If I had hair I would pull it out! I’ve researched this to the point utter confusion. I’m just getting back into audio and am learning about streaming. Seemed pretty straight forward….at first. I’m wanting to spend $800 and not sure at that price point if I’m better going with all-in-one or separate DAC/Streamer. My system is vintage McIntosh C-28 preamp / MC 2125 amp into Klipschorns (all purchased late 70’s or early 80’s). Any help that you could provide would be appreciated - thanks in advance!
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Need Some SOUND Advice on Streaming
- Thread starter RKH1
- Start date
I would do an all in one. It is unlikely you are going to hear any improvement at the edges of audibility of SINAD since your equipment is probably about -70db sinad or less. So anything you buy will work. -
If you are thinking about upgrading the McIntosh gear to something cleaner
If you are thinking about upgrading the McIntosh gear to something cleaner
Basically depends on the features you want, but in terms of sound quality I agree with @staticV3 . Hard to do better. As long as it supports the streaming services / protocols you want to use, no reason to go outside of that. If you want a screen and such the Eversolo or something similar is a decent option, but if you are happy to stick with the app then save your $$ for a nice dinner or two and get the WiiM.
If you are very overkill-oriented you can also get a performant external DAC, but in that case just get the WiiM mini... the Pro Plus has a good DAC already built in.
The Pro Plus also has some EQ functionality built-in, but if you are not already doing room EQ, putting some budget towards a MiniDSP and measurement mic would also be a good way to upgrade the system.
If you are very overkill-oriented you can also get a performant external DAC, but in that case just get the WiiM mini... the Pro Plus has a good DAC already built in.
The Pro Plus also has some EQ functionality built-in, but if you are not already doing room EQ, putting some budget towards a MiniDSP and measurement mic would also be a good way to upgrade the system.
Seconding (or is it thirding) @staticV3 and @kemmler3D
Note - there is a wiim Pro, and a Pro+ - only the + has the better built in DAC (But probably unlikely you will hear an audible difference between this and the "average" one in the mini and non plus version of the pro.)
Note - there is a wiim Pro, and a Pro+ - only the + has the better built in DAC (But probably unlikely you will hear an audible difference between this and the "average" one in the mini and non plus version of the pro.)
I have a Wiim pro plus (and my son has a pro) and they are good products. Another family of products that would fit in cosmetically with your current gear is the Cambridge Audio streamers. Like the Wiim, and in my experience they work with just about any streaming service or protocol without any fuss or instability.
www.cambridgeaudio.com
My sense from your OP is that you don't want to go the route of a Raspberry Pi player, but you can set that up even cheaper than the Wiim, and it's pretty easy (I use a Pi-4 and ROPIEEXL in one set up). But the Wiim and Cambridge players support more protocols and services than PI (the main differences are Chromecast and Tidal Connect/Spotify Connect/Qobuz Connect).
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My sense from your OP is that you don't want to go the route of a Raspberry Pi player, but you can set that up even cheaper than the Wiim, and it's pretty easy (I use a Pi-4 and ROPIEEXL in one set up). But the Wiim and Cambridge players support more protocols and services than PI (the main differences are Chromecast and Tidal Connect/Spotify Connect/Qobuz Connect).
- Thread Starter
- #7
You guys are awesome and I thank you! The Wiim Pro + along with Eversolo DMP A6 and the Node + Were high On my list until I started reading about separate DAC’s….then it got confusing. My first choice is master vinyl but can’t afford to buy a new album every time I hear a good track! I really want to use streaming to discover new artist and when I find a “must have” buy it on vinyl. Again, Thanks for your help as you really solved a puzzle for me.
Definitely a good way to use it. And glad we could help!
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