One box DAC/Streamer to replace separates

[Perfect sense Audio]

The B.audio B DPR One EX is a very natural sounding one box solution with a small footprint

I can confirm that. A great product and company overall.

/ Marcus, www.perfect-sense.se

 

[Rexp]

Watson audio: Madison LE

@Christiaan Punter reviewed this positively, I wonder if it's worthy of consideration with a 20K budget?

 

[3125simon]

I was using a Vitus SCD-2 with a Melco - really enjoyed this. But I latter changed the SCD for the Vitus Masterpiece mk3 which had the same analogue Vitus sound but with more resolution…… you’d pick one of these up for less than your budget…. But you’d still need your K50…..
A used Melco N10 (1/2 width) would sound very good also with the Vitus….and save some space…..

Ultimately I moved to a Tidal Contros (streamer / DAC / pre amp) which is Order of magnitude better than anything else I’ve heard, but I kept my Melco as a NAS. I still prefer the Melco over the steaming but the gap is getting closer as I play with my network….

Not solving your rack space, but would be a step up in sound quality.

 

[TDX]

Budget is max 20k

Budget is something that you set to stretch

 

[matthias]

Budget is something that you set to stretch

OK, then the OP should consider Taiko Olympus with the in-built DAC, the perfect one box solution

 

[TDX]

OK, then the OP should consider Taiko Olympus with the in-built DAC, the perfect one box solution

That will be snapped

 

[Kirk7]

Hi,
Your K50 is also server, I wouldn't drop this kind of feature so quickly.
have owned Cary DMS 500, and DMS 600 in the past, they are nice but far from "big boys" league. Owning MSB Premier DAC and Luxman D10x, feed buy Melco server, the first one (the MSB) is the better sounding.

I have heard the Grimm M2 several times, while its great, to my taste I still prefer the MSB, even When fed from render and not the ProISL module.

Someone here mentioned the Watson audio: Madison LE, its quiet surprising little unit (the company used to design the DAC board that CH used in its receivers\dacs before CH bought it)

Out side the MSB Premier you might check Esoteric N-01XD, a second hand Linn Klimax DSM or the Naim ND 555.

I'm considering an MU2. Would you mind expanding on what you liked about the MSB over the Grimm?

To the OP, I would recommend the Linn AIOs as well. Modular and upgradable when needed. Sound very nice too. The dCS Bartok Apex is another option.

 

[exupgh12]

I'm considering an MU2. Would you mind expanding on what you liked about the MSB over the Grimm?

To the OP, I would recommend the Linn AIOs as well. Modular and upgradable when needed. Sound very nice too. The dCS Bartok Apex is another option.

For me, in terms of sound, the MSB is closer to an analog experience compared to the Grimm. My reference for sound is always my turntable, the Brinkmann Balance.

 

[Kirk7]

For me, in terms of sound, the MSB is closer to an analog experience compared to the Grimm. My reference for sound is always my turntable, the Brinkmann Balance.

Thanks. Could one describe the MSB then as warmer with better flow and engagement?

 

[exupgh12]

Thanks. Could one describe the MSB then as warmer with better flow and engagement?

It’s more engaging, it have better instrument separation, more organic sound, more realistic decay, and in my system the timbre sound closest to original instruments sounds.


P.S

Analog sound doesn’t have to sound warmer, it really depends on the cartridge, phono cables, and phono. I know plenty of analog owners that aims to this result.

 

[Porsche]

I started the one box solution with a burmester 151mk2, fabulous unit and hard to beat for the money, sold it, moved into the 111 reference, does everything right IMO

 

[Jambo]

Watson audio: Madison LE

I will second that.

Due to financial difficulties, I had to sell my CH C1.2 dac/pre and CH T1 clock. After the availability or the Madison LE locally, which was in my Peripheral vision, when my dealer recommended it as he had just became a dealer for it, and it was very reasonably priced, so I bought it.

I was very shocked at the performance, whilst not at the same level as before, it felt more analogous and with more meat on bones compared to the slightly lean sounding CH C1.2.

I then extracted more from it by getting a better LPS to provide the 5v/2 amp power, the gap closed further to my previous setup.
Very soon (probably within the month) Wattson will soon have a dedicated and custom additional cost power supply for it, which should be much better (I’m making an educated guess) than the one that’s comes with it. The new power supply will be a great visual and hopefully a great sonic uplift to match the LE streamer and its very compact too from the one picture I have seen.

I got a cheapish wifi7 router and that lifted my network performance by a noticeable degree, so now all told I don’t really miss my CH 1.2, I have a very, very high performance sound for very reasonable money.

The LE streamer is very small and compact so it does not take up much room on the shelf. The system now sounds even more natural than before to my ears, so I’m extremely pleased and I now also have my music back.

Whilst it lacks a few sound quality characteristics of the CH 1.2, it is very close but it brings a couple of its own advantages namely a little more meat on bones and I personally find it more natural and closer to live sounds.

You’ll be very surprised what it can do, there are now quite extremely positive reviews of it. Definitely worth checking it out for a good listen and very very keenly priced for what’s on offer.

 

[Hear Here]

I started the one box solution with a burmester 151mk2, fabulous unit and hard to beat for the money, sold it, moved into the 111 reference, does everything right IMO

Well at least with the 111, Burmester remembered to include a volume control knob - they forgot it with the 151