Hi Guys,
I thought I'd make a solid contribution to the forum by putting a no compromise system recommendation together, that I feel would be very difficult to beat for under $10000. All the components are available online from various vendors.
I'd like to start at the beginning of the playback chain, and work towards the end. I will leave nothing out that's required to make this system turnkey, and smooth as silk to operate.
First off we will start with a server computer. The latest trend we are seeing in the high end audio world is all kinds of "audiophile servers" popping up for insane amounts of money. I've found through practice, that the only way these overpriced servers can offer any benefit, is if you connect them direct to the DAC. Well, back in the old days before better ways were discovered, that may have been a decent solution. But luckily better ways that are much less expensive have been discovered. This better way is using the server to preform all the heavy computing tasks, and sending the audio via fiber optics to a lightweight, low cost streamer computer, that runs a very lightweight operating system, and has a low noise footprint. I'm not going to get into why this is a better way to do things here. I covered this in detail already on my streamer thread for anyone who's interested.
http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?19221-Streamer-to-kill-the-big-boys-for-under-250
You will also find if you read my streamer thread, that you can get much much better sound out of your DAC by using HQplayer to perform the filtering/modulation normally handled inside of the DAC, on software running inside the server. Again I won't go into the details here because it's well covered in my streamer thread.
As far as GUI goes, the best available circa 2016 is Roon. They have a stunning iPad app, and also integrate Tidal seamlessly into your personal collection. And of course, it can work together with HQplayer, to utilize HQplayer's engine for up sampling/modulation.
One of the drawbacks of HQplayer, is it requires a powerful server to operate smoothly. The superior algorithms it preforms are very resource intensive. But luckily computer horsepower is cheap these days, and since we are using fiber isolation, and a streamer, a run of the mill off the shelf computer such as a Dell or Hp is perfectly adequate for the task.
So let's get down to the hardware. First up the server:
Something with the Intel I7 6700 quad core CPU and Nvidia video card (because HQplayer can use it to help process) is perfect. Here's an example, but feel free to choose anything similar:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-XPS-89...730-1TB-8GB-Wifi-WINDOWS-10-NEW-/141841763525
Now on to the fiber isolated streamer system powered by clean supplies:
And let's not forget Bob Sherman's contribution of the Cat 7 cable. You will need 2 of these for the FMC's"
http://www.amazon.com/Rosewill-Shie..._UL160_SR160,160_&refRID=1PBZDTR3ZTY0P25KXZ82
From there we will need to connect to a DAC. Well the best commercial DAC design I've seen yet for anywhere near the price is bar none the Gustard X20. As Marty said in this thread:
http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?19433-Chinese-DAC-shames-a-few-heavy-hitters
It shames many DAC's costing much much more. And I can just imagine with HQplayer resampling:
https://www.shenzhenaudio.com/gusta...018-xmos-hifi-dac-384khz-dsd-dop-decoder.html
Since the X20 has a robust output stage, and internal volume control, no preamp is required, if used with an amp with a very robust input stage. Well I know just the amp. In fact I was the one who came up with the input stage design idea for this amp. I feel that this amp could slaughter pretty much everything out there under 10K when used with the option of the Sparko discrete opamp input stage.
What I'm referring to is the Nord One NC500 MB, with the Nord One up buffer stage and Sparko Discrete opamps. We are talking 700W per side into 4 ohms of power that could seriously compete with almost anything out there at any price!
http://www.iqspeakers.co.uk/#!hypex-amps/avuyk
As far as speakers go, I discovered a bookshelf kit that would shame $10K speakers all day long. It was designed by Accuton and Mundorf in Germany, and uses crazy good drivers and xover components. The mid woofers are Accutons like used in many speakers costing between $10000-$350000 per pair, and the tweeters are the phenomenal Mundorf air motions. Very exotic drivers. and the Xover components, even in the standard version are on par with the best Magico's. And then there's the silver/gold version which are even better than what Magico uses! Loaded up with all the very best components (silver/gold in oil caps), the cost is only $2999 a pair. You must assemble it, but only takes an hour with a screwdriver.
