I'm intrigued by devices like the Oppo Sonica DAC and Auralic Altair.
(No doubt there are many others that I'm not aware of.)
For streaming Tidal (or accessing a library via NAS) it cuts down on clutter in a big way, assuming the internal DACs are good of course.
Assuming they are, this means you no longer need a separate PC or rendering device.*
You don't need a co-ax, optical or USB cable, or USB audio bits like reclockers or power cleanup filter thingies.
Data goes in via Ethernet and music comes out via RCA/XLR.
Of course, implementation is everything.
And maybe this is just a step on the way to the full integration of products like the higher end NAD amps with BluOS/Tidal integration, the Moon Ace Neo, Auralic Polaris, etc.
Personally I prefer to keep the amplification separate.
But I do feel that, technically and practically speaking, it makes sense to integrate streaming and DAC functionality.
http://www.dagogo.com/oppo-digital-sonica-dac-review
http://hometheaterreview.com/oppo-sonica-dac-reviewed/
http://www.hifiplus.com/articles/auralic-altair-wireless-streaming-dac/
http://hometheaterhifi.com/reviews/dac/auralic-altair-wireless-streaming-dac-review/
* The Altair does however offer Roon endpoint functionality, afaik.
(No doubt there are many others that I'm not aware of.)
For streaming Tidal (or accessing a library via NAS) it cuts down on clutter in a big way, assuming the internal DACs are good of course.
Assuming they are, this means you no longer need a separate PC or rendering device.*
You don't need a co-ax, optical or USB cable, or USB audio bits like reclockers or power cleanup filter thingies.
Data goes in via Ethernet and music comes out via RCA/XLR.
Of course, implementation is everything.
And maybe this is just a step on the way to the full integration of products like the higher end NAD amps with BluOS/Tidal integration, the Moon Ace Neo, Auralic Polaris, etc.
Personally I prefer to keep the amplification separate.
But I do feel that, technically and practically speaking, it makes sense to integrate streaming and DAC functionality.
http://www.dagogo.com/oppo-digital-sonica-dac-review
http://hometheaterreview.com/oppo-sonica-dac-reviewed/
http://www.hifiplus.com/articles/auralic-altair-wireless-streaming-dac/
http://hometheaterhifi.com/reviews/dac/auralic-altair-wireless-streaming-dac-review/
* The Altair does however offer Roon endpoint functionality, afaik.
