If you’ve been looking for a great streaming DAC that’s reasonably priced, look no further than the HiFi Rose RS250. This gently owned piece sounds great, and accommodates Ethernet, USB and optical inputs with HDMI, USB, and SPDIF digital outputs as well.

In case you don’t have a DAC, the RS520 does have an onboard DAC, taking advantage of the ESS/Sabre chipset and features a pair of RCA analog outputs. In addition, you can upgrade the internal 500GB disc to 8TB if need be, and have a complete music server solution.

Like all of the HiFi Rose products we’ve used, reviewed, and own – build quality is fantastic, sound quality is top shelf, and functionality as good as it gets. If that’s not enough, there is also an excellent headphone amplifier, with a jack on the front panel. Perfect for a personal listening station!

This gently pre-owned RS250 is tough to beat for $1,499.

And you can buy it right here…

The Luxman L-505u is a fantastic anchor for a high quality, no fuss, hifi system. With 100 wpc on tap, multiple inputs (including a single balanced input) tone controls, and an on board MM/MC phono, you’re on your way. Even if you aren’t doing a starter system – add a streamer, a turntable and your favorite speakers. Call it a day and enjoy.

These Luxman receivers have to be seen and heard to be believed. Being that Luxman is an evolutionary company, even though there is a new version of the 505u, this one still sounds fantastic. The built in power amplifier section can produce 100 wats per channel into 8 ohms and 140 into 4 ohms. What you aren’t getting here that you get in the bigger receivers is the bigger power supply and additional headroom they provide, due to larger power supplies and a more robust output stage.

However, matched to a nice pair of moderate sensitivity speakers, if you don’t need to blast your music to concert hall levels, the sheer quality of the music delivered by the 505u with really surprise you. The phono stage is excellent, and the overall build quality is identical to the $10k Luxman amplifiers.

And those meters! Super cool. What’s not to enjoy? This might be one of the best values going for a tick under $2,600.

You can buy it here – just click.

There are so many things to like about the Aria Mk.3 from Rega. This small but capable solid-state MM/MC phono preamplifier does it all.

At the original MSRP of $1,695, Rega’s Aria Mk.3 is one of the best values going in analog. (As is nearly everything Rega makes) However, this slightly pre-owned example at $1,149 should be at the top of your list, if you are searching for a high-performance phono stage that’s reasonably priced – more money for records!

We’ve only reviewed the Mk.2, but the Mk.3 is on the way. Having heard the Mk.3, we can attest that everything that made the Mk.2 great is improved in the new model – and that’s the Rega way. Constant refinement.

The sound is natural and dynamic. Fortunately, the MC side of the Mk.3 has loading adjustments from 70 ohms to 400 ohms – which should cover nearly everything. Should you have one of the Rega MC cartridges, start at the 70 ohm setting and see what you think. Our experience has been that these cartridges are incredible loaded down low…

Aria’s half-width chassis makes it a perfect fit on the shelf for a Rega outboard power supply and speed controller. However, the thing we find the most exciting is the Aria’s ability to handle two turntables. Instead of just a gain switch, there are two seperate inputs – which makes this a fantastic way to plug two turntables into your system. The more you get into vinyl, the more useful this feature becomes.

Finally, the Aria Mk.3, like the Mk.2 has all discrete components in the signal path – no op amps. This is a big part of what makes this compact phono stage sound bigger and more dynamic than you might expect for the price. Definitely a class leader, even at full retail. But this one is a killer bargain.

You can purchase it right here. Just click.