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Post by stonedtroutbum on Feb 18, 2022 12:05:30 GMT -5
Hi, my current setup... Chromecast ultra> TV>optical from TV > PT1 > Basx A2 > KEF q350. There's an old Wharfedale sub in there somewhere.
I use Tidal and Qobuz.
The sound is Great. Wow. BUT..
How would I utilize a new DAC? Also, If I wanted to use a different streamer for music (chromecast for video) that included a DAC, How would I hook it up to the preamp to utilize its highest data rate.
Thank you for any help
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Post by Boomzilla on Feb 19, 2022 6:03:42 GMT -5
Two options:
1. Use the USB or coaxial inputs on the PT1 for your other sources or
2. Use an external DAC/Streamer and run its analog output into the CD or AUX inputs of the PT1
There are loads of reasonably priced streamer/DAC combos on the market. Some well-reviewed ones include:
Topping
SMS
Schiit
Auralic
I'm sure other Loungers will suggest more.
Cordially - Boomzilla
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Post by stonedtroutbum on Feb 19, 2022 16:23:52 GMT -5
Thank you for the reply. Do I need to use the optical in to bypass the DAC in the PT1,if im using a different? I've seen videos/reviews that discuss this, but I might be misunderstanding.
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Post by creimes on Feb 19, 2022 16:56:14 GMT -5
Thank you for the reply. Do I need to use the optical in to bypass the DAC in the PT1,if im using a different? I've seen videos/reviews that discuss this, but I might be misunderstanding. If you were to use a DAC before the PT-1 you would need to use RCA cables from the analog out of the DAC into one of the RCA analog inputs of the PT-1, though I find it hard to tell a big difference in DAC's but it can be there but in a certain price range it is subtle, only the guys with multi thousand dollar devices can tell a difference   but honestly you would benefit the most from a speaker upgrade or room treatments to get more per dollar out of a system, just my opinion though and who am I as I don't own $10,000 amps so I will never know what good sound is as some would say haha. |
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Post by localnet on Feb 19, 2022 22:41:02 GMT -5
What are you trying to accomplish and what is your budget?
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Post by stonedtroutbum on Feb 19, 2022 23:08:30 GMT -5
What are you trying to accomplish and what is your budget? I want to use a new streamer to take advantage of the higher bit rate the PT1 accepts. Right now ny chromecast gets to 48Kbps, id like to see 96 or better, or possibly a new DAC/Streamer if that makes more sense for any reason. Budget $600ish |
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Post by localnet on Feb 19, 2022 23:26:10 GMT -5
What are you trying to accomplish and what is your budget? I want to use a new streamer to take advantage of the higher bit rate the PT1 accepts. Right now ny chromecast gets to 48Kbps, id like to see 96 or better, or possibly a new DAC/Streamer if that makes more sense for any reason. Budget $600ish The BlueSound Node or look at the Denafrips, that gets great reviews, but is around $800. As you can see from my profile, or signature, I'm using the Cambridge CXN V2 streamer, and put it up against my Schiit Gungnir, a $1300 DAC, and I could only hear a slight difference vs the Cambridge DAC. Then you have your speakers, to be honest, they say they are 8 ohm at 87db, but I would bet they are more in the 6ohm range and could stand a bit more power via an upgraded amplifier to get the most out of them. Then a sub for a larger soundstage, two are even better. Let me throw this amplifier at you, the XTZ Edge A2-300, currently it is $490 and is shipped from Sweden, I bought it's big brother, and it arrived in just a few days. I think that would do much more for you than a DAC at this point with those KEF speakers. You can use the PT-1 as the preamp. I think something like this would take your speakers to the next level and get you closer to what I think you are looking for. But, this is just my opinion, and you know what they say about opinions... I would get some power to those KEF speakers. |
