DigitalAudioReview.net.au

HRT's Music Streamer II+ (AU$399) is an upgrade of the original Music Streamer + (like, duh) so that it now supports hi-res audio (24bit/96khz) and asynchronous data transfer, meaning the DAC doesn't rely on the computer's master clock. This DAC clocks its own data.

The Music Streamer II+ is an elegant metal box with candybar-esque dimensions. The USB socket sits at one end, the RCA connectors at the other. No specialised drivers were required for my iMac (running OS X 10.6) - plug and play and away I went.

The review system comprised a Jadis Orchestra Reference (EL 34) and a pair of Quad ESL 57s with an iMac running Pure Music and Amarra as a transport. This HRT device is a remarkably clean sounding DAC in such a small package. It displayed well-controlled bass that is good as far as it goes - as the HZ dropped, so did the control. It offers up generous mids and a nice (if slightly recessed) treble.  However, it sometimes failed on complex music with large dynamic swings. Allow me to explain further...

My first audition album was Alison Krauss + Union Station - Live. Alison Krauss is at her ebullient best on this album. Having obvious fun with the band, Union Station, and the audience Kraus’ haunting vocals layered very well over the band with easy delineation between the different sections and types of instruments used. The steel guitar, a highlight with Union Station, sounded present and true with a rich three dimensional soundstage created by the Music Streamer II+.

Moving on to Charlie Ventura & Flip Phillips' Ventura Clef Studio Sessions 1947-1954, the Music Streamer II+ presented these albums truthfully and with accurate timbre. The saxophones of both men sounded nuanced and subtle – timbre and tone was spot. Pace was also good and I heard plenty of texture and body. In fact, the HRT was consistently very good with swing jazz.

Ralph Vaughan (RV) Williams' Symphony No. 2 – The London made life more difficult for the HRT and the limitations of the II+ became apparent. Having said that, all budget DACs have difficulty with large dynamic shifts and transient change and The London has these in spades. The Music Streamer II+ sounded ragged and untidy with large scale orchestral pieces, the different sections of the orchestra sounding like blocks of noise. Tone and timbre remained strong. Unfortunately, the HRT struggled with mass strings as well as the very fast and dynamic passages (notably) in the Lento – Allergro Risolutto. But this is a test for the very best DACs so it is no wonder a sub-$400 box would struggle. The Music Streamer II+ was by no means unlistenable or embarrassed.

In the sub-$600 class, I prefer the TeraDak Chameleon's (AU$580) ease of musical flow. The CEntrance Dacport (AU$499) offers a richer, fuller-bodied sound and is also superior to the HRT. Mind you, one would expect so at AU$100 more. The HRT Music Streamer II+'s aesthetics are easier on the eye than the TeraDak and the CEntrance. The HRT also sounds far, far better than the more expensive Arcam rDac (which sounded cold and remote and was utterly hopeless with mass strings).

I enjoyed my three weeks listening to the HRT and whilst it's not up there in sound with the better DACs (at >$1000), it fared better than I expected. It's not an expensive DAC for entry-levellers and it looks nice. HRT make it a piece of cake to set up too. Very nice.

• Easy to setup
• Better than expected sound for the money
• Nice looking unit

• Struggles with more complex pieces

• iMac w/ Pure Music and Amarra Junior
• Jadis Orchestra Reference
• Quad ESL 57
• Arcam rDac
• CEntrance Dacport

• Alison Krauss + Union Station - Live (2003)
• Charlie Ventura & Flip Phillips - Ventura Clef Studio Sessions 1947-1954 (1998)
• Ralph Vaughan (RV) Williams - Symphony No. 2 – The London

• HRT Australia