Cary DMS-600, DMS-550, and DMS-500.
I’m interested in feedback on the sound quality and functionality of these Cary network player/DACs, particularly when data is streamed directly to their Ethernet input from a Roon core server. It would be a bonus if you have compared any of the Cary network player/DACs used in this manner to any other network player/DACs (i.e., Esoteric N-1, Bricasti, Auralic Vega 2) used this way.
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Hello..I have owned the DMS-550 for almost a year.
I love it...Outstanding DAC-does MQA...the Roon stuff. I've been pretty impressed with it. |
Thanks. Before the 550 and 500, what DAC were you using?
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Thanks. I'm seriously considering the DMS-600. It seems to check all my boxes.
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I've had my DMS-500 since late 2016, it was finicky at he begining, would loose connection to the network, had trouble reading certain audio formats, if I remember right, took couple of firmware updates.
No more issues. I'm extremely happy with it now. |
Earlier this year, I spent a fair amount of time evaluating various music streamers. At the end, my two finalists were the Cary Audio DMS-600 and the Lumin T2. I finally purchased the T2 for two reasons: unnecessary functionality (such as the 600’s ability to serve as an external DAC and price, which was, in effect, the consequence of that incremental functionality. I don’t have buyer’s remorse, but I strongly recommend, if possible – it wasn’t in my case – to listen carefully to both units.
The T2 is very accurate/clinical, most likely because of its employment of the ESS/Sabre 9028 DAC. I suspect that the 600’s use of the AKM DAC results in a warmer and softer sound. I say that because I also have a Roon Nucleus+ which I have connected via a Shunyata HDMI cable directly to my Theta Casablanca IV preamplifier/DAC, and there is no question that the Roon/Theta combination sounds better with vocals, whereas the Lumin T2 excels at the reproduction of string instruments and orchestras. I am pleased to have read that those who purchased the Cary Audio music streamers are happy with their purchases. |
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To AVphile-
I am considering the Cary product. Did you use the JRiver media center option with the DMS unit for playback? |
No, I chose the Lumin T2 due to its price, Lumin's greater experience in designing and building music streamer/DACs, and its employment of the ESS Sabre chips.
I purchased the Roon Nucleus+ core subsequently. Essentially, providing one uses the DACs inside the T2, there is no material difference in the sound between using the Lumin app to download a track from Tidal and using the Roon to pass that track along to the T2. In my estimation, the T2's strength is also its weakness -- namely, its "sound" is in large part determined by the ESS Sabre 9028 DACs Lumin has used. They are exceedingly accurate in their decoding, which provides for a detailed sound; however, that focus on accuracy also results in the absence of the bloom present in analog and some competitive music streamer/DACs. Many people, myself included, like that bloom, and I confess I miss it. On the other hand, listening to a violin concerto, or a Yo-yo Ma concert streamed and converted through the T2 is amazing. Like with many things, individual taste preferences are the most important consideration. |
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