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Post by stonedtroutbum on Feb 20, 2022 7:43:56 GMT -5
I want to use a new streamer to take advantage of the higher bit rate the PT1 accepts. Right now ny chromecast gets to 48Kbps, id like to see 96 or better, or possibly a new DAC/Streamer if that makes more sense for any reason. Budget $600ish The BlueSound Node or look at the Denafrips, that gets great reviews, but is around $800. As you can see from my profile, or signature, I'm using the Cambridge CXN V2 streamer, and put it up against my Schiit Gungnir, a $1300 DAC, and I could only hear a slight difference vs the Cambridge DAC. Then you have your speakers, to be honest, they say they are 8 ohm at 87db, but I would bet they are more in the 6ohm range and could stand a bit more power via an upgraded amplifier to get the most out of them. Then a sub for a larger soundstage, two are even better. Let me throw this amplifier at you, the XTZ Edge A2-300, currently it is $490 and is shipped from Sweden, I bought it's big brother, and it arrived in just a few days. I think that would do much more for you than a DAC at this point with those KEF speakers. You can use the PT-1 as the preamp. I think something like this would take your speakers to the next level and get you closer to what I think you are looking for. But, this is just my opinion, and you know what they say about opinions... I would get some power to those KEF speakers. thanks for the detailed response!! I'm going to do a little research on those products you recommended. I think my Basx A2 is 160 watts per channel, and theyre able to play so much louder and cleaner than with my old AVR, I'm loving the A2, can turn it up to about 70% before it's to loud for me, and it's got clean sound all the way up. the KEFs really do sound great (to me) but, as always, good isn't ever good enough, Thank you for the recs!! |
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Post by stonedtroutbum on Feb 20, 2022 7:45:07 GMT -5
Oh, and I just ordered a Rythmik l12!
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Post by mgbpuff on Feb 20, 2022 9:28:33 GMT -5
What are you trying to accomplish and what is your budget? I want to use a new streamer to take advantage of the higher bit rate the PT1 accepts. Right now ny chromecast gets to 48Kbps, id like to see 96 or better, or possibly a new DAC/Streamer if that makes more sense for any reason. Budget $600ish Try the IFI Zen Streamer for $399. It has no DAC but outputs hi rez digital via USB or coax SPDIF ( ifi-audio.com/products/zen-stream/ ). I have one and I think it is terrific. |
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Post by stonedtroutbum on Feb 20, 2022 9:52:46 GMT -5
I want to use a new streamer to take advantage of the higher bit rate the PT1 accepts. Right now ny chromecast gets to 48Kbps, id like to see 96 or better, or possibly a new DAC/Streamer if that makes more sense for any reason. Budget $600ish Try the IFI Zen Streamer for $299. It has no DAC but outputs hi rez digital via USB or coax SPDIF ( ifi-audio.com/products/zen-stream/ ). I have one and I think it is terrific. my man! Was about to pull the trigger. Thanks! I'm thinking that into a DAC (maybe a Geshelli J2) |
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Post by mgbpuff on Feb 20, 2022 11:15:38 GMT -5
Never heard of Geshelli. Looks interesting, but kind of ugly. The Topping E50 at $269 is a good fit for the PT1 (since the PT1 isn't fully balanced or I would recommend the Topping E30 Pro). Plus both it and the Zen Streamer support MQA from Tidal (my favorite streaming source now).
