Seeking Streamer/Dac Recommendations for DALI Kore + Accuphase E-800.

[SwoleToStereo]

I’m in the process of refining my front end to match the caliber of my soon-to-arrive DALI Kore loudspeakers, which will be paired with an Accuphase E-800 integrated amplifier. My current source is a WiiM Ultra, and I’m now looking to elevate that component to better complement the rest of the system.

I’m considering two possible approaches:

1. All-in-one DAC/Streamer — something in the vein of the Lumin X1 or Aurender A15/A20.


2. Separate DAC and Streamer — to allow for greater upgrade flexibility down the road? Maybe hifirose RS130 and new Rd160?



Room correction might be added with a dsp flex down the road if my living space can't tame the 11 inch woofers.

My budget is around $10K, but I’m open to saving for the right components that will truly do justice to this setup in the long run. I’m particularly interested in digital front ends that pair well sonically with the E-800's Class A warmth and the Kores’ effortless dynamics.

Any recommendations for high-performance streamers, DACs, or complete front ends would be greatly appreciated — especially from those who have experience integrating them with similar high-efficiency or full-range speakers.

 

[Kofi Baffour]

I’m in the process of refining my front end to match the caliber of my soon-to-arrive DALI Kore loudspeakers, which will be paired with an Accuphase E-800 integrated amplifier. My current source is a WiiM Ultra, and I’m now looking to elevate that component to better complement the rest of the system.

I’m considering two possible approaches:

1. All-in-one DAC/Streamer — something in the vein of the Lumin X1 or Aurender A15/A20.


2. Separate DAC and Streamer — to allow for greater upgrade flexibility down the road? Maybe hifirose RS130 and new Rd160?



Room correction might be added with a dsp flex down the road if my living space can't tame the 11 inch woofers.

My budget is around $10K, but I’m open to saving for the right components that will truly do justice to this setup in the long run. I’m particularly interested in digital front ends that pair well sonically with the E-800's Class A warmth and the Kores’ effortless dynamics.

Any recommendations for high-performance streamers, DACs, or complete front ends would be greatly appreciated — especially from those who have experience integrating them with similar high-efficiency or full-range speakers.

Why not get a MiniDSP SHD and connect to DAC so you'd not need the Flex



The SHD does streaming effortlessly and at incredible fidelity whilst having DSP tools and output to the DAC via USB.



Get the Chord Hugo TT 2 DAC

 

[V-Fi]

What are you running at the moment?

For streamers, I find that the user experience is at least as critical as the actual sonic performance. Some of these devices can sound amazing but if you dread every interaction with the thing, you won't be happy in the long run.

When I was on a search for a new streamer, I ended up trying Lumin, Aurender, Hifi Rose, Matrix, Eversolo, Innuos, etc (basically all the bigger or well known brands) before landing on Auralic. It had the sound I wanted but also a UI that just clicked with me. You might test out the same models and come to a different conclusion, it's sort of a personal choice.

I do like the idea of an all in one streaming DAC, and I use one in another small system in the house. But for my main setup I feel keeping them separate was the better way to go. Again that's a personal decision and some of the streaming DACs out there are quite nice, like the Bricasti models.