Buy a streamer with or without a DAC?

[Mike_Trueman]

Since i can not connect my streaming amp (NAD M10 V3) to my headphone amp (SMSL DO400) in a normal way. Thats why i want to add a small streamer to my DAC/Headphone amp.
Now my question is how can i bypass a streamer DAC? Is it always bypassed when using a digital output? Are there good streamers without a DAC?

Here are some small streamer options that i want to add to my headphone amplifier.

• NAD SC1
• WiiM Pro+
• BLUESOUND NODE NANO
• AUNE N5 EVO

 

[staticV3]

Now my question is how can i bypass a streamer DAC? Is it always bypassed when using a digital output?

Yes.

Are there good streamers without a DAC?

Quality of Raspberry Pi4 USB For Streaming

This is an analysis of Raspberry Pi4 USB signal quality to drive a budget but good DAC without impact on its performance. Traditionally it is thought that one needs a high-end "streamer" to accomplish the same. Member @DrCWO kindly sent me the above platform for testing. It is a standard...

www.audiosciencereview.com

But if you want something easier to use, then there's nothing wrong with buying e.g. a WiiM Mini, using its Digital output, and just ignoring that it has an internal DAC.

 

[Purité Audio]

Just take the digital output from the streamer, rather than the analogue.
Keith

 

[Mike_Trueman]

Yes.

Quality of Raspberry Pi4 USB For Streaming

This is an analysis of Raspberry Pi4 USB signal quality to drive a budget but good DAC without impact on its performance. Traditionally it is thought that one needs a high-end "streamer" to accomplish the same. Member @DrCWO kindly sent me the above platform for testing. It is a standard...

www.audiosciencereview.com

But if you want something easier to use, then there's nothing wrong with buying e.g. a WiiM Mini, using its Digital output, and just ignoring that it has an internal DAC.

Maybe i need to buy a BLUESOUND NODE NANO then to keep it simpel because i have allready bluos devices and apps.
Thanks for the feedback.

I am going to test it first with my andriod phone now and a PO100/2024 that i have laying around.
I ordered a USB-B-to USB-C cable because the DO400 only have a USB-B connection.

 

[Hear Here]

Since i can not connect my streaming amp (NAD M10 V3) to my headphone amp (SMSL DO400) in a normal way. Thats why i want to add a small streamer to my DAC/Headphone amp.
Now my question is how can i bypass a streamer DAC? Is it always bypassed when using a digital output? Are there good streamers without a DAC?

Here are some small streamer options that i want to add to my headphone amplifier.

• NAD SC1
• WiiM Pro+
• BLUESOUND NODE NANO
• AUNE N5 EVO

View attachment 496472

A couple of questions.

Is the headphone output from the M10 not good enough to drive the headphones satisfactorily?

Is not, and you want to use a better headphone amp, could you not use an output from the M10 (digital or analogue) to feed your headphone amp?

Either way, no need for a stand-alone streamer, with or without DAC.

An alternative solution - have you considered the M33? This is a fabulous box of tricks and may (I don't know) have a better headphone oupput quality compared with the M10. It is certainly better than the M10 in other respects and can now be found at bargain prices since the M33 V2 has been announced. Just a thought.

PS - Looking at the M10 spec, I see no headphone out. That's your problem! Looks like the M33 may be your ideal solution. I have the M33 V1 and it really is a great unit. The V2 will be released soon with a marginally better DAC, a second generation Purifi amp, a higher output level for Sub Outs, but very little esse as far as I can see. Look around soon if you consider the V1 as an option as they are being offered as demo or display units by a number of Sevenoaks branches at truly bargain prices. Good luck

 

[JeremyFife]

It's hard to look past the WiiM products for streaming these days, I'd second the recommendation for a WiiM Mini: digital out bypasses its DAC so you get bit-perfect output with the option of PEQ

 

[Mike_Trueman]

A couple of questions.

Is the headphone output from the M10 not good enough to drive the headphones satisfactorily?

Is not, and you want to use a better headphone amp, could you not use an output from the M10 (digital or analogue) to feed your headphone amp?

Either way, no need for a stand-alone streamer, with or without DAC.

An alternative solution - have you considered the M33? This is a fabulous box of tricks and may (I don't know) have a better headphone oupput quality compared with the M10. It is certainly better than the M10 in other respects and can now be found at bargain prices since the M33 V2 has been announced. Just a thought.

PS - Looking at the M10 spec, I see no headphone out. That's your problem! Looks like the M33 may be your ideal solution. I have the M33 V1 and it really is a great unit. The V2 will be released soon with a marginally better DAC, a second generation Purifi amp, a higher output level for Sub Outs, but very little esse as far as I can see. Look around soon if you consider the V1 as an option as they are being offered as demo or display units by a number of Sevenoaks branches at truly bargain prices. Good luck

I am very happy with my NAD M10 V3 with KEF speakers en SVS subwoofer, i use it everyday and it still sounds much better then my DO400/S660S2 setup. So no i will not sell it.

 

[Hear Here]

I am very happy with my NAD M10 V3 with KEF speakers en SVS subwoofer, i use it everyday and it still sounds much better then my DO400/S660S2 setup. So no i will not sell it.

I'm pleased you like the M10 - I'm sure it's a great all-in-one, but you have highlighted a problem that you are thinking of overcoming by buying more boxes of equipment. My suggestion is to consider the "even better" M33 that includes a headphone output, so would save you the expense and untidiness of multiple boxes and associated cables and an extra control apps (unless you get another BluOS streamer) . But it's your system and your money and my suggestion was intended to be helpful, nothing more.