[pechelman]

This post will reveal how much of a newby I am, as I don't even really know if this exists or where I should search.

Right now I'm using a Hiby R6 DAP with mostly FLAC's (and some mp3s, gasp!) as my source for my home stereo. It's directly feeding a dennis had 45 firebottle connected to some omega junior 8's. The sound is lovely and I really cannot complain other than the fact that I have to plug in the DAP and charge it occasionally. Seem to have more than enough gain without a preamp as well even on very low leveled albums/tracks.

Ideally what I'm looking for is a source that's relatively standalone like this Hiby DAP; It should have wifi connectivity for occasional/rare streaming or file transfers and built-in or addable storage in the form of an SD-Card(s) or external HD. Would also be open to something that can work with a network server or uPnP type device, but not having either of those, it is my least preferred, as I'd need to buy more things.  Another constraint is that I don't have a lot of footprint space available, so it can't be bigger than the firebottle amp which is roughly the size of a sheet of standard 8.5x11" paper.  Bonus points if I can control it with my android phone just like I can the Hiby, though I imagine this may be the only acceptable method of control unless it has a big screen.  Would prefer this isnt a computer or something similar.  Does this device even exist? Would you all be so kind as to point me to a few options?  Price wise I would definitely like to keep this sub-1k but open to slightly higher if there's something that ticks all of the boxes. 

Or should I just continue using my Hiby? 

thanks in advance

[JLM]

Not many high end DACs that do streamer, allow ethernet input, and has built-in storage as well as a volume control.

Budget?

Cheap - Blusound Vault 2i, $1000 (warm forgiving sound, handles MQA)

Midstream - NAD C658, $1500 (upgrade to Vault 2i, includes balanced outputs and Dirac Live room correction)

Higher end - Sony HAP-Z1ES $2000 (very popular a couple of years ago)

[pechelman]

For budget I did mention I'd like to keep it below 1k.

I'm willing to compromise on ethernet input and built-in storage so long as it could read from an external hd or SD Card slot or something that doesnt require too much more hardware.

Seems odd to me that a mid-level DAP is so well featured compared to home units.

[audioengr]

Sonos Connect.  Add a reclocker between this and the DAC and it's nirvana.  Any computer or handheld device will control it.  Stream or play local files.  Limited to 44.1 sample-rate (CD quality)

Sonos - $399
Reclocker - price-range $149-$699  depending on the results you want.
Good S/PDIF BNC-terminated coax cable - price-range $20-$500 depending on the results you want.

Steve N.

[audiobomber]

Raspberry Pi 3 B+, connected directly to your DAC via USB cable. You can play music wirelessly stored on a computer or NAS, or attach a storage disc via one of the RPI ports. Download Volumio for control via your phone or computer.

[pechelman]

great suggestions, thanks!

Have a lot to look into with this. Was hoping to find a more integrated solution with the storage/dac/preamp in one box like a DAP.  The Bluesound Vault seems to be mostly what I'm after. Not against the DIY nature of a Rasp Pi but it's been a long time since I've written any code. Searching these things on amazon also helped get me some similar suggested items.  Looks like I have a lot of things to look at later.

[audiobomber]

Was hoping to find a more integrated solution with the storage/dac/preamp in one box like a DAP.  The Bluesound Vault seems to be mostly what I'm after. Not against the DIY nature of a Rasp Pi but it's been a long time since I've written any code. Searching these things on amazon also helped get me some similar suggested items.  Looks like I have a lot of things to look at later.

Assembling a Raspberry Pi is easy as pie, takes a couple of minutes to snap together. There's no code to write, you just download Volumio and flash the mini SD card.

The Allo USBridge is an assembled product and will sound better than a plain Raspberry for streaming: https://www.allo.com/sparky/usbridge.html
You can use your DAC with the USBridge, or get one of these plug & play designs: https://www.allo.com/sparky/index-plug-and-play.html

[pechelman]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

I was very tempted by the RPi option, but they all seemed just a little too fiddly with needing multiple power supplies and having to be plugged in and jumpered in the right order fashion.  Once it was setup, probably no issue, but for the money of something like a katana/signature one, I didnt feel the jump to a bluesound node 2i was all that much, so I went that route.  Found a good deal on a simple NAS so should be all set.   Having said all that, I'm pretty excited/interested to see where all these RPi's go / thanks for telling me about them