Need DAC advice for 2.0 home stereo system

[Fa11en.Universe]

Hey, guys
Need advice about upgrading my setup with adding DAC to it. I've never used any of the external DAC, but I know how it works.
Usually, I listen to my vinyl setup and I love it. However, streaming is more practical. Right now, I stream music from Chromecast TV or old Chromecast Audio. Both devices connected to my amp with 2RCA - 3.5mm jack. I know, it's a BAD type of transferring music.
So, I want to buy a DAC to connect my TV with optical cable, laptop with USB and maybe in near future, buy a streamer and link it too.

I read many thoughts, where external DAC always better than streaming player with the DAC. So I am curious, is it make sense to buy 2 separate devices?
I'm planing to spent 200-800$ for it.
Music source - Mostly it's Spotify or lossless Apple Music or lossless FLAC from my laptop.

My current setup:
Stereo integrated amplifier - NAD 375BEE
Speakers - Canton Ergo RC-L w/ black box
CD - NAD T535
4K TV with Chromecast 4K
Chromecast Audio

Wires:
CD - Amp - Chord Clearway
Speaker cable - Audioquest BedRock, bi-wired

 

[JSmith]

Chromecast Audio

As a DAC, it's ok really;

Review and Measurements of Chromecast Audio Analog Performance

This is a follow up to my review and measurements of Google Chromecast Audio's digital performance. As mentioned there, the Chromecast audio is a streaming device with integrated DAC. In the other review, I measured its Toslink digital output for usage with an external DAC. Here, I will be...

www.audiosciencereview.com

JSmith

 

[staticV3]

I read many thoughts, where external DAC always better than streaming player with the DAC. So I am curious, is it make sense to buy 2 separate devices?

Eversolo and WiiM make excellent streamers with equally excellent DACs built-in, no need for an external one:

WiiM Pro Plus Streamer Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the WiiM Pro Plus streamer, DAC and preamplifier with Bluetooth support. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $219. While the case is plastic, it still "looks the part" as the Brits would say relative to other more famous brands of...

www.audiosciencereview.com

WiiM Ultra Streamer Preamp Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the WiiM Ultra network streamer, DAC, phono stage and preamplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $329. Physical attribute are modern and attractive enough. Alas, I can't say the same thing about the graphical interface. Icons seem...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Eversolo DMP-A6 Streamer Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Eversolo DMP-A6 Streamer and balanced DAC. It was sent to me by the company. I don't have the price but see it on sale for US $850. The DMP-A6 design is absolutely gorgeous. A large, high contrast LCD allows it to show realistic visualizations...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[JeremyFife]

Hi, agree with @JSmith that if you are looking for a sound quality improvement then you are probably just fine to stay with the Chromecast.
There is a difference between equipment that measures better, and whether that improvement actually sounds any better - whether the improvement makes an audible change.

If you want to add a streamer, your laptop is already a good option. No need to change that unless you want a separate streamer (and to free up the laptop). It's really hard to avoid the WiiM products for streaming, although you have to go up to the WiiM Ultra (approx. £350) to get USB input.
Actually, the WiiM Ultra has HDMI Arc input, which might be a good solution for your TV too.
The DAC in either the WiiM Pro Plus or the WiiM Ultra is more than good enough - no need for a separate box.

 

[Fa11en.Universe]

As a DAC, it's ok really;

Review and Measurements of Chromecast Audio Analog Performance

This is a follow up to my review and measurements of Google Chromecast Audio's digital performance. As mentioned there, the Chromecast audio is a streaming device with integrated DAC. In the other review, I measured its Toslink digital output for usage with an external DAC. Here, I will be...

www.audiosciencereview.com

JSmith

True, but I want to level up my sound with something better. Moreover, I'm going to stream lossless, what Chromecast Audio doesn't support.

