What has the biggest effect in sound profile Pre a/Amp, Amp, or DAC?

[Chanur]

Specific recommendation for approx. $1,100
Complete system for streaming and high performance = long-lasting audio enjoyment

WiiM Ultra

View attachment 515242


AUDIOPHONICS AP300-S500NC Class-D-Stereo-Amplifier Hypex Ncore NC502MP 2x500W 4 Ohm

AUDIOPHONICS AP300-S500NC Power Amplifier NCore NC502MP

The Audiophonics AP300-S500NC is a stereo amplifier based on a Hypex Ncore NC502MP amplifier module. It is ideal for providing a significant power reserve (2x500W @ 4Ω) without sacrificing sound reproduction quality.

www.audiophonics.fr

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Can someone recommend an alternative to the WiiM? I have one in the bedroom and have admittedly not used it a ton(bought it for my wife), but don't love the app so far with Amazon Music. I'll probably cancel that and stick with Spotify.

 

[Audionaut]

but don't love the app so far with Amazon Music. I'll probably cancel that and stick with Spotify.

That's your decision, of course, but I don't know of anything easier to use and better sounding with high-resolution data from Amazon Music than the WiiM Ultra.
As far as I know, Spotify also works on the Ultra.

 

[Chanur]

That's your decision, of course, but I don't know of anything easier to use and better sounding with high-resolution data from Amazon Music than the WiiM Ultra.
As far as I know, Spotify also works on the Ultra.

I might have had a set up issue because it seemed like it didn't want to stream any Amazon HD songs I was looking for. It was weird because I had no issue days before.

 

[mglobe]

This doesn't address the question of sound quality, but I like keeping the source (streamer?) separate from amplification. The way I see things, amplification is a solved problem. From an audibility point of view, pretty sure the front end of the digital flow is also. However it is evolving in terms of convenience, functionality, and access to streaming sources. As a result of this, I personally stay away from an all-in-one box.

 

[Chanur]

That's your decision, of course, but I don't know of anything easier to use and better sounding with high-resolution data from Amazon Music than the WiiM Ultra.
As far as I know, Spotify also works on the Ultra.

I might have had a set up issue because it seemed like it didn't want stream any Amazon HD songs I was looking for. It was weird because I had no issue days before. I've got about a month to decide.

 

[Chanur]

This doesn't address the question of sound quality, but I like keeping the source (streamer?) separate from amplification. The way I see things, amplification is a solved problem. From an audibility point of view, pretty sure the front end of the digital flow is also. However it is evolving in terms of convenience, functionality, and access to streaming sources. As a result of this, I personally stay away from an all-in-one box.

I also want the application separate from any streaming. The amp should last decades with the constantly changing digital technology (apps) it could obsolete very easily.

 

[krabapple]

Disclaimer I know speakers and room do, those two things are not changing for me. Given that those will remain the same which of those items if any will have an impact on the way my system will sound? I am comparing integrated amps to seperates right now. The reason I ask is because even when talking to HiFi/electronic retailers/manufacturer support I get different answers. I am coming to you ASR , help me , you're my only hope.

Answer: stop listening to "HiFi/electronic retailers/manufacturer support"

 

[Chanur]

Answer: stop listening to "HiFi/electronic retailers/manufacturer support"

Yeah seems like total nonsense responses from them unfortunately.

 

[Waxx]

You could try the MiniDSP SHD, that also got a very good dsp inside, but it will cost a lot more. MiniDSP does support their devices longtime and it's tested very good. That with a Purif or Hypex based amp of minimum 150W/8R could be a good solution. Good amps in that style are Audophonics and Apollon in Europe or Buckeye in the US.

 

[Mart68]

Where would you even buy the Artera stuff in the US?

Just had a look - San Francisco, Chicago or Summit NJ apparently.

 

[Gibsonian]

To the OP's original question I'd say for sure the preamp.

