TLDR: as the title says, I'm looking for a one-box streamer/DAC/pre/amp like the Wiim Amp Ultra, but since I'm class D amp curious, I'd also like to have the option to play around with an external amp for which I'd need a pre-out, which the Wiim Amp Ultra doesn't have. Since I almost exclusivley listen to locally hosted flacs, support of various streaming services is not a major concern, having room correction/eq and a sub-out would be something I'd like to have, though.
For a bit more background: For almost 20 years I had Beauhorn Virtuoso speakers (w Lowther DX4s) and a PX25 tube amp. This combo - while certainly not perfect - made me stop looking for anything better and I haven't heard much in the past years that would make me want to switch (the Linkwitz LX521 being a notable exception). About 10 years ago, I added a Naim Atom one-box streamer and I have a cheap little 10" sub to round out the bottom, and since then I've been a happy camper and haven't looked much at Audio stuff (I realize, that horn speakers and the Naim are not very well regarded around here, but the Beauhorns have a phase plug that eliminates the infamous Lowther shout, so they are somewhat linear) . But I'm getting close to retirement age now and at some point (not too soon, though), it will be necessary to replace the unwieldy Beauhorns with smaller speakers. So, I've been lurking here for a while and was reading, among other things, about the Ascilab C6B. To dip my toes into the monitor speaker pool, I ordered a pair, which just arrived last week. While they are nowhere near close to my Beauhorns, they are fantastic speakers for the money and very easy to listen to. Initially, I thought to pass them on soon, but instead, I'd like to keep them around for a bit and build a small second system around them. Hence, the above inquiry. Budget-wise I'd like to stay in Wiim territory, but there is some breathing room, if warranted.
For a bit more background: For almost 20 years I had Beauhorn Virtuoso speakers (w Lowther DX4s) and a PX25 tube amp. This combo - while certainly not perfect - made me stop looking for anything better and I haven't heard much in the past years that would make me want to switch (the Linkwitz LX521 being a notable exception). About 10 years ago, I added a Naim Atom one-box streamer and I have a cheap little 10" sub to round out the bottom, and since then I've been a happy camper and haven't looked much at Audio stuff (I realize, that horn speakers and the Naim are not very well regarded around here, but the Beauhorns have a phase plug that eliminates the infamous Lowther shout, so they are somewhat linear) . But I'm getting close to retirement age now and at some point (not too soon, though), it will be necessary to replace the unwieldy Beauhorns with smaller speakers. So, I've been lurking here for a while and was reading, among other things, about the Ascilab C6B. To dip my toes into the monitor speaker pool, I ordered a pair, which just arrived last week. While they are nowhere near close to my Beauhorns, they are fantastic speakers for the money and very easy to listen to. Initially, I thought to pass them on soon, but instead, I'd like to keep them around for a bit and build a small second system around them. Hence, the above inquiry. Budget-wise I'd like to stay in Wiim territory, but there is some breathing room, if warranted.
