I’m working on updating/upgrading the digital front end starting with the streamer if what I’m considering would be an improvement. Otherwise I’ll start with the DAC.
I currently have a BlueSound Vault 2i. Any thoughts on if the Innuous PULSEmini would be an improvement over the Vault or any BlueSound streamer or more of a lateral move?
Others that might be considered are the Eversolo DMP A8 and perhaps the new BS Icon but my focus is on streamer quality first with native Radio Paradise player being the only additional requirement.
The DMP A8 obviously checks a lot of other boxes and the Icon quietly added DSD support to the BS lineup. Either would add a lot of flexibility but I’d go with a dedicated streamer like the PULSEmini to get quality over quantity.
I have an Airlens plugged in right now using mconnect. The AL works fine but mconnect doesn’t include the Radio Paradise player. Individual streams can be added to vTuner but they lack all the player functionality including track info. I never intended to use additional hardware or software but did try both Roon and jriver with the same experience.
In addition Qobuz gapless playback is spotty at best through mconnect. Gapless works well using jplayer, which could be a lower cost alternative to Roon but is no help wrt Radio Paradise.
I’ve gotten spoiled by the BlueSound functionality and Radio Paradise is my main streaming go to.
I’m going to apologize in advance for rambling on. The short answer is my current DAC is a Schiit Bifrost 2 multibit.
Since selling my GCD and M1200’s this time last year I’ve been using my retired desktop set up which includes the Bifrost DAC and Lyr+ headphone amp/pre. The combination actually sounds pretty good but I always intended to replace both - which is probably my first mistake.
It’s only lately, since reading up on the Airlens, that I considered my system might be limited by the streamer as much as the DAC.
The basic thought is if the streamer doesn’t make a difference in a system that already sounds pretty good maybe my upgrade path can be short and easy. That said, I kinda maybe heard some improvement with the AL plugged in that I can only describe as just cleaner - maybe what some refer to as lifting a veil.
But I could just as easily be convinced that expectation bias and short term audio memory are just as likely as any audible improvement that I might detect. Could I pick out the AL in a good blind test? Unlikely and I’m not equipped to find out.
Regardless DAC’s on the current short list are the new Schiit Gungnir 2, the Audio by Van Alstine Digital Pre and perhaps the Eversolo DMP 8A but only if the streamer is better than the BlueSound
The Gungnir is based on the TI DAC8812C mutibit which I understand is R2R architecture and appears to be the same basic architecture as the Bifrost. The AVA is based on the latest and same AKM chips also used in the DMP A8.
The long list extends to a Denafrips Pontus and maybe a PSA offering or NuPrime AMG DAC if I want to reconsider ESS again after hearing what an AKM DAC can do.
Honestly, most of it’s a bunch of mumbo jumbo to me that probably won’t make a hootin’ bit of difference to anything other than my bank account. But I convinced myself that I heard differences between audio clips of the Pontus and some other DAC - online (New Record Day), through YouTube videos and through my iPad.
It’s almost laughable that I might claim to have heard a difference considering I struggle to hear in my system what others claim to be obvious. But FOMO is a powerful thing…
Now I get a better picture. Personally, I own two Innuos Zen MK3 units ( I have two homes ) feeding into an PS DSD MK 1 dac. I really love the Sense app and the entire Innuos experience. But the dac is super important. I did own for several years a Schiit Gungnir multi bit dac but it pales in comparison to the PS Audio dac. My best suggestion is upgrade you dac.
Thanks for the clarification and I suppose you’re considering the Grimm MU2 an overkill one-solution.
I have no experience with headphones, sorry.
Anyway I can confirm that Innuos products I owned (and still use) are highly recommended and sound very well, In that case I also recommend using their Sense App, sonically speaking and user friendly. They are also launching a Radio implementation like Roon, if of interest.
Thanks much gents. I’m getting the sense that the answer is both, but start with the DAC if I have to do one at a time.
I probably should have also said that I am trying to address a specific short coming of the current set up, which is sound stage layering. I get good depth and the speakers are mostly invisible, but the stage is fairly flat. I’d say the main issue is vocals seem somewhat recessed.
I can’t say any or all of this is gear though. My next appointment is with an audiologist to get my hearing tested for the first time in 30 years.
