talkingbook
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- Mar 5, 2023
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Starting with quality passive speakers, I am trying to put together a high fidelity, reliable, and inexpensive setup.
It is focused on streaming in digital content on demand.
Inexpensive = average component price is $250, spend < $1000.
Reliability will be achieved mostly through composition- each component should do one thing well. If something goes wrong with an individual component, it can be replaced at lower cost than an all-in-one system.
Wiim Pro - Digital receiver $150
SMSL D-6 - DAC $160
Topping PA5 - Amplifier $350
In this setup that is aiming for inexpensive, the PA5 a splurge, but the amplifier part of the setup seems to inherently cost the most and this one has amazing value at it price point. The PA5 also has some reported reliability issues, although it seems if bought from Apos a dud can be returned easily enough. This newb is open up to other suggestions here
The Wiim Pro seems to be in at an entirely different price point than other options for digital streaming that supports streaming including Airplay 2, Chromecast, and Roon (support planned in a software upgrade). It produces bit-perfect output with the digital out, you just need a separate DAC since its own DAC is mediocre.
The SMSL D-6 seems to be the cheapest DAC that scores well and has balanced outputs. Balanced outputs are favored for reliability and not having to worry about the potential for ground loop noise. The D-6 is also favored because it has a remote control for volume and a knob. We need to figure out how to control volume in this setup and prevent overdrive and damaging our speakers. This can happen when there is an issue with the DAC and it gets reset to 100% output. So we can solve this by setting the PA5 to a constant level that doesn't overdrive the speakers when the DAC is at 100% output. We then control the volume by attenuating the DAC with the remote/knob. The Topping E50 would be a step up in audio quality. However, it doesn't have a physical knob (but does have a remote)- this goes towards reliability if the remote stops working or if it is mis-placed.
This setup can be built up in pieces over time.
* Hook an existing analog source up to the amplifier
* The Wiim Pro has its own DAC (not good, I know) that can be used until the SMSL D-6 is received
* Alternatively, no WiiM pro and receive bluetooth audio or digital inputs at the SMSL D-6
As per the above, it is possible to add additional digital inputs at the SMSL D-6 and also at the Wiim Pro (it has a digital input). Inputting at the Wiim Pro seems preferable for having a coherent control point if you just want to add a single input to the mix. However, I don't know if the SMSL D-6 Bluetooth connection will end up being better, worse, or the same as the Wiim Pro's.
Edit: preferring SMSL D-6 (thanks staticV3!) over the Topping E50 and added some more detail
It is focused on streaming in digital content on demand.
Inexpensive = average component price is $250, spend < $1000.
Reliability will be achieved mostly through composition- each component should do one thing well. If something goes wrong with an individual component, it can be replaced at lower cost than an all-in-one system.
Wiim Pro - Digital receiver $150
SMSL D-6 - DAC $160
Topping PA5 - Amplifier $350
In this setup that is aiming for inexpensive, the PA5 a splurge, but the amplifier part of the setup seems to inherently cost the most and this one has amazing value at it price point. The PA5 also has some reported reliability issues, although it seems if bought from Apos a dud can be returned easily enough. This newb is open up to other suggestions here
The Wiim Pro seems to be in at an entirely different price point than other options for digital streaming that supports streaming including Airplay 2, Chromecast, and Roon (support planned in a software upgrade). It produces bit-perfect output with the digital out, you just need a separate DAC since its own DAC is mediocre.
The SMSL D-6 seems to be the cheapest DAC that scores well and has balanced outputs. Balanced outputs are favored for reliability and not having to worry about the potential for ground loop noise. The D-6 is also favored because it has a remote control for volume and a knob. We need to figure out how to control volume in this setup and prevent overdrive and damaging our speakers. This can happen when there is an issue with the DAC and it gets reset to 100% output. So we can solve this by setting the PA5 to a constant level that doesn't overdrive the speakers when the DAC is at 100% output. We then control the volume by attenuating the DAC with the remote/knob. The Topping E50 would be a step up in audio quality. However, it doesn't have a physical knob (but does have a remote)- this goes towards reliability if the remote stops working or if it is mis-placed.
This setup can be built up in pieces over time.
* Hook an existing analog source up to the amplifier
* The Wiim Pro has its own DAC (not good, I know) that can be used until the SMSL D-6 is received
* Alternatively, no WiiM pro and receive bluetooth audio or digital inputs at the SMSL D-6
As per the above, it is possible to add additional digital inputs at the SMSL D-6 and also at the Wiim Pro (it has a digital input). Inputting at the Wiim Pro seems preferable for having a coherent control point if you just want to add a single input to the mix. However, I don't know if the SMSL D-6 Bluetooth connection will end up being better, worse, or the same as the Wiim Pro's.
Edit: preferring SMSL D-6 (thanks staticV3!) over the Topping E50 and added some more detail
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