Looking to improve streaming digital quality for my existing system.
Currently I have hybrid home theater system where I stream into my Marantz AVR which then goes out to my PrimaLuna Dialogue HP power amp and on to my GoldenEar T1R's.
I've been using the Marantz to get a toehold on streaming but am ready to cut that loose and get a more satisfying stereo experience. I'm willing to spend some money, though I'll confess to other life goals outside of home audio. I can't go listen to this stuff anywhere and am looking for advice before I bring something into my home for a serious trial.
Here's what I'm looking to add, understanding that this is a tiny corner of the universe of options:
1. Digital streamer options :
-- Bluesound Node 2i -- good enough inexpensive option? Inexpensive is attractive since digital streaming doesn't seem fully mature. Maybe pair it with an external DAC (like the PrimaLuna)?
-- Naim ND5 XS2 -- worth the extra cash? Seems like I wouldn't ever need to think about adding an external DAC.
2. Pre-amp (will probably stick with PrimaLuna -- I can get the EVO 100 preamp for around $2k, is there good reason to spend about twice that for the EVO 300?)
Any input would be appreciated, thanks all!
Currently I have hybrid home theater system where I stream into my Marantz AVR which then goes out to my PrimaLuna Dialogue HP power amp and on to my GoldenEar T1R's.
I've been using the Marantz to get a toehold on streaming but am ready to cut that loose and get a more satisfying stereo experience. I'm willing to spend some money, though I'll confess to other life goals outside of home audio. I can't go listen to this stuff anywhere and am looking for advice before I bring something into my home for a serious trial.
Here's what I'm looking to add, understanding that this is a tiny corner of the universe of options:
1. Digital streamer options :
-- Bluesound Node 2i -- good enough inexpensive option? Inexpensive is attractive since digital streaming doesn't seem fully mature. Maybe pair it with an external DAC (like the PrimaLuna)?
-- Naim ND5 XS2 -- worth the extra cash? Seems like I wouldn't ever need to think about adding an external DAC.
2. Pre-amp (will probably stick with PrimaLuna -- I can get the EVO 100 preamp for around $2k, is there good reason to spend about twice that for the EVO 300?)
Any input would be appreciated, thanks all!
