[sunnydaze]

Good move on the Bluesound Node 2.    

I love mine:  reliable, intuitive / very easy to use software, and sounds great.....especially when run into a good DAC.  I use a BorderPatrol SE.

So many free music channels included I haven't yet purchased a streaming subscription.  I really like Radio Paradise and The Jazz Groove.  Both are commercial-free and provide excellent SQ.

[Redheart]

Thanks again everyone!
I'm digging in deep today and nerding out.

For now, and since electronics seem to have a high resale value, I'm ok with having a starter system that I will likely upgrade over time. I think I'll definitely start with the NX Studios. Easier system to put together and MUCH simpler.

For my needs at this point, I will only be listening on a digital source (DAC). Maybe someday in the future I will add vinyls and CDs which will mean I would need to add a preamp, but for now, only a DAC means I do not need to worry about a preamp right now, right?

So this is how I'm mapping it out:


This question will expose me for the newb I am:
If I want to eventually have a set of NX Oticas and dual servo subs for each speaker cabinet like New Record Day has in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldrL3EdnLvA&t=618s, then I need a total of 4 channels but only two channels per Amp, right? Two channels per amp, 1 channel for the speaker cabinet and 1 channel for the sub, right? Or am I way off?

Obviously, knowing how many channels I need will inform what gear I buy and I want to make sure I don't screw up on buying my first pieces of gear.

Thank you!

I don't know if you already made up your mind, but i have the NX Studio and they so great from good class D amp.
My advice to you is to get both DAC and Amp :
Topping E50 and Topping PA5!
It's just incredible !

[nadirmg]

I don't know if you already made up your mind, but i have the NX Studio and they so great from good class D amp.
My advice to you is to get both DAC and Amp :
Topping E50 and Topping PA5!
It's just incredible !

Cool! I bet it sounds really good.

I've already gone with Odyssey Kismit monoblocks and the MP-D2-MK3 Deluxe for my DAC. At some point I'll be adding a preamp but I'm not in a rush to get that.

[Hobbsmeerkat]

As far as the NX Studios go, i really enjoy the combo of tube preamp with a Class-D amp.

The one I'm currently running is a Tsakiridis Alexander II, with one of Danny's GK-10 battery-powered chip amps.
It's easily been my favorite combination with the Studios so far.

[corndog71]

Any idea if and when these GK-10 amps will become available?

[mkrawcz]

As far as the NX Studios go, i really enjoy the combo of tube preamp with a Class-D amp.

The one I'm currently running is a Tsakiridis Alexander II, with one of Danny's GK-10 battery-powered chip amps.
It's easily been my favorite combination with the Studios so far.

Actually, the GK-10 is not a class D amp but a class AB. Either way, it sounds really good.

[nadirmg]

Clamp recommendations?

Pony clamps? Will those work or nah?

[Hobbsmeerkat]

With my NX studios I used both standard and strap clamps.
That way I only needed 6 clamps instead of the 12 clamps Peter did in his video. 

[Redheart]

Clamp recommendations?

Pony clamps? Will those work or nah?

Parallel clamps are the best and so practical for everything box/woodworking related!
The Piher PRL 400 ones are just bang for the buck.

[whomhead]

Hope I'm not too late to the game. I'm basically in the same boat as you here, in the planning stage. I'm a long ways away from actually putting anything together, as it's going to require a move to get a dedicated space. But here's my thoughts...

What I plan to do for parts like DAC, streamer, etc, is start out really cheap with Raspberry Pi based solutions. I don't think there's any way to avoid "upgraditis" in this hobby, so for the first round of serious components I'm going to spend as little as possible while still maintaining things that are regarded as great sounding solutions. This way, as upraditis kicks in, I'm upgrading to 1000+ dollar components from stuff that was a few hundred dollars, as opposed to being forced into a position where I have to spend 3-4000 to realize any improvement. Does that make sense?

Just thought I'd give you some food for thought on your journey. Have fun with it!