I have used the BlueSound Node 2i, no longer installed. It is a wonderful component, and their operating system is a true pleasure to use. I have used it into a Hegel H120 using the Hegel internal DAC, much imroved sonnics over the Node 2i. I’ve also used the Node 2i briefly into my PSA DSD Mk 1 DAC, a nice improvement over the Hegel internal DAC. Having an INNuos ZEN Mk3 and INNuos ZENith Mk3 into PSA DSD DAC 1 I can say with confidence stream with the INNuos is a major step up, and heartily recommend the INNuos components over BlueSound. Yes, there are better, did someone mention GRIMM MU1/MU2? The INNuos SENSE app is a breeze to work with as well. It will all depend on your DAC which is where I’d start with the upgrades. Currently used or refurbished DSD DAC Mk1 units may be had at a significant discount over retail.
My recommendation, have a plan and get the best streamer and DAC you can afford.
If you’re curious about whether or not the A8 may be an easy solution to both your DAC and streamer issues then just order one from Amazon and try it for 30 days. If it works out and does what you want both sound and software wise then problem solved. If not then just send it back and keep researching. If access to all of the major streaming services and full Radio Paradise built in is what you’re looking for then it may be your answer.
Many thanks for sharing your experience. It’s quite helpful.
The current system components come from a desktop setup that was retired in favor of a Sprout. They were repurposed after selling the GCD and M1200 a year ago when I realized I was heading down an undesirable path.
BS Vault 2i > Schiit Bifrost 2 DAC > Schiit Lyr + hp amp/pre > Schiit Aegir / NuPrime AMG STA park amps on rotation > Spatial M4 Sapphires. Blue Jeans IC, Moon Audio Black Dragon speaker cables. 11x14x8 asymmetric space.
Grimm has been mentioned but I am most definitely swimming in shallower waters.
That’s likely next on my list. It certainly checks off a lot of boxes and it would, in all likelihood, be good enough.
The only hesitation is comments from people whose opinions I respect suggesting the streamer itself isn’t necessarily an improvement over BlueSound. If that’s the case I’m going to struggle with the quantity of features that might not matter over quality of the basics that would. FOMO sucks.
I have a relatively modest budget but for basically twice the DMP A8 asking price the PULSEmini might pair nicely with something like the Audio by Van Alstine DVA Digital Pre that uses the same AKM DAC set as the DMP A8.
That’s probably sage advice but I did fail to mention that the Schiit stack is temporary. The amps will likely be the last to change, but the DAC and pre will go. But given a budget of about $3K for DAC and pre, BlueSound may still be good enough.
My suspicion is that the build quality of the A8 starting with the casework and the twin power supplies gives it an advantage right from the start. Other than that I’m not sure what you mean by quality of features over qualities of basics. I’ve also followed your thread on AC so I’m aware of the suggestions there too. The Pulsemini is a highly regarded unit no doubt but it really improves with the extra power supply so there is that plus since I’m not familiar with the Sense app not sure if it includes built in Radio Paradise or you would have to use Air Play for it from the RP app. Other than what I’ve read on AC no knowledge at all of Frank’s DACs. But I do know you can buy a boat load of other AKM based DACs for a lot less than what they are asking for a unit with a preamp module you don’t need. Again all my two cents.
Point well taken. Thank you. In some review a few years back I read that, for the money, there are much better cars than an A series Mercedes. But sometimes people who aspire to the pointy star will accept an otherwise inferior car. That analogy may not hold here but the idea is likely valid in my case.
I meant doing one thing and doing it really well, ie streamer, vs feature set and/or doing a decent job at many things. Is it better to focus on getting the best you can that does that one thing well or accept that good enough is good enough and take advantage of a device that offers useful features even if they’re not required.
The DMP A8 offers a lot of features that aren’t required but that I’d make use of at some point like HDMI, onboard storage, and DSP (that might allow me to get rid of yet another box-miniDSP SHD). But what I’m focusing on is streamer quality. The reality is either BS or Eversolo streamer are likely perfectly adequate for me.
On AC you’re probably the one that suggested the DMP A8 route a month ago. You can see how far I’ve gotten, eliminating the AL.
This has really just become an unhealthy obsession. Somethings I struggle with have no answers. It’s really just time to sh!# or get off the pot.
BTW we learned a couple of daze ago in the AVA circle that the DVA doesn’t have a preamp module, just digital volume control. So it’s just a DAC.
I stop to pick up pennies all the time so you’re 0.02 is worth a lot. Thanks much.
