Hi,
My main installation is based upon KEF speakers + Cambridge 650A + Cambridge 740c (CD Player with DAC included)
Currently, I stream via my NVIDIA Shield, combined with a usb to spdif converter with a TI chipset (which limit sound to 20bit/48khz).
Initially, I was mainly using Spotify source (and still using my already bought CDs), through Spotify connect integration mainly (managed directly through Spotify app on any device).
With Amazon Music HD arrival in France, I tried their service and was surprised of the improvement (even if my installation is old).
However, to make it work, I only can use it through android cast function (Don’t know the impact on the sound). In any case, even with this integration, audio experience is really better (wider, more details).
So it motivates me to see how can I improve it with:
- Amazon Music HD service will be main source
- I will keep my amp + speakers (+ the CD player I won’t put to trash but maybe I have to admit that I could remove it with all my old CD as well)
- I have iOS and Android devices at home, as well as MacBook pro laptops
- investment must be scaled to my existing (a 2000 euro DAC is not consistant with my installation)
I read that the NVIDIA shield USB output upsamples / changes the PCM data so it can’t work in bitperfect mode.
At the time being, my main orientation is to move to a Topping E30 DAC + BlueSound Node 2i.
Option 2/ find a Chromecast audio on ebay and combine with a Topping E30 DAC.
Is it a good idea or would it be better to buy a better / more expensive all-in-one digital player like a Cambridge CX2N? Twice the price of a BlueSound + Topping E30. I’m not sure that I would get extreme improvement : I saw that the DAC chipset seems to be similar to what I have on my cambridge 740c, equivalent to Camdridge DAC Magic, even if probably the power supply is nice.
Option 3 (the cheapest) : Chromecast audio + connect to Cambridge 740c stuff (Wolfson DAC)
I try to find the right compromise between app integration / musicality / price.
For those who could propose RaspPI stuff, I don’t want to spend too much time to configure it / fight with app integration. (Prefers something easier to use but working for everybody at home including my kids)
My main installation is based upon KEF speakers + Cambridge 650A + Cambridge 740c (CD Player with DAC included)
Currently, I stream via my NVIDIA Shield, combined with a usb to spdif converter with a TI chipset (which limit sound to 20bit/48khz).
Initially, I was mainly using Spotify source (and still using my already bought CDs), through Spotify connect integration mainly (managed directly through Spotify app on any device).
With Amazon Music HD arrival in France, I tried their service and was surprised of the improvement (even if my installation is old).
However, to make it work, I only can use it through android cast function (Don’t know the impact on the sound). In any case, even with this integration, audio experience is really better (wider, more details).
So it motivates me to see how can I improve it with:
- Amazon Music HD service will be main source
- I will keep my amp + speakers (+ the CD player I won’t put to trash but maybe I have to admit that I could remove it with all my old CD as well)
- I have iOS and Android devices at home, as well as MacBook pro laptops
- investment must be scaled to my existing (a 2000 euro DAC is not consistant with my installation)
I read that the NVIDIA shield USB output upsamples / changes the PCM data so it can’t work in bitperfect mode.
At the time being, my main orientation is to move to a Topping E30 DAC + BlueSound Node 2i.
Option 2/ find a Chromecast audio on ebay and combine with a Topping E30 DAC.
Is it a good idea or would it be better to buy a better / more expensive all-in-one digital player like a Cambridge CX2N? Twice the price of a BlueSound + Topping E30. I’m not sure that I would get extreme improvement : I saw that the DAC chipset seems to be similar to what I have on my cambridge 740c, equivalent to Camdridge DAC Magic, even if probably the power supply is nice.
Option 3 (the cheapest) : Chromecast audio + connect to Cambridge 740c stuff (Wolfson DAC)
I try to find the right compromise between app integration / musicality / price.
For those who could propose RaspPI stuff, I don’t want to spend too much time to configure it / fight with app integration. (Prefers something easier to use but working for everybody at home including my kids)