 

[Chanur]

You could try the MiniDSP SHD, that also got a very good dsp inside, but it will cost a lot more. MiniDSP does support their devices longtime and it's tested very good. That with a Purif or Hypex based amp of minimum 150W/8R could be a good solution. Good amps in that style are Audophonics and Apollon in Europe or Buckeye in the US.

I'm not to familiar with these. Would I also need a DAC with these or do they do the conversion to analog? If so how does the sound compare to a traditional DAC?

 

[Chanur]

The wife has spoken, our streamer will be a WiiM. She likes the Spotify app with it. So I just got us a duo plan and dropped Amazon music, since she mostly listens to it. I listen mostly through vinyl and in the future CD.


Does anyone have any experience with Peachtree Amps? Particularly what is the difference between these two integrated

This one has a lot more watts

Carina X

The Carina X is a 300 watts-per-channel integrated amplifier utilizing the critically acclaimed Hypex N-Core amplifier technology to drive nearly any speaker available today. It accepts 5 digital inputs including Bluetooth plus an analog input switchable between MM phono and AUX.

www.peachtreeaudio.com

This one is a bit more money though , I think it's a Gan set up, but not sure what that means vs the NcoreX.

Carina GaN

The Carina GaN is a 200 watts-per-channel integrated amplifier incorporating the revolutionary GaN-FET technology found in the Peachtree GaN 1. It provides a musical path to your speakers that is remarkably direct and artifact-free. It offers 5 digital inputs including Bluetooth plus an analog...

www.peachtreeaudio.com

 

[john61ct]

The Artera Play Plus preamp with CD transport

Their newer "Artera Pre" (no CD) sure looks nice!

 

[john61ct]

I like keeping the source (streamer?) separate from amplification... I personally stay away from an all-in-one box.

Wiim Ultra is all line-level, great SQ pre-amp and DSP beyond the streaming.

Wiim Amp Ultra is similar but includes a clean and pretty powerful stereo amp, great expansion unit for multi-room satellite location.

 

[john61ct]

The wife has spoken, our streamer will be a WiiM.

Assuming you mean the Wiim Ultra, then you can most likely take "a preamp" of another type out of the picture, other than if you have lots of other OG sources, managing switching etc

Try to route all your sources through the Wiim Ultra, its automated "input profiles" are pretty sophisticated

 

[Chanur]

Assuming you mean the Wiim Ultra, then you can most likely take "a preamp" of another type out of the picture, other than if you have lots of other OG sources, managing switching etc

Try to route all your sources through the Wiim Ultra, its automated "input profiles" are pretty sophisticated

As long as I can connect my turntable and a CD player I think I'm fine since it has HDMI for everything else.

 

[Waxx]

I'm not to familiar with these. Would I also need a DAC with these or do they do the conversion to analog? If so how does the sound compare to a traditional DAC?

these are all in one, dac, dsp; preamp and streamer, with analog and digital inputs and analog out (x4) so fit to add subwoofers. They are tested here and top range in neutral clean sound, they are not that far off of the top dac's and far higher resolution than our ears. The review here with measurments.

 

[john61ct]

As long as I can connect my turntable and a CD player I think I'm fine since it has HDMI for everything else.

You are fine. Just be aware the WiiM Ultra HDMI input is ARC only not eARC so OG AC3 5.1 and 2ch PCM only

NOT: 5.1 or 7.1 Linear PCM, DTS, Dolby Digital Plus (DD+ / E-AC-3) not Atmos nor TrueHD

For such content your TV / AVP must auto-downmix to AC3 5.1 or 2ch PCM or Wiim will remain silent

Also HDMI-CEC support can vary in compatibility by mfg

Just FYI

 

[Hayabusa]

Disclaimer I know speakers and room do, those two things are not changing for me. Given that those will remain the same which of those items if any will have an impact on the way my system will sound? I am comparing integrated amps to seperates right now. The reason I ask is because even when talking to HiFi/electronic retailers/manufacturer support I get different answers. I am coming to you ASR , help me , you're my only hope.

None of them: Room correction it is