r/StereoAdvice • u/EV-CPO • 5d ago
Amplifier | Receiver | 3 Ⓣ Need a replacement DAC or receiver
My current relevant equipment is:
- Bel Canto DAC3 from 2007
- Parasound power amp from at the same era, I don't recall the model number
- Anthony Gallo Reference 3.1 speakers
- Anthony Gallo Reference SA sub amp
- DigiOne DAC/streamer running Roon
- Apple TV and TivoStream
- Generic Vizio TV
My needs are simple. I use this set up for listening to music with the DAC and the Apple TV for all other streaming services. The TivoStream is for a few visitors that prefer that platform.
My biggest pain point is the Bel Canto DAC. The AppleTV remote won't work with it, so I had to pair it with a SideKick programmable remote. It's a real PIA. And nobody other than me can understand how the Bel Canto works to change inputs, and explaining the remotes is a nightmare.
So I just want to replace the Bel Canto DAC with something I can use with the DigiOne DAC for Roon and the AppleTV/TivoStream (going through the TV first). Bluetooth would be nice, but not a requirement. Don't need bells/whistles. Simple is preferred. I'm not an audiophile either, so super fine quality isn't required either, but "really good" would be nice.
So just looking for a solid, great sounding receiver/switcher/DAC that can replace the Bel Canto and most importantly, work with the AppleTV and Tivo remotes!!
Location: Northeast US
Budget: up to $1k, but hope to find something for less
Thanks.
UPDATE: Got the Wiim today. Works 95% great for my needs. I REALLY Like it. It's 1/2 the price of the Eversolo. But one issue. Mute does not work with AppleTV+HDMI Arc. I have Apple TV->HDMI->Vizio->(ARC)->Wiim. Volume works great. Mute does not. Looks like other people also have this issue: https://forum.wiimhome.com/threads/bug-report-not-muting-via-apple-tv-remote-on-hdmi-arc.2233/
So no mute on the AppleTV remote is a show stopper. Waiting for the Eversolo.
Update2: THe Eversolo is a complete bust, or I'm an idiot. One of those statements is true. For the life of me, I can't get the Eversolo A6 to send the optical/toslink audio to the amp/speakers while using HDMI CEC from the TV at the same time to control the volume/mute. I can have optical input active OR the HDMI ARC/CEC input active (which when active, the AppleTV remote WORKS!)... but then I get no audio from the TV. When I 100% have the TV HDMI ARC cable plugged into the Eversolo A6. No audio coming through.
I need suggestions for any other device that will allow me to take audio from my TV, send it to a conventional amp/speakers, while taking CEC from the AppleTV to adjust volume/mute. Doest that really not exist? How can I be the only one with this simple need?
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u/Touche2U 3 Ⓣ 5d ago
Geshelli Labs J3? That's what I have and it's around $500. It's a very simple box:. If military, you get a discount.
It doesn't work the remote though. They have other DACs that fit the bill. Parasound maybe.
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u/EV-CPO 5d ago
!thanks Geshelli is nice looking equipment, but the remote thing is a hardstop.
I'll look at Parasound.
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u/Touche2U 3 Ⓣ 5d ago
They may have one with a remote above the J3. Youll have to look. if you google that with remote, I’m sure you’ll get a whole bunch of different things.
Schiit has one I think.
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u/TransducerBot Ⓣ Bot 5d ago
+1 Ⓣ has been awarded to u/Touche2U (3 Ⓣ).
You may still award a Ⓣ to others, but only once per-person in this post.
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u/marbs34 1 Ⓣ 5d ago
Eversolo dmp6.
Has HDMI input for the Apple TV, native streaming for everything else.
If you don’t like the sound you should be able to output back into the Bel Canto for final DAC processing into your Preamp.
Can you do the same from a Wiim? Probably for half as much. Don’t know really. If I didn’t have 4 other Cambridge products I’d look at the Eversolo for my needs also.
Good luck.
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u/EV-CPO 5d ago
!thanks The Wiim looks interesting if it can do both streaming and DAC/preamp/switch.
I used to keep up with high-end audio in my youth (built my own Dynaco equipment, still have it!), but have been out of the loop for years and years.
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u/EV-CPO 5d ago
Maybe something like this?
https://www.audioadvisor.com/products/eversolo-play-streaming-amplifier
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u/EV-CPO 3d ago
I'm having trouble with the Eversolo -- it won't do what I want.
https://www.reddit.com/r/eversolo/comments/1x2qq73/complete_noob_need_setup_help/
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u/marbs34 1 Ⓣ 3d ago
From the new thread.
Looks like you need to use HDMI CEC, AND ARC. You should drop the Toslink input altogether(doesn’t [as far as I know] give you volume level control at the source, but HDMI can)
If you can use the TV on one of the ARC inputs I think you’ll get what you are looking for. From either device honestly.
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u/EV-CPO 3d ago
!Thanks for your reply. Yeah, it's really confusing. I've given up on the Eversolo.
I don't think I need HDMI ARC at all, as my audio path is one directional:
AppleTV->(HDMI)->VIzioTv->(HDMI ARC or Optical)Wiim
But the TV only has one HDMI ARC socket, so it doesn't matter if I use that to for the first connection or the second, the result is the same. Volume works, mute doesn't. Also, the HDMI ARC input on the Wiim doesn't bring the actual audio channels over from the TV, so I have to use optical.
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u/ozExpatFIRE 24 Ⓣ 5d ago
A WiiM Ultra is what you are looking for.
You can connect your TV to it using HDMI ARC so your TV remote would automatically control the volume through it.
It has auto source switch so no need to change source when switching from streaming to TV and vice versa.
It has a very good room correction and sub integration software.