Streaming Confusion

[torxx]

Hey all, asking for a few opinions on incrementally progressing up the ladder regarding streaming audio gear. I just shelled out some beans on a MC 452 (in route) so looking at my next step to properly enjoy streaming from Tidal. I am going to go with a full on MQA ready option. I haven’t tried Roon yet, but it sounds like my cup of tea. Current Budget is $2k -$5K. I plan to build on it, so looking for an acceptable base solution for the grade of equipment I currently have and go from there.

Mytek Brooklyn+ and something to stream with is of interest or the Brooklyn Bridge, which is what I have narrowed down to so far. I have a Parasound Halo P5 Pre that is available to use or not use in the chain. Not sure if the Brooklyn Bridge is the right choice to use as a pre amp or not, I.e., no other pre in the chain? Also, should a new pre amp be a higher priority and use a Bluesound for now? So many choices. Prima Luna pre amps look interesting?

I guess I’m asking what choices were made from those that had to make similar choices with their own systems.

FYI currently using MC 2150 with the P5 and an Airport Express, so major improvements will be easy. Thanks in advance

MC452 amp
B&W 805D3 speakers
REL S5 SUB
Wireworld Eclipse 7 Speaker cables and interconnects (1 short pair)

[Still-One]

The Brooklyn Bridge might be what you are looking for. Does it all and is a roon endpoint. There are other options too from Aurrender and Lumin around your price point.

[Puma Cat]

With respect to streamers specifically, I would also give the Innuos Zen Mk3 a good look, too. John Darko reviewed it recently on his YouTube chanel and really liked it very much. It was a very well-conducted review It has very nice software interface features which John shows in detail.

About $2600, so little less expensive than the Brooklyn Bridge. I'd combine that with a Schiit Gungnir Multibit DAC for $1250, so you'd be all in for less than $4K. The Mytek uses an ESS Sabre delta-sigma DAC chip (and having heard the differences between mutibit and D/S DACs, I, for one, am not going back to D/S, just my 2¢)

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

With respect to streamers specifically, I would also give the Innuos Zen Mk3 a good look, too. John Darko reviewed it recently on his YouTube chanel and really liked it very much. It was a very well-conducted review It has very nice software interface features which John shows in detail.

About $2600, so little less expensive than the Brooklyn Bridge. I'd combine that with a Schiit Gungnir Multibit DAC for $1250, so you'd be all in for less than $4K. The Mytek uses an ESS Sabre delta-sigma DAC chip (and having heard the differences between mutibit and D/S DACs, I, for one, am not going back to D/S, just my 2¢)

Nice suggestion of the Innuos unit. I looked at it when I stopped my one of my local dealers and week and a half ago.

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by Still-One

Nice suggestion of the Innuos unit. I looked at it when I stopped my one of my local dealers and week and a half ago.

HI Jim!

Yes, after watching John Darko's exellent review of it on YT, I found it to be a very ineteresting streamer; the software content and control features look very good indeed and it appears to sound very good as well (as well as one can tell from watching a YT video). 'Course it supports Roon, Tidal and Qobuz...

I need to find out who is an Innuos dealer here in the Bay Area.

Cheers, Stephen

[torxx]

Thanks for the feedback, I like John Darko, enjoy his videos. Kind of shifted gear over the last few days. Heavily leaning on the idea of passing on MQA and sticking with Mac gear for synergy an aesthetics. C2500 and a D50, and call it a day for while anyway. That's the plan as of this hour anyway. Innuos and Shiit look very interesting.

[torxx]

For the record, synergy, or sound quality is much higher on my priorities than aesthetics, but, I guess I'm a Mac guy and I trust them to get the sound right for my taste anyway. And the stuff look cool too.

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by torxx

Thanks for the feedback, I like John Darko, enjoy his videos. Kind of shifted gear over the last few days. Heavily leaning on the idea of passing on MQA and sticking with Mac gear for synergy an aesthetics. C2500 and a D50, and call it a day for while anyway. That's the plan as of this hour anyway. Innuos and Shiit look very interesting.

Sounds like a good plan.

[torxx]

After further review the MB50 looks iffy due to the Ply-Fi being less than ideal and it not being Roon Ready. I kinda jumped to the wrong conclusion that it would be roon ready or compatible. Bummer.

I have a couple of general question I could use help on:

1. I’m still thinking a nice pre amp in the chain is important , thinking C2300, C2500, C2600, or comparable SS. Would the Schitt / Innous combo or maybe a Brookland Bridge, etc. make the pre amp not really necessary? (don’t care about phono or anything but digital right now) . My research tells me the pre IS probably necessary to get the house sound I like and that it is an important part of the system. Please share your knowledge.

2. Assuming I had one of the McIntosh preamps listed above and intended to use the internal dac, would the addition of the Innous MK3 (or similar) add it’s own color to the sound or do they get out of the way, so to speak? Demoing gear is not a realistic option, unfortunately. I guess the obvious answer is that it probably will add, or take something away. Comes down to a personal preference question? Right?

Thanks so much for all your feedback. The scarcity of brick and mortar Audio dealers can make this hobby that much more challenging. The addition of the MC452 has awakened my B&W 805 speakers. I am anxious to get the the Parasond P5 and airport express out of the system. Not to knock the P5, but I did get to do an A/B demo with it next to a Mcintosh MB50 or whatever Mcintosh had that was similar about 3-5 years ago. The Mcintosh won that comparison by a nice margin.

[sid325]

I just started streaming, using Tidal, I went with a Bel Canto Stream to a Schiit Yggdrasil dac, which runs to my C2300. I love the combo, sounds fantasic.

Jacob