Datasheet: http://www.mundorf.com/PDF/Mundorf_MA30_Catalog.pdf
North American distributor:
http://shop.grantfidelity.com/Mundorf-MA30-Anniversity-Bookshelf-Speaker-Kithtml.html
There's also a companion sub cabinet in the works to make it an insane 30-30 full range super speaker. See Datasheet
So I guess all we have left is the cables. Well I haven't seen better value in cables yet than what Dave C of Zenwave audio offers. His cables are on par with the best of the best at a much cheaper price point, being a direct seller.
So let's add his 0.5M D2 interconnects with XLR's for the amp to DAC connections:
http://www.zenwaveaudio.com/product/d2-interconnect/
and a 12ft pair of his SL speaker cables:
http://www.zenwaveaudio.com/product/speaker-cable-3/
As far as USB cable for the streamer to the DAC, I find the Furutech GT-2 is excellent. So lets throw in a 0.3m cable:
http://www.partsconnexion.com/wire_usb_furutech_gt2p.html
If I missed a detail or 2 I will update as we go. But now for the tally, and grand total:
Server= $799
Hqplayer= $93 from member Bibo01
Roon= $119 per year
Streamer system with fibre and all upgrades= $719.39
DAC=$799
Pair of mono block amps= $2120 (at today's exchange rate)
Speakers loaded will all options/upgrades: $2999
interconnects= $624
Speaker cables: $900
USB cable= $204
Let's add another $100 for shipping (although most items are free shipping)
And just incase we have people who think the hour of assembly of the speakers is too much, let's add $500 to ship to me first to assemble.
Grand total= $9976.39
There we go. And that includes $500 to assemble the speakers!! If anyone knows a better system for anywhere near the price please share. If I learn of a better way to do any aspect of this system, I'll update this post.
I would like this thread to be the definitive thread on the internet when it comes to "What's best" for $10k or under. So suggestions welcome, but be aware, any suggestions will be heavily scrutinized before making the cut
I thought I'd make a solid contribution to the forum by putting a no compromise system recommendation together, that I feel would be very difficult to beat for under $10000. All the components are available online from various vendors.
I'd like to start at the beginning of the playback chain, and work towards the end. I will leave nothing out that's required to make this system turnkey, and smooth as silk to operate.
First off we will start with a server computer. The latest trend we are seeing in the high end audio world is all kinds of "audiophile servers" popping up for insane amounts of money. I've found through practice, that the only way these overpriced servers can offer any benefit, is if you connect them direct to the DAC. Well, back in the old days before better ways were discovered, that may have been a decent solution. But luckily better ways that are much less expensive have been discovered. This better way is using the server to preform all the heavy computing tasks, and sending the audio via fiber optics to a lightweight, low cost streamer computer, that runs a very lightweight operating system, and has a low noise footprint. I'm not going to get into why this is a better way to do things here. I covered this in detail already on my streamer thread for anyone who's interested.
http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?19221-Streamer-to-kill-the-big-boys-for-under-250
You will also find if you read my streamer thread, that you can get much much better sound out of your DAC by using HQplayer to perform the filtering/modulation normally handled inside of the DAC, on software running inside the server. Again I won't go into the details here because it's well covered in my streamer thread.
As far as GUI goes, the best available circa 2016 is Roon. They have a stunning iPad app, and also integrate Tidal seamlessly into your personal collection. And of course, it can work together with HQplayer, to utilize HQplayer's engine for up sampling/modulation.
One of the drawbacks of HQplayer, is it requires a powerful server to operate smoothly. The superior algorithms it preforms are very resource intensive. But luckily computer horsepower is cheap these days, and since we are using fiber isolation, and a streamer, a run of the mill off the shelf computer such as a Dell or Hp is perfectly adequate for the task.
