Hi all,
I am trying to plan my next upgrade of my set up, which is in a higher-end category. I am using speakers and amps from a local custom hi-fi maker, so I’m not going to bother listing all components, since nobody here would know them anyway. But to give you an idea, the sound quality coming from the speakers is similar to the level of ~20K USD speaker price level from regular hi-fi brands and the amps/DAC are adequate to that level.
The setup is very transparent, and except having strong energy and dynamics, it does not have any specific sound characteristic. It’s just realistic and sounds as the source that is connected to the DAC/pre-amp.
So naturally I am looking to upgrade my source as a next step. Today I am using Rpi4 with Allo Digione Signature, powered by Allo Shanti LPS.
My big question is what kind of price range I should be looking at if I want an upgrade that’s worth it, not just something cosmetic that only changes sound signature, but something that really brings it to next level? Recently I have purchased Denon DCD 1600 NE CD/SACD player, and it sounds better vs. streaming through my Rpi setup with Allo (regardless if I use analog or digital out from the CD player, so it’s not a DAC question). Although the differences are not significant, I like the sound from CD player more as it’s more plastic, with more detailed bass and a bit more holographic soundstage. Also, I think I’m a bit tired tinkering with Rpi and all the stuff around, so would like to look into non-Rpi one box streamer transport with coax SPDIF or preferably AES/EBU output also for that reason.
I’m just struggling to define my budget, there seems to be very little resources on the internet comparing RPi+Allo with other boxed regular streamer transports. I was always thinking that my setup should be on par with something like $2K regular streamers on the market (e.g. from Lumin), but then I’ve found some comparison with Limetree network bridge, which is like ~1K USD device and some people were saying Limetree sounded better (although no details given on how Rpi+Allo were powered, etc.)
I would appreciate any advice from someone who went the same path, I know I can’t be alone who had to deal with this. I don’t need recommendations for specific models or brands, I can do the research myself afterwards, just not sure if I should be looking at 1K, 2K or even more expensive streamer transports. Thanks!