[o2b]

Hi,

Well here I am introducing myself.  I am a (young!) 66 year old man.  My name is Tony.  I live in a very rural area of South Dakota as was convicted to get out of the cities!

My main hobby, if you can call it that, is Christian gospel theory, which I understand to be highly uncommon!

I have a nice legacy system.  I have a pair of M3 Turbos, powered with recently renovated GSI-modified Dynaco mono blocks.  I also have an Apogee Ensemble which dates back to when I had Emerald Physics CS2's and bought based on Clayton's advice (those speakers had to be bi-amped.). Source music is audio files streamed with an Apple Mac Mini and Channel D Pure Music software.

I am actually in need of figuring out what to do with my stereo.  I am wondering about what I ought to do with the whole Mac Mini/Channel D/Ensemble portion.

[Spatial Audio]

Welcome Tony!
Thanks for sharing your unique hobby (apart from great listening) 

[o2b]

You're welcome!

[thestatman]

Depends on your Budget.

If some serious $ are available and you want the best I would at least audition a PS Audio AirLens streamer into a DAC that works for you then into the Spatial Audio Raven preamplifier then the rest of your system, ideally all powered by a PS Audio P20 power conditioner.   My favourite cables are all from Zenwave (Dave gets the timbre so right).   I am a believer that simpler is usually better hence the above.

DACs are a very personal thing, what one person loves another hates but suggest audition the Musetec MH-DA006 as overdelivering at its pricepoint.

One thing, if you get the Raven, try to build a XLR in and XLR out chain if you can to max the benefit the preamp can offer.

Hopefully you will get a bunch of options form others to help you research some choices.   Auditioning is the KEY.

[thestatman]

If your budget is limited then get an all in one streamer/DAC/preamplifier.   There are a few around.   Lindemann make one.   NAD, Auralic, Lumin P1, Bluesound.   I havent heard any of these as I'm a standalone take-it-to-extreme but keep it simple guy.   I expect u can find from 1K to 10K and internet opinions galore.   Happy hunting.

[o2b]

Man, thanks you guys!  Yeah, finances are really limited.

I have a Melos GK-1 tube preamp, so I think what makes the most sense to me is to replace my Apogee Ensemble DAC and hook it (whatever DAC) to the preamp.

I don't know what I am doing.  Like, should I continue to use Channel D software with ITunes on a Mac Mini?  The highest OS version for that software is quite old.  Maybe even 7 years ago.  So, naturally, I am skeptical.

If I understand things somewhat accurately, I think I am looking to understand my best options for all that precedes the Melos to monoblock amps to speakers piece, with some kind of DAC and whatever else.  And I would love to know my options for the part that houses and playes the audio files.

[o2b]

If your budget is limited then get an all in one streamer/DAC/preamplifier.   There are a few around.   Lindemann make one.   NAD, Auralic, Lumin P1, Bluesound.   I havent heard any of these as I'm a standalone take-it-to-extreme but keep it simple guy.   I expect u can find from 1K to 10K and internet opinions galore.   Happy hunting.

Thanks.

I am new here and I want to do things correctly.  If I should open a thread, please let me know!

What I am searching for is a streamer/DAC for my stereo.  I have already determined that I will definitely use my Melos preamp.

My financial means are extremely modest.  I can see spending up to $1500 and that may take saving 300/month.  I can be patient.

First off, I live in an extremely rural area of South Dakota.  I am guessing the closest location to be able to sample equipment is about 6.5 hours away (Twin Cities).  In other words, not do-able.

I want to leverage as much as possible.  In other words, buy used.

So, it seems to make the most sense to me to become aware of viable streamers and DAC's for my situation and then patiently wait for any used ones that crop up.