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iFi Audio Zen DAC Signature V2
01 / 07
iFi Audio Zen DAC Signature V2
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Product Description
The Zen DAC Signature V2 that builds on its predecessor in all the best ways—principle of which is the introduction of a 16-core processor instead of the V1’s 8 cores. This allows for much more powerful sampling with vivid details Read More
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keyboard_arrow_downdnartker
1
Jan 12, 2022
I’m looking for a solution for the following situation. I have a legacy receiver circa 1990 that has no digital capabilities. I’m looking for a device that can capture Amazon’s high def music service and delivery it to the rca inputs on the receiver. I’m currently using a Roku stick through an old tv. I want better sound. Any solutions?
HexCowboy
117
May 23, 2023
Many ways to solve this. One wife-friendly (simple) option is to get an inexpensive tablet, like the Samsung A7 lite (currently around $100 new) and a USB or Bluetooth DAC with RCA or XLR outputs that match your Amp (I mainly use Topping and FiiO DACs for this). Run Amazon HD Music, Spotify, Tidal, or any other file player and streaming service on the tablet. Connect tablet to DAC via BT or USB. Connect DAC to any amp.
You can skip the tablet and run the DAC from your phone via Bluetooth. However - warning: I find Bluetooth DACs unreliable. In the above scenario I control Spotify and Amazon HD music apps on tablet, remotely from my same apps on my phone. Connecting a dedicated tablet via USB is more reliable and always on. I put the tablet in a nice white wife-approved stand so it looks good and easy to use. It's basically a pretty, digital remote-controllable juke-box that doubles as a digital photo album when screen saver kicks on.
Wife much prefers Alexa voice controlled audio. We have this all over. You can run an Alexa device output from say an Echo, output 3.5mm to RCA to any amp and it will work okay as long as it can handle the input juice. Warning: I fried one Yamaha preamp doing this type of setup.
You can also pair most Alexa devices via Bluetooth to any BT DAC. Caution: every BT DAC I have tested goes into power saving mode and disconnects regularly requiring reboot of one or both devices (Alexa device and/or DAC), and/or manual BT reconnection, both of which the wife hates dealing with. If Amazon made a simple always-on USB output device: the problem would be partially solved, but as of now they don't make one. So non-Amazon tablet it is. I have been unable to get voice assistant, Alexa or Google, to work properly on a tablet similar to Alexa voice devices, I suspect because you cannot easily fork mic input for voice from audio output connection for music, as would be needed to make this work.
I also prefer Spotify over other streaming services, due to ability to use family accounts so my son's streaming doesn't interrupt my own and my wife's. Amazon Music does not support profiles, and while they claim to support multi-user streaming it constantly stops for us when family members start streaming in different rooms/on different devices. Having dedicated "jukebox" tablets with Spotify Family, and multiple accounts, solves this. Multiple phones can control said tablets running Spotify and Amazon HD music. This way family members rarely collide, and my wife doesn't blow a gasket when she's in the middle of singing and her song constantly stops due to son asking Alexa to play the latest annoyingly over-processed pop.
(Edited)
shortontime
11
Feb 20, 2022
I originally just connected an Amazon dot to the aux in input on my 90's Denon Amp with a $3 cord that plugs into the dot and has RCA plugs to plug into a receiver. It sounded really good, but the Dot can't process a Hi-Res feed, it uses the standard stream. When Amazon made Hi-Res available to all at no additional cost, I decided to get a streamer that could process the Hi-Res feed. I ended up with a Denon DNP-800ne Network Audio Player which will stream a Hi-Res feed (it has a bunch of other features as well). It sounds great but honestly I don't notice that much difference from when I just plugged the Dot directly into the receiver. There are many other streamers available, and Amazon has a specific device, the Echo Link, which is made to stream the Amazon Hi-Fi music, although reviews for it are not that great.
dnartker
1
Jan 17, 2022
That’s what I’m doing now. I’m looking for a “tuner” solution that will do a better job processing Amazon’s HiDef music stream for better fidelity.
jgillingham
182
Jan 17, 2022
dnartkerHere are some ideas. I think all of these would require a DAC with either HDMI or optical inputs.
https://www.reddit.com/r/youtubetv/comments/dhjc2y/any_devices_with_separate_audio_output/
MusicIsGreat
207
Feb 21, 2022
Go for a BlueSound Node 2i, it’s a streamer with many streaming vendors, it outputs to rca outs so that can be wired to your old receiver adding new life into it and you have yourself something growing with your needs and top quality output. Once you upgrade to digital, the streamer will be ready for you.
Michael200
2
Jul 29, 2023
This is a DAC only. You will need a headphone amp in addition to a DAC. There are some DAC/amp combo units, but this is not one of them.
Kenshiro70
137
Feb 20, 2022
The previous version did not have a power brick - you have to supply your own. However, it works just fine on USB power, so I never found it necessary.
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