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.