One box DAC/Streamer to replace separates

I was using a Vitus SCD-2 with a Melco - really enjoyed this. But I latter changed the SCD for the Vitus Masterpiece mk3 which had the same analogue Vitus sound but with more resolution…… you’d pick one of these up for less than your budget…. But you’d still need your K50…..
A used Melco N10 (1/2 width) would sound very good also with the Vitus….and save some space…..

Ultimately I moved to a Tidal Contros (streamer / DAC / pre amp) which is Order of magnitude better than anything else I’ve heard, but I kept my Melco as a NAS. I still prefer the Melco over the steaming but the gap is getting closer as I play with my network….

Not solving your rack space, but would be a step up in sound quality.
 
Budget is something that you set to stretch:cool:
OK, then the OP should consider Taiko Olympus with the in-built DAC, the perfect one box solution :cool:
 
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.

I'm considering an MU2. Would you mind expanding on what you liked about the MSB over the Grimm?

To the OP, I would recommend the Linn AIOs as well. Modular and upgradable when needed. Sound very nice too. The dCS Bartok Apex is another option.
 

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