One box DAC/Streamer to replace separates

[Gwan-Tommo]

My first time posting on the forum, so be gentle with me

I currently use an Antipodes K50 into a Vitus SCD-025 mk2 with a Kondo LPd coaxial cable. It’s a lovely sounding combination, as close to ‘analog’ as I’ve been able to get. I’ve been through a bunch of DACs in the past from Ayon, Aqua, Aurelic, Chord etc. The Vitus is very natural sounding and the CDT is useful although I very rarely play a CD these days as playing the file from the K50 sounds as good to me.

I’d like to free up a rack space though, so have been thinking of changing to a one box DAC/streamer. Budget is max £20k, which is half what my current set up would cost new.

Be very interested to get any experiences from anyone that’s gone a similar route. At the moment I’m looking at Cary (who I know are very analog), MSB, Grimm M2, T&A etc.

My other option is a Kondo KSL-DAC with the Melco N10 which would just squeeze onto one shelf. I’m a big Kondo fan and my analog chain and cabling are full Kondo, but I know the DAC is long in the tooth and may not compare well to the newer stuff.

 

[sbnx]

Watson audio: Madison LE

 

[Gwan-Tommo]

Watson audio: Madison LE

Thanks I’ve never heard of those, I’ll have a google

 

[Republicoftexas69]

Simaudio 390

 

[ecwl]

I currently use an Antipodes K50 into a Vitus SCD-025 mk2 with a Kondo LPd coaxial cable.

I’d like to free up a rack space though, so have been thinking of changing to a one box DAC/streamer. Budget is max £20k, which is half what my current set up would cost new.

This just sounds like a solution looking for a problem.

The main reason for upgrade is to free up rack space? For a streamer + DAC combo that you already like?

I don’t know how gentle I can be. I just worry that you’ll end up making a switch and regretting it.

Although the Vitus is an older DAC design. So sure, you can consider Simaudio. Although I was thinking 891 maybe with an additional 820S power supply if you don’t mind the extra cost. It’s a lot of money to spend for an upgrade. Or for regrets.

 

[Dierkx1]

Thanks I’ve never heard of those, I’ll have a google

Acquired by CH Precision

 

[Slingblade]

I use the Weiss Helios which has Roon integrated into it. Very happy with the performance, but I still use a streamer for other services like Pandora, Amazon, etc.

 

[TDX]

If you insist on the one box solution, then consider the Linn top model.

 

[exupgh12]

My first time posting on the forum, so be gentle with me

I currently use an Antipodes K50 into a Vitus SCD-025 mk2 with a Kondo LPd coaxial cable. It’s a lovely sounding combination, as close to ‘analog’ as I’ve been able to get. I’ve been through a bunch of DACs in the past from Ayon, Aqua, Aurelic, Chord etc. The Vitus is very natural sounding and the CDT is useful although I very rarely play a CD these days as playing the file from the K50 sounds as good to me.

I’d like to free up a rack space though, so have been thinking of changing to a one box DAC/streamer. Budget is max £20k, which is half what my current set up would cost new.

Be very interested to get any experiences from anyone that’s gone a similar route. At the moment I’m looking at Cary (who I know are very analog), MSB, Grimm M2, T&A etc.

My other option is a Kondo KSL-DAC with the Melco N10 which would just squeeze onto one shelf. I’m a big Kondo fan and my analog chain and cabling are full Kondo, but I know the DAC is long in the tooth and may not compare well to the newer stuff.

Hi,
Your K50 is also server, I wouldn't drop this kind of feature so quickly.
have owned Cary DMS 500, and DMS 600 in the past, they are nice but far from "big boys" league. Owning MSB Premier DAC and Luxman D10x, feed buy Melco server, the first one (the MSB) is the better sounding.

I have heard the Grimm M2 several times, while its great, to my taste I still prefer the MSB, even When fed from render and not the ProISL module.

Someone here mentioned the Watson audio: Madison LE, its quiet surprising little unit (the company used to design the DAC board that CH used in its receivers\dacs before CH bought it)

Out side the MSB Premier you might check Esoteric N-01XD, a second hand Linn Klimax DSM or the Naim ND 555.

 

[Gwan-Tommo]

Thanks for all the input, very useful. I know a chap that’s just gone for the Linn which I’d never considered having memories of a full Linn system hurting my ears back in the early 90s. I’ve got a Mola Mola on the way to try, with it being so small I can keep the K50 which would be ideal but I’ll have to see what the Mola sounds like of course.

 

[exupgh12]

Thanks for all the input, very useful. I know a chap that’s just gone for the Linn which I’d never considered having memories of a full Linn system hurting my ears back in the early 90s. I’ve got a Mola Mola on the way to try, with it being so small I can keep the K50 which would be ideal but I’ll have to see what the Mola sounds like of course.

Mola Mola Tambaqui is another respectable option.

 

[Hyperion]

My first time posting on the forum, so be gentle with me

I currently use an Antipodes K50 into a Vitus SCD-025 mk2 with a Kondo LPd coaxial cable. It’s a lovely sounding combination, as close to ‘analog’ as I’ve been able to get. I’ve been through a bunch of DACs in the past from Ayon, Aqua, Aurelic, Chord etc. The Vitus is very natural sounding and the CDT is useful although I very rarely play a CD these days as playing the file from the K50 sounds as good to me.

I’d like to free up a rack space though, so have been thinking of changing to a one box DAC/streamer. Budget is max £20k, which is half what my current set up would cost new.

Be very interested to get any experiences from anyone that’s gone a similar route. At the moment I’m looking at Cary (who I know are very analog), MSB, Grimm M2, T&A etc.

My other option is a Kondo KSL-DAC with the Melco N10 which would just squeeze onto one shelf. I’m a big Kondo fan and my analog chain and cabling are full Kondo, but I know the DAC is long in the tooth and may not compare well to the newer stuff.

I would suggest to have a look at the Playback Designs MPD-6 with streaming module.

I'm not sure if you've got anyone carrying Playback Designs in the UK though?

/ Marcus, www.perfect-sense.se

 

[Gwan-Tommo]

Mola Mola Tambaqui is another respectable option.

I like the idea of of giving i2s a try as well, should be interesting

 

[Gwan-Tommo]

I would suggest to have a look at the Playback Designs MPD-6 with streaming module.

I'm not sure if you've got anyone carrying Playback Designs in the UK though?

/ Marcus, www.perfect-sense.se

Unfortunately we don’t have anyone here bringing them in yet. It’s a shame, would be been a nice option

 

[exupgh12]

I would suggest to have a look at the Playback Designs MPD-6 with streaming module.

I'm not sure if you've got anyone carrying Playback Designs in the UK though?

/ Marcus, www.perfect-sense.se

Better even if he could find second hand MPD - 8, or Kalista DAC, exceptional DAC’s.

 

[Hyperion]

Better even if he could find second hand MPD - 8, or Kalista DAC, exceptional DAC’s.

The MPD-8 is indeed exceptional but lacks streaming option and very rarely shows up used (a keeper).

/ Marcus, www.perfect-sense.se

 

[Tuckers]

Something to add to the mix. It's in your price range, and is very analog like!

Esoteric N-01XD SE

 

[matthias]

If you insist on the one box solution, then consider the Linn top model.

Budget is max 20k

 

[cazone]

The B.audio B DPR One EX is a very natural sounding one box solution with a small footprint

 

[DasguteOhr]

your analog chain will have a hard time asserting ourselves,when you want only use streaming no cd transport support.

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