So let's get down to the hardware. First up the server:
Something with the Intel I7 6700 quad core CPU and Nvidia video card (because HQplayer can use it to help process) is perfect. Here's an example, but feel free to choose anything similar:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-XPS-89...730-1TB-8GB-Wifi-WINDOWS-10-NEW-/141841763525
Now on to the fiber isolated streamer system powered by clean supplies:
And let's not forget Bob Sherman's contribution of the Cat 7 cable. You will need 2 of these for the FMC's"
http://www.amazon.com/Rosewill-Shie..._UL160_SR160,160_&refRID=1PBZDTR3ZTY0P25KXZ82
From there we will need to connect to a DAC. Well the best commercial DAC design I've seen yet for anywhere near the price is bar none the Gustard X20. As Marty said in this thread:
http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?19433-Chinese-DAC-shames-a-few-heavy-hitters
It shames many DAC's costing much much more. And I can just imagine with HQplayer resampling:
https://www.shenzhenaudio.com/gusta...018-xmos-hifi-dac-384khz-dsd-dop-decoder.html
Since the X20 has a robust output stage, and internal volume control, no preamp is required, if used with an amp with a very robust input stage. Well I know just the amp. In fact I was the one who came up with the input stage design idea for this amp. I feel that this amp could slaughter pretty much everything out there under 10K when used with the option of the Sparko discrete opamp input stage.
What I'm referring to is the Nord One NC500 MB, with the Nord One up buffer stage and Sparko Discrete opamps. We are talking 700W per side into 4 ohms of power that could seriously compete with almost anything out there at any price!
http://www.iqspeakers.co.uk/#!hypex-amps/avuyk
As far as speakers go, I discovered a bookshelf kit that would shame $10K speakers all day long. It was designed by Accuton and Mundorf in Germany, and uses crazy good drivers and xover components. The mid woofers are Accutons like used in many speakers costing between $10000-$350000 per pair, and the tweeters are the phenomenal Mundorf air motions. Very exotic drivers. and the Xover components, even in the standard version are on par with the best Magico's. And then there's the silver/gold version which are even better than what Magico uses! Loaded up with all the very best components (silver/gold in oil caps), the cost is only $2999 a pair. You must assemble it, but only takes an hour with a screwdriver.
Datasheet: http://www.mundorf.com/PDF/Mundorf_MA30_Catalog.pdf
North American distributor:
http://shop.grantfidelity.com/Mundorf-MA30-Anniversity-Bookshelf-Speaker-Kithtml.html
There's also a companion sub cabinet in the works to make it an insane 30-30 full range super speaker. See Datasheet
So I guess all we have left is the cables. Well I haven't seen better value in cables yet than what Dave C of Zenwave audio offers. His cables are on par with the best of the best at a much cheaper price point, being a direct seller.
So let's add his 0.5M D2 interconnects with XLR's for the amp to DAC connections:
http://www.zenwaveaudio.com/product/d2-interconnect/
and a 12ft pair of his SL speaker cables:
http://www.zenwaveaudio.com/product/speaker-cable-3/
As far as USB cable for the streamer to the DAC, I find the Furutech GT-2 is excellent. So lets throw in a 0.3m cable:
http://www.partsconnexion.com/wire_usb_furutech_gt2p.html
If I missed a detail or 2 I will update as we go. But now for the tally, and grand total:
Server= $799
Hqplayer= $93 from member Bibo01
Roon= $119 per year
Streamer system with fibre and all upgrades= $719.39
DAC=$799
Pair of mono block amps= $2120 (at today's exchange rate)
Speakers loaded will all options/upgrades: $2999
interconnects= $624
Speaker cables: $900
USB cable= $204
Let's add another $100 for shipping (although most items are free shipping)
And just incase we have people who think the hour of assembly of the speakers is too much, let's add $500 to ship to me first to assemble.
Grand total= $9976.39
There we go. And that includes $500 to assemble the speakers!! If anyone knows a better system for anywhere near the price please share. If I learn of a better way to do any aspect of this system, I'll update this post.
I would like this thread to be the definitive thread on the internet when it comes to "What's best" for $10k or under. So suggestions welcome, but be aware, any suggestions will be heavily scrutinized before making the cut
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