0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic. Read 11771 times.
I think the Bifrost Multibit would be a great choice, as would the Resonessence Lab Concero HD.
As little as the Modi 2 Uber cost, and what you would get for it, I would keep it for a second system, or desktop system. Save you buying all over again should you need another DAC.
One way to do it is control your volume at the computer/iPod/iPad/iPhone/Android level. If your server is a computer, most phones etc can be used as a remote and more, either through Bluetooth or WiFi.
The best I am hearing right now comes from my Denon DVD-955.
Forgive me Jeff if I didn't totally follow your connectivity explanation regarding your TV etc. I am a hard core audio dude and have no TV, so I'm sort of clueless in that area. If your DVD-955 is out performing your Modi 2 Uber that should be an indicator the Modi 2 is not being properly fed. I feed my DACs with a MacBook that is optimized for music via a Cardas Clear USB cable. My player is iTunes with Pure Music plug in. If you have an iPhone etc you can control the MacBook via Bluetooth (preferred), or WiFi.You also mentioned when running your Modi 2 into your SE84UFO that you have to pin the volume. That should not be. Even with 1.5V from the Modi 2 you should not have to pin the volume - not even close. I suspect something upline from your DAC is holding things back.
The Oppo BDP-105's DAC is very good. Based on what you are attempting to do, this is the route I would choose. I believe it outputs over 2 Vrms.
I use Tidal Hi-fi and I find it to be great for digital use. 30$ a month including downloading for off line use. My solution is a Sonos wireless box and digital out to a dedicated dac and hooked to amp. Works close to perfect from Android and IPhone and can adjust volume from all devices. Can't compare to vinyl and a good riaa. But for nearly all but dedicated listening sessions it's a no-brainer solution.
You pay $30 a month for Tidal HI-FI? I thought it was only $19.99? And is the Tidal Hi-Fi service that much better than Spotify Premium? The next step I see that Tidal is taking is by introducing MQA streaming. Which stands for Master Quality Authentication. It's supposed to be better than High Res but there are conflicting articles in regards to this.
MQA isn't better than native hi-res files. MQA is a file compression and decompression format....which is great for streaming. It's a great stop gap while we await for the infrastructure to catch up and allow high speed streaming of uncompressed native hi-res formats. You should read a bit more about MQA. The problem is basically licensing. A lot of people (and manufacturers) don't want to be "forced" into buying another format. Some people love the idea. The folks at Meridian are smart. Think about what would've happened had the inventor of the mp3 marketed and licenced the format. And look at where we are today. People still listen to garbage mp3's. If MQA builds momentum, it could be the next mp3 (though obviously much better).