Digital Audio delivery options are still a bit of a mystery to me. Unless I’m missing something, the dominant DSD enabled DAC input is USB B. I have no desire to make a desktop/laptop part of my digital front end but want a way to play stored ripped and downloaded DSD content. Aside from DACs and sources featuring I2S, what are the options?
This is a complicated question. Rather than thinking in generalities, I suggest that you look at specific pieces of equipment you may be interested in. For example, if you have a DAC that you like, you should look at streamers whose outputs are compatible with your DAC. If you are in the market for new gear, you have the option of purchasing separate boxes or a unit that includes both a streamer and a DAC. The latter eliminate any connectivity issues but at the price of some flexibility.
For any equipment you are considering, check carefully the data rates that are supported on each input or output. For instance, a streamer might support DSD 256 via I2S But only DSD 64 on a coax input.
Then there is the question of where your files are stored. They might be on a NAS (as mine are) which will connect via ethernet. Some streamers allow you to hook up external drives with your music files. Some streamers have Wi-Fi connections (you do need good strong Wi-Fi for this to work).
If you give us some information about equipment that you currently own, how your files will be stored, and your approximate budget, people will be able to give you more specific recommendations.
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Another question, do you need to transfer from one device to another or can it be a stand alone machine?
The Eversolo A6, A8, or A10 comes to mind.
A Grimm MU2 comes to mind.
(after listening to the MU2 I can no longer listen to the A6).
I listen to the regular cd layer of cd’s transfered to the MU2 via toslink (non dsd).
It sounds fantastic.
For dsd, I have a usb flash drive connected to a USB slot on the back of the MU2. I still have to try to transfer music directly onto the internal hard drive of the MU2.
DSD from usb flash drives sound fantastic.
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Many thanks for your thoughts and questions. I appreciate your help.
I’ll start by saying my grand ambitions have been moderated by the reality that I don’t possess golden ears. Moving forward the budget is rather modest.
The current setup is a Blue Sound Vault feeding a Schiit Bifrost DAC into a Schiit Lyr HP amp/pre and alternately a Schiit Aegir or NuPrime AMG STA amp feeding Spatial M4 Sapphires.
The Schiit stuff was my desk top setup, but was replaced by a Sprout, and became the holding pattern after selling a GCD an M1200s. My biggest gripe is a rather flat sound stage and presentation that is a bit too bright. Speaker setup has been optimized for my ears.
I suspect that discernible improvements can be had with a new streamer and DAC.
Work is calling so more details later, but I’m thinking an Airlens would be a good place to start. I think an AKM based DAC like the Audio by Van Alstine Digital Pre would be more agreeable but I2S equipped Denafrips comes to mind as well as NuPrime AMG DAC.
The DMP-A8 would be a perfect one box solution but I think I can do better within a budget of $3-5K to update streamer, DAC, and pre.
Storage requirements are modest, unlikely to fill a 2TB drive. Aside from some Octave stuff, mainly CD layers, my collection is 80’s CD that sound terrible.
Thanks for making my think about it a bit differently. I do need to consider system architecture before concerning myself too much with component specific connectivity.
I don’t have a problem copying/transferring files to USB storage or onboard storage like Eversolo and others enable. I don’t need Roon and can see where a NAS could be a longer term and relatively inexpensive solution so long as I consider a modular approach to system build out.
I’m not sure about Airlens functionality (specifcally Qobuz/mconnect) but I really like the simplicity and focus on doing one thing and doing it well. Paying for component capabilities that I don’t intend to use is something of a non starter (eg streaming dac where all I intend use is the streamer output)
The I2S concern comes from wanting to take full advantage of what the AL does best - somewhat irrespective of my ability to discern coax v I2S sq. The USB B / DSD question comes from a similar place.
Thanks again.