Echo link and external DAC

[davek_964]

Historically, I have a fairly decent hi-fi setup. I ripped CDs to my NAS, streamed them to a Chord QBD76 DAC and then through amps.

However, I think I've now accepted that I'm happy streaming music rather than buying CDs - but this means I have a very expensive DAC which isn't being used.
I should sell it - but I'd prefer to use it. It has Bluetooth but won't connect to my echo.

The echo link - despite pretty negative reviews - would seem to do this. It has digital coax out which I could connect directly to the DAC.

Has anybody done this? Or is there a better solution?

[Miserablegit]

Just do it and see what you think.

A dac like that needs to be fed a decent signal - I think Amazon HD is not always HD so something like Tidal Masters would be a much more suitable source for the Dac assuming the Echo can work with streaming that .

[survivalist]

If you’ve got an optical input you could try one of these. I have one feeding a DAC and send music to it using Spotify connect.

Claims to support Tidal and be high res capable. Not tried anything but Spotify personally. Can always return it to Amazon if you don’t like it.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Goodmans-Module-Adaptor-S...

[davek_964]

I use Amazon music so would be reluctant to move to a non Echo device.

I've played around with my hi-fi in the last few days and done some experiments. Playing my music the 'old' way, through my DAC actually sounds far too bright to me now.
I tried using my phone - which does pair to the DAC - and it sounded better, but still not as good as the echo does when paired to my surround amp via Bluetooth.

I also have a Chord amp which is used as a power amp for the front two speakers - I tried taking that out to see if it really made much difference and it really does - so that will stay.

I've concluded that although the QBD76 should be much better than anything else I have - I do actually like the sound I'm getting with my current setup. It's very much not pure hi-fi (streaming via Bluetooth to the surround amp and playing through all speakers) but it does actually sound very good.

So I think I've decided the DAC should go - not worth it in the current l lockdown situation but when things get back to normal I'll stick it up for sale. Also have another Chord power amp that I've not used for years so will sell that too - the two together will give me some decent pocket money I think.

[bristolracer]

I would suggest that you move the DAC on sooner rather than later.
If its current technology then something bigger better newer will be launched soon and your kit will depreciate.
It wont matter so much with the amp, as people will always buy amps.

[Miserablegit]

That’s the beauty of hifi equipment - we all like different things and how they sound.
I don’t know much about the echo link but a quick google suggests it doesn’t support hi-res - on that basis the dac might have been too revealing of the source - a minger with the lights off is much better than in daylight

I’d be tempted to stream a decent source through the dac before you make your mind up - the main thing is you are happy with the sound it makes.

My cinema system is a mix of components from many manufacturers - certainly wouldn’t be recommended by any hifi magazine but I like the way it sounds.

Edited by Miserablegit on Saturday 2nd January 15:27