Kallax-Fi of course! Introducing: Kallax-Fi | Darko.Audio
Honestly, I’m good with the standard component width but I really appreciated Darko’s take on the subject.
Thanks for the link, a cute fun article.
Steven
Take a look at the Teac Reference 505 series as the combo of the NT-505 and the AX-505 may get you what you are looking for. The NT-505 runs off of the Lumin platform but if you are using Roon that won’t matter and the integrated is using Ncore modules for the amp section. I have been using the NT-505 as a streamer/dac in my Family Room system for almost two years now.
i think 220mm wide 1u or 2u tall is a good size. if the industrial design is good/pleasant, it will fit well in mid-century, modern minimalist decors. if one needs to expand with another half width unit to add up to 440mm wide, that would be fine - but I’m trying to have fewer units and less volume used by “stuff”.
While that’s true because I’m working with a legacy AVR, I’d love it if the AVR were half width as well Or if the AVR had the same performance for 2 stereo channels that match the Strata, then I wouldn’t need another unit.
@dawkinsj recommendation of the NT-505 looks like a very good recommendation. One of my kids has a TEAC system. They are of course a massive company in both the professional and consumer markets. Huge range of functionality.
I’ve only been looking at compact 2-channel streaming systems. I have no idea about AV receivers. I’m sure other people do.
The NT-505 works like a champ as a streamer/dac combined with the Kinki Studio Ex-M1+ integrated and Nola KO speakers. I’m listening to the combo now streaming Qobuz while sitting outside on the screened porch where the temperature is 70 degrees.
Bel Canto produces 216 mm gear of all sorts! You can get hi end racks for them from Atacama and HiFi Racks!
I own the Teac NT-505 in my main system and it is an amazing streamer/dac for the price. But it is not an amplifier all in one.
I really don’t think it can be beaten under its $2k USD price. Dual monaural, dual power supplies (torrroidal), dual AK 4497, dual onboard clocks, capable of receiving 10MHz external clock for additional performance, full MQA, DSD512 (there are $7k DACs that can’t do this), fully balanced, LUMIN operating system (rock solid), Roon ready, Esoteric trickle-down (Teac is parent of Esoteric), fantastic analog output section, … yeah, I love my NT-505.
It is a worthy partner for amps that far exceed the quality of the Teac compact integrated. I pair it with an Audio Research integrated and Spendor D7 currently, and my sense is that the ARC is the weakest link. The NT-505 is that good.
As another point of comparison, I own Cambridge Azur 851n in secondary system and the NT -505 blows it away. Not even close. And 851n is no slouch - product of year multiple times in some of the Brit mags since it’s introduction.
NT-505 I would say can easily hold its own in systems with $10k speakers and $10k amplification (integrated or pre/pwr combo). With the rapid advances in digital (relative to speakers, amps), I felt it the perfect complement to spending more in those other areas for a kickass system where budget still matters.
The step up the NAD path is the C658 streamer/DAC/pre.
You get their fantastic software/app and balanced outputs as well as unbalanced, sub-out as well.
Also has DIRAC room correction DSP software. Roon of course.Pretty stacked package.
All you have to do is find an AV receiver with balanced stereo inputs!
I’d not looked at this as it’s more than I’ll be spending, but it’s very well reviewed. I’m almost tempted.
Funny thing is this is where I started on the thought process that led me to the M10. C658 - > C 388 BlueOS 2i > M10.
My thinking has just changed as I realised my Innuos Roon server has an unused high quality usb output with its own linear power supply, so if I move it to my office (which does not need any rewiring and will take 10 minutes) I can plug it into a DAC/amplifier as the Innous works as a Roon player as well. Cambridge Audio have a factory refurbished store with 2 year warranty, and an as new CXA81 can be mine for £800 ($1,000). It has a really good Class A/B 80w amplifier with lots of headroom. There’s nothing like a bargain.
Can’t
We will not be able to sleep tonight.
@stevensegal - have you looked at the Arcam SA30? I had written it off because of the effective price difference but as I look at it more closely - it’s approach to handling streaming (ie. Roon endpoint, uPNP player) may be ideal… Now I have to see how it does on the audio performance front
Not wanting a full-width unit, I’ve just bought a full-with unit. A Cambridge Audio CXA81 for £900 (which includes 20% sales tax in the UK). It’s normally £1,000, but Cambridge Audio have a sister chain of about 70 audio stores and they sell refurbished units through an eBay store. So it’s probably a shop display unit restored to as-new condition with very little use and a full 2-year warranty. The invoice was direct from Cambridge Audio.
It’s the most powerful integrated amplifier with a DAC that they do.
Compares to our local price for the Strata of £3,000.
The thing looks new, original internal packaging in a plain brown box. Set up using usb feed from my Innuos server (Innuos can also act as a streamer working via Roon), which is very good as the usb output has a separate linear power supply.
I wanted a better amp compared to the Bluesound and this is way, way better.
“It’s the most powerful integrated amplifier with a DAC that they do”
Edge A is rated 100W at 8 ohms (measured 145W to 8 ohm by Stereophile), and doubles to 200W at 4 ohm, and has a DAC, so, …
Maybe you meant the quote with respect to the sister chain, not Cambridge Audio, but CXA81 far from the most powerful integrated that CA has with a DAC
Wasn’t aware that they did an integrated unit in the Edge range.