Where to go from here - DAC /AMP Etc...?

[con7711]

I am looking to upgrade my system to include streaming from Tidal to my audio setup. Not looking to use Bluetooth or a phone, or computer.

Currently, I have a mostly 2 channel setup geared towards vinyl and Cd's

Equipment includes:
Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2 speakers
Subwoofer
Cd player
RP1 Turntable
NAD 7240 PE(don't let the watts fool you, it cranks out over 150 watts per channel)

Wondering if I'd be better off getting a stand-alone network device +DAC, or an integrated amp with network capabilities like the Yahama R-N303. Would the 303 be better/cleaner for 2 channel audio then the NAD 7240?

Any advice would be welcome.

 

[everettT]

I am looking to upgrade my system to include streaming from Tidal to my audio setup. Not looking to use Bluetooth or a phone, or computer.

Currently, I have a mostly 2 channel setup geared towards vinyl and Cd's

Equipment includes:
Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2 speakers
Subwoofer
Cd player
RP1 Turntable
NAD 7240 PE(don't let the watts fool you, it cranks out over 150 watts per channel)

Wondering if I'd be better off getting a stand-alone network device +DAC, or an integrated amp with network capabilities like the Yahama R-N303. Would the 303 be better/cleaner for 2 channel audio then the NAD 7240?

Any advice would be welcome.

None of the above

 

[lovinthehd]

Was curious about your NAD "watts" claim, as they're usually odd....how does a 40 wpc amp somehow output over 150 wpc?

What sources are you adding that you need a separate DAC for?

 

[con7711]

Was curious about your NAD "watts" claim, as they're usually odd....how does a 40 wpc amp somehow output over 150 wpc?

What sources are you adding that you need a separate DAC for?

NAD:

Was thinking about adding a DAC and separate Network device for tidal. Or just using the Yahama Amplifier instead.

 

[con7711]

None of the above

What would you recommend?

 

[lovinthehd]

NAD:

Was thinking about adding a DAC and separate Network device for tidal. Or just using the Yahama Amplifier instead.

Good grief, I have to watch some doofus' video to get an answer to my question? Does he do a bench test or something vaguely interesting?


ps Do you want the MQA thing with the Tidal subscription?

 

[con7711]

Good grief, I have to watch some doofus' video to get an answer to my question? Does he do a bench test or something vaguely interesting?

Sorry man, Just wondering where to go from here. Skip to around 6 minutes

 

[con7711]

Good grief, I have to watch some doofus' video to get an answer to my question? Does he do a bench test or something vaguely interesting?


ps Do you want the MQA thing with the Tidal subscription?

Yep already have it

 

[lovinthehd]

Yep already have it

Then you are using a computer or a special dac?

 

[con7711]

Then you are using a computer or a special dac?

only have tidal on my phone now. I currently don't run it through my setup at home. That's why I'm looking to integrate it in the best way I can. Currently, the NAD doesn' support digital. Wondering the best route to take to keep the quality with the vinyl setup and CD and then add the Tidal option as well.

 

[ryanosaur]

FWIW, the guy whose Phil 3s I auditioned ran Tidal/Roon from his computer through a DAC, straight to a First Watt Amp, and into his Phil 3s. No receiver in the chain.

 

[lovinthehd]

Sorry man, Just wondering where to go from here. Skip to around 6 minutes

More like 6:30 and not quite 150wpc, more like 80 at 1% at 1khz at 8 ohm, not quite the same thing as double the stated spec of 40wpc 20-20khz at .03% THD at 8 ohm (and stopped watching at the 4 ohm test, that wasn't that much better than the 8 ohm results).

My understanding of MQA is either you need the software decoding in a computer or a special dac with the magic mqa codec or did they change something?

 

[con7711]

More like 6:30 and not quite 150wpc, more like 80 at 1% at 1khz at 8 ohm, not quite the same thing as double the stated spec of 40wpc 20-20khz at .03% THD at 8 ohm (and stopped watching at the 4 ohm test, that wasn't that much better than the 8 ohm results).

My understanding of MQA is either you need the software decoding in a computer or a special dac with the magic mqa codec or did they change something?

OK...Let's assume I just want to add Tidal to my setup without sacrificing quality of everything else.

 

[lovinthehd]

OK...Let's assume I just want to add Tidal to my setup without sacrificing quality of everything else.

It's not really a matter of sacrificing quality of other sources, but rather what you want to do to obtain Tidal with MQA (or decide to live without it), or what other digital sources you may want to utilize. What kind of budget are you thinking about?

 

[ryanosaur]

Forgive if I'm missing something... mostly chiming in to learn more myself.
Seems like you have your Tape and Video analog inputs available... a good quality DAC between your computer and the NAD should take care of it, yeah? If I'm missing something, please help me understand. Thanks.

 

[lovinthehd]

Forgive if I'm missing something... mostly chiming in to learn more myself.
Seems like you have your Tape and Video analog inputs available... a good quality DAC between your computer and the NAD should take care of it, yeah? If I'm missing something, please help me understand. Thanks.

Well, he did say "Not looking to use Bluetooth or a phone, or computer."

 

[ryanosaur]

Well, he did say "Not looking to use Bluetooth or a phone, or computer."

missed the computer part... got that he wanted to not use the phone or BT.

 

[lovinthehd]

missed the computer part... got that he wanted to not use the phone or BT.

At first I missed the whole Tidal thing Altho to MQA or not seems to be a crux here as far as any change in gear goes....

 

[PENG]

I am looking to upgrade my system to include streaming from Tidal to my audio setup. Not looking to use Bluetooth or a phone, or computer.

Currently, I have a mostly 2 channel setup geared towards vinyl and Cd's

Equipment includes:
Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2 speakers
Subwoofer
Cd player
RP1 Turntable
NAD 7240 PE(don't let the watts fool you, it cranks out over 150 watts per channel)

Wondering if I'd be better off getting a stand-alone network device +DAC, or an integrated amp with network capabilities like the Yahama R-N303. Would the 303 be better/cleaner for 2 channel audio then the NAD 7240?

Any advice would be welcome.

That amp is rated 40 W per channel, two channel driven. Any more than that is for short term and/or at higher distortion than the rated 0.03%.

What is your budget? Without a budget it is hard to recommend anything.

 

[con7711]

That amp is rated 40 W per channel, two channel driven. Any more than that is for short term and/or at higher distortion than the rated 0.03%.

What is your budget? Without a budget it is hard to recommend anything.

Budget is around 500-700