Stereolabb

Hi All, I’m contemplating a fairly comprehensive upgrade on my existing digital front end. Currently I have a Sonos Connect and Rega DAC. Having already got some Naim gear being a Supernait, I felt Naim and there new gen2 streamers would be a good start. However Auralic with their Aries G1 have really knocked it out the park. I was was thinking as an alternative option of teaming the G1 with a second hand Chord Hugo1 or 2Cute or Qutest DAC. These two options would come in at very similar costing. Interested in some thoughts on these two. Pros and cons, recommendations and any experience that people may have. Thanks John

Hi there, I'm about to purchase an Auralic Aries to replace my Sonos connect that will be partnered with my Rega DAC. Just wondering what digital connection people would recommend in this setup. My Rega DAC is an original model not the R and I seem to remember that USB was fairly poorly implemented so I think it would go down to Digital Co-Ax or Digital Optical. Does anyone have an opinion on which input will sound better? Also any recommendations on reasonably priced digital and analog interconnects would also be appreciated. Thanks John

Has anyone had any experiences with these: https://wyred4sound.com/products/digital-converters/remedy-reclocker Apparently a good upgrade for the Sonos. I was thinking perhaps to do this: iPad (Sonos App) > Sonos ZP90 > W4S Remedy > Chord 2Qute > Supernait Not quite hi-res that the Aries would offer, but the Sonos will play Redbook CD's and has a nice interface, I could then just wait it out a bit till the Aries software is a little more mature.

Any guesses on how this would compare to playing Spotify or Apple Music via a Sonos. For example: Wireless iPad (Spotify or Apple Music App) > Airplay > Auralic Aries > Chord 2Qute > Supernait vs Wireless iPad (Sonos App) > Sonos ZP90 > Chord 2Qute > Supernait Which would sound better?

Kinda thinkinking 2Qute now and a Auralic Aries to follow quickly. Just waiting to hear more about the microRendu and doing a little more research on the stability of the Aries. Just want to make sure it's a rock solid product now and streaming via Airplay and via USB is a solid reliable experience. The Sonos may have its limitations but it's a mature faultless product that just works.

Yes have seen a few of these wyred4sound have a couple different models as well, not sure if that is really going to elevate my digital system to where I want it though. Tempted to swap my priorities a little though. Perhaps buy the Auralic Aries first and see what is does with the Rega DAC?

Mike I think there is some real innovation coming to the industry. Auralic and microrendu seem to be thinking outside the box. And all at reasonable prices. The big brands may need to look up a little

Hard to believe it, I've read the same, and perhaps it's true. I'm sure there will be many (perhaps myself also) that will buy the more expensive Hugo still.

Hi Mike, In some ways I'm surprised Rega did not voice the DAC to be more like their turntables, thats what I was expecting, as you say its nice laid back but missing the details. Haven't made up my mind in USB vs spdif, I'll look into that further. Integrated routes are fine and I'll look into that, but its more expensive and I was all for matching gear, however from what I've been reading at the Naim forum, they are all tacking Hugo's and 2Qute's onto ND5 XS, NDS & NDX's so that's not great when you've spent that much. microrendu looks interesting, hard to work out what it is Is it a streamer when used with Roon?

Hi Mike, The Rega DAC is fine. And that's the problem it's "fine". Does everything well but it doesn't really pull any strings. My digital setup doesn't hold a candle to my analog rig so I'm after something a little more dynamic and resolving. The Chord has been described as analog like, as was the Rega DAC but I just want to go up the ladder a little and see what this hi-res scene is all about and how its sounds. With a young family, now my time to upgrade the digital, not buy expensive easily broken cartridges

Hi all, I'm looking to upgrade my digital setup on my system (Naim Supernait, Sonos ZP90, Rega DAC, Rega P7 + Dynavector 10x5, Dynavector P75, Quad 12L). My first thoughts are to replace the Rega Dac with a Chord Hugo, this would then act as the new cornerstone for the digital system. And probably give me the best bang for buck upfront. My thoughts are to follow this quickly with a Auralic Aries, I don't like to buy to many things at the same time, so I'll see what the 2Qute does then add the Aries. Can't ever see myself being able to afford a PS Audio DirectStream or PS Audio DirectStream Junior. And my thoughts are if I went an all Naim route, i.e. a Naim ND5 XS, the Sonos/Hugo combo would sound better for less with greater flexibility. With DAC's like the Hugo & 2Qute, Naim does seem to be suffering a little in the space at the moment. Also was wondering obviously ripped Redbook CD's will sound better from the better DAC, would I expect much of a lift from my streaming music services like Spotify or Apple Music? I've really been surprised by Apple Music, their Beats1 radio and curated playlists are really quite good. Look forward to the forum members thoughts. Happy to hear creative thinking, there is as always a lot of ways to do this. John