dCS Network Bridge

[audio_engr]

I have a DCS network bridge at home now on loan over the weekend. After some struggling I got TIDAL to work (don’t worry, it’s me and not the machine that is slow...) and I was immediately impressed with the sound quality. OK, I had previously been using a SONY VAIO laptop (an expensive one but still not a dedicated audio computer) and I have only tried streamers from Auralic (both the Mini and the Aries, didn't like either), but still - the DNB is simply very, very good! The separation of individual sounds is incredible (there is a clearly noticeable start-stop to each sound, especially bass sounds, an airy but relaxed sound character) and I even like the user interface.

I haven’t gotten around to install Roon yet but will surely do that should I end up buying the DNB.

After a home audition with a D 220 I made the decision not to upgrade my D 400 to Pro (numerous reasons, the hefty cost being one, too small differences in sound another). Instead I decided to start upstream and get a good power cleaner/manager (I later got a Torus RM 16) and a good streamer to go with it. Hearing the difference that the RM 16 and now the DNB makes in my system has made me even more sure this was the right decision. It has also made me realize that the “old” Expert product range has a great deal of hidden potential, you just need to give it optimal conditions to experience it.

+ 1 ...................  

I am exactly of the same opinion as you esp. towards upgrading my D400 to Pro. The cost for upgrading would at the minimum cost $ 5000 (if not more now) and I would rather spend my money more wisely. 

I had always had my eye on the DNB. I would have bought it several months back but waited for more digital developments to break thru and observe how they unfold. DNB today is Roon ready, RAAT compatible and probably can do MQA too. The biggest plus-point that attracted me to the DNB is that it does AES/EBU XLR well .. thus the feed to D400 is via this input. And the big bonus of adding a dedicated Master Clock (Mutec REF 10) that will scale-up performance by several notches (of course at a $ 4000 expense !!). 

Keeping DNB in mind, I want to ditch my [Macbook Air + External hard drive] system that I currently use directly to my D400 via Ethernet to a better & robust system and this is where I am looking at :

1. Sonic Transporter i5 with internal 2TB SSD and Linear power supply       OR  
2. Roon Nucleus + with internal 2TB SSD and Linear power supply
Roon remote would be via iPad 

Question : Between sT i5 and Roon Nucleus +, what would folks here vote for ??