Eversolo and WiiM make excellent streamers with equally excellent DACs built-in, no need for an external one:

WiiM Pro Plus Streamer Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the WiiM Pro Plus streamer, DAC and preamplifier with Bluetooth support. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $219. While the case is plastic, it still "looks the part" as the Brits would say relative to other more famous brands of...

www.audiosciencereview.com

WiiM Ultra Streamer Preamp Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the WiiM Ultra network streamer, DAC, phono stage and preamplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $329. Physical attribute are modern and attractive enough. Alas, I can't say the same thing about the graphical interface. Icons seem...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Eversolo DMP-A6 Streamer Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Eversolo DMP-A6 Streamer and balanced DAC. It was sent to me by the company. I don't have the price but see it on sale for US $850. The DMP-A6 design is absolutely gorgeous. A large, high contrast LCD allows it to show realistic visualizations...

www.audiosciencereview.com

For now, I'm looking at Wiim Pro/Pro+ as an affordable streamer, but as a DAC - I want something better.
Eversolo seems like a choice, but It is a little bit pricey in my country, and I'm not sure that sound quality will be great overall, comparing for example to cheaper Topping E70 or SMSL D6s

 

[JeremyFife]

Cool, but look at the review for the WiiM Pro Plus (not the basic model). You don't need a better DAC than that, no-one does, unless there is a specific feature that you really need.

 

[Old_School_Brad]

True, but I want to level up my sound with something better. Moreover, I'm going to stream lossless, what Chromecast Audio doesn't support.

For now, I'm looking at Wiim Pro/Pro+ as an affordable streamer, but as a DAC - I want something better.
Eversolo seems like a choice, but It is a little bit pricey in my country, and I'm not sure that sound quality will be great overall, comparing for example to cheaper Topping E70 or SMSL D6s

The Chromecast Audio supports up to 24 bit 96 kHz.

 

[staticV3]

Moreover, I'm going to stream lossless, what Chromecast Audio doesn't support.

Chromecast Audio absolutely supports lossless:

Review and Measurements of Chromecast Audio Digital Output

Are there any measurements of analog output? Haven't found any, and I wonder if it's worth getting a D50 just to get some improvement. https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-measurements-of-chromecast-audio-analog-performance.4562/

www.audiosciencereview.com

For now, I'm looking at Wiim Pro/Pro+ as an affordable streamer, but as a DAC - I want something better.

The Pro+ and Ultra have fully transparent DACs built-in.
Searching for something "better" is a fool's errand and likely a waste of money.

 

[Joffy1780]

True, but I want to level up my sound with something better. Moreover, I'm going to stream lossless, what Chromecast Audio doesn't support.

For now, I'm looking at Wiim Pro/Pro+ as an affordable streamer, but as a DAC - I want something better.
Eversolo seems like a choice, but It is a little bit pricey in my country, and I'm not sure that sound quality will be great overall, comparing for example to cheaper Topping E70 or SMSL D6s

What are you looking for from your DAC that the Wiim Pro+/Ultra are lacking?
Is it just a case of wanting the absolute best measurements for your DAC or are there features/options you need which the Wiims lack?

 

[Falco]

It seems your amplifier doesn't support any digital inputs. So if you want to optimize, you could think of buying something like a SMSL SU-1 and connect the Chromecast Audio with an optical cable to that. And then the SU-1 to your amplifier and also your computer via USB. You can then select the preferred input source.

If have two of them in operation as USB DAC to a Raspberry Pi with moOde OS. Quite happy with the sound quality and also the options that brings.

By the way, there's a setting in the Chromecast Audio to enable high dynamic range, when you connect the optical cable I believe it's activated automatically. However, it's not activated automatically when connected via jack/RCA.

 

[Old_School_Brad]

It seems your amplifier doesn't support any digital inputs. So if you want to optimize, you could think of buying something like a SMSL SU-1 and connect the Chromecast Audio with an optical cable to that. And then the SU-1 to your amplifier and also your computer via USB. You can then select the preferred input source.

If have two of them in operation as USB DAC to a Raspberry Pi with moOde OS. Quite happy with the sound quality and also the options that brings.

By the way, there's a setting in the Chromecast Audio to enable high dynamic range, when you connect the optical cable I believe it's activated automatically. However, it's not activated automatically when connected via jack/RCA.

The HDR toggle is just a toggle between output voltages from the RCA / 3.5 jack.

