Inexpensive DAC / digital source for dad's stereo

[HiWire]

I was talking to my dad this weekend and he wanted me to investigate a DAC/front end for his stereo system. His current source is a Technics 5-disc CD changer from the 90s, amplification is a Technics surround sound receiver of the same vintage (early-mid 90s), and no-name cables.

I was thinking a Schiit Modi 3 might be a good start, but the system would need more smarts, so maybe something with streaming/network capability and DAC would be better. He does have music files stored on a bunch of hard drives, so maybe one large 6-8TB hard drive to consolidate them along with a wifi + interface head? He has an Android tablet, so maybe he could use that to control the stereo stuff.

He wants to keep the amplification, so definitely something with RCA outputs...

[johnwmclean]

Maybe a cheap DAC streamer is the go, something like a iEAST Sound Streamer. You’d need a 3.5mm stereo to RCA cable, the Android tablet should work fine with an existing wifi network. I agree consolidate the music files onto a single (wireless) hard drive, then a media player of sorts installed onto the tablet.

 

[HiWire]

Thanks! I guess the other option would be a mini PC of some sort.

[n_maher]

First rule of providing recommendations for audio gear for family - keep it SIMPLE. 

That said, I've been searching for a non-amplified, nice, user-friendly music server for what feels like years. Still haven't found anything that I like that doesn't cost north of $2k which just isn't within reach. 

[HiWire]

That's my conclusion, too. The good ones get pricey fast.

I can barely figure out a machine I'd get to run Plex for myself (not that I need it)... I wouldn't dump anything on my dad that would require a manual to operate.

Edited February 25, 2020 by HiWire

[Dusty Chalk]

iPad + y-cable 

[chinsettawong]

A Raspberry Pi + Hifi-berry DAC + Volumio could be a good choice.  

[HiWire]

Good call... I'll look into it.

 

A few moments later

Went down the Pi hole and found the Khadas Tone Board... anyone tried it?

https://www.khadas.com/tone

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-measurements-of-wesiontek-khadas-tone-board-dac.4823/

Edited February 26, 2020 by HiWire

[HiWire]

I noticed the new Cyrus One Cast in today's Hi-Fi+ email – seems to do the job, but obviously it won't be inexpensive at all.

The What Hi-Fi review damns it with faint praise: https://www.whathifi.com/us/reviews/cyrus-one-cast

The NAD M10 also gets a mediocre grade from What Hi-Fi (do they hate digital amplifiers?): https://www.whathifi.com/us/reviews/nad-masters-m10

There seem to be a lot of new products for a "smart stereo" – few of them do the job as well as a traditional set up, for less money.

I might go with a used Arcam Solo Music (3rd gen – 2017) 80W digital amp if I can find one – the local going rate is still around $2,000 for a gently used box, though, and the 2nd-gen Arcam Solo (Neo) is about $750, with an analog amplifier of about 50W at 8 ohms.

Edited April 1, 2020 by HiWire

[HiWire]

Bluesound announced their new generation Node and PowerNode products last month:

https://www.bluesound.com/news/2021/bluesound-introduces-new-generation-of-node-and-powernode/

 

The PowerNode might be the perfect source/amp box for my dad.

[screaming oranges]

For the past month, I've been using the Node 2i as a fast way to stream music. Came across a used unit on eBay for a decent price. I'm happy with it. Haven't really tested any other streamers though, but it's simple enough to control through phone app.