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...

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.

 

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

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. 

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, 20206 yr by HiWire

iPad + y-cable 

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

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, 20206 yr by 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, 20206 yr by 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.

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.