 

[Fa11en.Universe]

It seems your amplifier doesn't support any digital inputs. So if you want to optimize, you could think of buying something like a SMSL SU-1 and connect the Chromecast Audio with an optical cable to that. And then the SU-1 to your amplifier and also your computer via USB. You can then select the preferred input source.

If have two of them in operation as USB DAC to a Raspberry Pi with moOde OS. Quite happy with the sound quality and also the options that brings.

By the way, there's a setting in the Chromecast Audio to enable high dynamic range, when you connect the optical cable I believe it's activated automatically. However, it's not activated automatically when connected via jack/RCA.

Look, I'm living with Chromecast Audio for 3 years. And yes, I've activated High Dynamic Range in Google Home since I plug Chromecast. This tiny streamer is really great piece of electronics, absolutely no complaint about it.
However, I want to go further. Splitting DAC and streamer is an idea to connect my CD player with optical cable directly into DAC. Also, I want something (streamer) to check quality bitrates from streaming services.
Anyway, I have Chromecast Audio and want something better, It could be 2 pieces, streamer + DAC, or it could be streamer with the DAC. But I want profit in sound.

 

[staticV3]

Look, I'm living with Chromecast Audio for 3 years. And yes, I've activated High Dynamic Range in Google Home since I plug Chromecast. This tiny streamer is really great piece of electronics, absolutely no complaint about it.
However, I want to go further. Splitting DAC and streamer is an idea to connect my CD player with optical cable directly into DAC. Also, I want something (streamer) to check quality bitrates from streaming services.
Anyway, I have Chromecast Audio and want something better, It could be 2 pieces, streamer + DAC, or it could be streamer with the DAC. But I want profit in sound.

When using the CCA's digital Optical output, you get bit-exact data output to your external DAC.

In this regard, no amount of money spent on a fancier streamer can improve upon it.

You can get support for more streaming services, an IR Remote, a nice display, built-in DSP, but for pure audio transmission quality, the CCA's Optical out is the end of the line.

 

[JeremyFife]

Look, I'm living with Chromecast Audio for 3 years. And yes, I've activated High Dynamic Range in Google Home since I plug Chromecast. This tiny streamer is really great piece of electronics, absolutely no complaint about it.
However, I want to go further. Splitting DAC and streamer is an idea to connect my CD player with optical cable directly into DAC. Also, I want something (streamer) to check quality bitrates from streaming services.
Anyway, I have Chromecast Audio and want something better, It could be 2 pieces, streamer + DAC, or it could be streamer with the DAC. But I want profit in sound.

Sometimes you just want a change, no harm in that

WiiM Ultra ... great streamer, audibly transparent DAC (nothing else can sound better) you can connect your CD plus a whole world of room correction / PEQ and subwoofer integration.
That should satisfy you for a bit

and... the electronics won't improve your sound but the room correction may make a big difference.

Enjoy

 

[Fa11en.Universe]

When using the CCA's digital Optical output, you get bit-exact data output to your external DAC.

In this regard, no amount of money spent on a fancier streamer can improve upon it.

You can get support for more streaming services, an IR Remote, a nice display, built-in DSP, but for pure audio transmission quality, the CCA's Optical out is the end of the line.

Cool, looks like a plan to start from.
Actually, I want to get GOOD DAC first to try it out with the staff I already have.
Any advice on DAC in 200-500$ +/-

 

[staticV3]

Cool, looks like a plan to start from.
Actually, I want to get GOOD DAC first to try it out with the staff I already have.
Any advice on DAC in 200-500$ +/-

Topping, SMSL, JDS, Schiit, all make good DACs within your budget.
They're all fully transparent in sound, so choose based on looks, functionality, price etc.

Though TBH, I'd also steer you towards a WiiM.

Unlike the DACs mentioned above, WiiM's built-in Parametric EQ and Subwoofer features have by far the greatest potential for improving sound quality in your room.

 

[Old_School_Brad]

As someone who has used the CCA since its launch and recently switched to the Wiim Pro Plus, I couldn't detect any audible difference between the two during a blind test. While I didn't expect there to be a noticeable change, it was still reassuring to confirm.

I primarily bought the Wiim Pro Plus for the convenience of its Bluetooth remote control, as I had grown tired of relying on my phone to adjust the volume and switch tracks.