I am new to the world of hi-rez audiophiles.
I started with a Fiio M9 DAP and a Fiio DAC with my Iphone (Apple Music lossless).
Now I would like to use Tidal or Qobuz with roon to discover new artists and continue to build my hi rez file library.
At home, I have a bassic amp (yamaha a-s301) with bassic bookshelf speakers (cambridge audio s30).
I want to upgrade my system step by step:
Roon core on my PC + new NAD streamer CS1 + audioquest RCA and ethernet cable
Maybe my wife kills first but that’s my plan in 3 or 4 years
I need you (thanks in advance):
to validate the plan - Make sense?
technical question: the NAD CS1 streamer supports resolution up to 24-bit/192kHz and DACmagic 24-bit/768kHz. The NAD streamer could limit the DAC, right?
Welcome to the community Jeremy,
Whether or not high end Ethernet or USB cables make any difference at all is very controversial but I think most people would agree that in this particular system your money would be better spent on upgrading the components.
If your DAC is connected to a streamer it’s resolution will be limited to that of the streamer.
Yes, I have a 200M and if plug in Zen Stream that limits 200M
I have a m1 mini and HQP. Happy user.
I’m on a NAD 298. Happy user. I love AHB2 Benchmark but a little more $$
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Bill_Janssen
(Wigwam wool socks now on asymmetrical isolation feet!)
4
It’s an interesting question.
I think one of the real problems with modern audiophilia is the “frankensystems” effect: people with little or no experience in systems integration buying various parts from different vendors, and plugging them together based on various rumors coming from dubious sources.
So I’d advocate for a well-engineered single system, like a set of Kii Three speakers or Dutch & Dutch 8c speakers. Both Roon Ready, I believe.
I’m using a custom built PC and a couple of RPis in my setup. One is connected to an SMSL SU-8 DAC, Monoprice XLR cables, SMSL SH-8 integrated amp and Sonance ceiling speakers; the other to an SMSL M8A DAC, a Pioneer receiver and Mirage bookshelf speakers. I have no idea who made the RCA and USB cables. The signal goes through Ethernet cables I crimped with CAT5E bulk cable (don’t remember the brand) and through a D-Link and a Linksys switch. The PC has a Gigabyte mobo, an Intel CPU, Crucial RAM and two NVMe discs, one Samsung and one WD. Is this a frankensystem?
The streamer does only output S/PDIF, so it could reduce sample rate to DAC depending on if the DAC can accept higher via USB (it probably can). It also, I believe, would take control of the final clock away from the DAC…. Audible or not is anyone’s guess.
The price seems right though and may help you stay in budget or to allocate more to other components that may give you a bigger bang for the buck.