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Post by AudioHTIT on Feb 20, 2022 11:43:13 GMT -5
I want to use a new streamer to take advantage of the higher bit rate the PT1 accepts. Right now ny chromecast gets to 48Kbps, id like to see 96 or better, or possibly a new DAC/Streamer if that makes more sense for any reason. Budget $600ish I just want to point out that if you add a new (external) DAC, the bitrate of the PT1 is irrelevant, the bitrate of the new DAC will be in effect and the connection to the PT1 would be analog. For video, 48Kbps would be appropriate, and a higher rate wouldn’t offer an advantage; for audio you’d want the streaming service / player / DAC to match the bitrate of the source (what’s generally known as bitperfect playback). I’d think most streamers that offer Tidal and Qobuz would do this. |
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Post by stonedtroutbum on Feb 20, 2022 12:18:56 GMT -5
I want to use a new streamer to take advantage of the higher bit rate the PT1 accepts. Right now ny chromecast gets to 48Kbps, id like to see 96 or better, or possibly a new DAC/Streamer if that makes more sense for any reason. Budget $600ish I just want to point out that if you add a new (external) DAC, the bitrate of the PT1 is irrelevant, the bitrate of the new DAC will be in effect and the connection to the PT1 would be analog. For video, 48Kbps would be appropriate, and a higher rate wouldn’t offer an advantage; for audio you’d want the streaming service / player / DAC to match the bitrate of the source (what’s generally known as bitperfect playback). I’d think most streamers that offer Tidal and Qobuz would do this. good points, thank you |
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Post by stonedtroutbum on Feb 20, 2022 12:20:07 GMT -5
Never heard of Geshelli. Looks interesting, but kind of ugly. The Topping E50 at $269 is a good fit for the PT1 (since the PT1 isn't fully balanced or I would recommend the Topping E30 Pro). Plus both it and the Zen Streamer support MQA from Tidal (my favorite streaming source now). lol, one of the reasons I like it is because of how it looks. And the owner just called me back to answer some questions. The sound gets good reviews also. Lots of fun stuff for me to check out. I believe it's also balanced, says something about that in the specs |
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Post by mgbpuff on Feb 20, 2022 15:23:12 GMT -5
Never heard of Geshelli. Looks interesting, but kind of ugly. The Topping E50 at $269 is a good fit for the PT1 (since the PT1 isn't fully balanced or I would recommend the Topping E30 Pro). Plus both it and the Zen Streamer support MQA from Tidal (my favorite streaming source now). lol, one of the reasons I like it is because of how it looks. And the owner just called me back to answer some questions. The sound gets good reviews also. Lots of fun stuff for me to check out. I believe it's also balanced, says something about that in the specs But the Emotiva PT1 does not even have XLR inputs, let alone balanced circuitry. So this dac seems like a waste for your equipment line up. Really the PT1 has a built in hi rez dac, so just run the IFI streamer digital out to the PT1 via either USB or SPDIF (USB preferred). |
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Post by stonedtroutbum on Feb 20, 2022 16:07:33 GMT -5
Thank you, new to this stuff, that makes sense
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Post by mgbpuff on Feb 20, 2022 16:38:38 GMT -5
Thank you, new to this stuff, that makes sense But wait - here's an even cheaper (sans MQA however) solution for under $100 - wiimhome.com/OverviewIt's available on Amazon for a limited time at $79 if you have Prime. Its USB-C is only for power so you would use the optical digital output to the PT1. But it is 24bit/192khz just like the PT1 spec. |
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Post by stonedtroutbum on Feb 20, 2022 20:21:11 GMT -5
Thank you, new to this stuff, that makes sense But wait - here's an even cheaper (sans MQA however) solution for under $100 - wiimhome.com/OverviewIt's available on Amazon for a limited time at $79 if you have Prime. Its USB-C is only for power so you would use the optical digital output to the PT1. But it is 24bit/192khz just like the PT1 spec. I've seen that, and the cheap price makes me nervous. Are all bitrates created equal? Does 24/96 sound the same from two streamers with significant differences in price if they're going into the same system? Are you paying for options or sound? |
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Post by mgbpuff on Feb 20, 2022 20:44:55 GMT -5
I have one. It sounds fine as a source to a D50 Topping DAC driving an A50 Topplng headphone amp. Due to this special sell, I just bought another one to use in my office. Digital is digital, so using the digital out would not be a weak point in your system. Now, I would probably bypass using the analog output. Some say a usb output is better than a coax output is better than an optical output. But I have never detected any difference.
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but honestly you would benefit the most from a speaker upgrade or room treatments to get more per dollar out of a system, just my opinion though and who am I as I don't own $10,000 amps so I will never know what good sound is as some would say haha.
