8 Audiophile Source Components You Cannot Live Without in 2024

RICKY KOVACS | MOON AUDIO STAFF/MAR 15TH 2024

Read Time: Approx. 12 min.

Our Favorite Music Streamers, CD Players, & Turntables

In the world of music listening, the quality of your source is paramount. Whether you're spinning vinyl on a turntable, enjoying the fidelity of a CD player, or diving into the world of high-resolution streaming with a music streamer, the source of your music can make all the difference. These devices serve as the gateway to your favorite tunes, acting as the bridge between the recorded music and your ears. In this blog, we'll explore why the quality of your music source matters, how it can impact your listening experience, and why investing in a high-quality turntable, CD player, or music streamer can elevate your enjoyment of music to new heights.

Yes, we're hardly into 2024 but we're just too excited to wait to talk about some of our favorite music/sources for the year. Some of these are brand new - like Technics products that we just picked up. They have some terrific offerings in the turntable and amplifier department, and we're happy to be able to provide more options to vinyl heads out there. TEAC is one of our long-time best-selling brands at Moon Audio and their 500 and 700 series music players/streamers/CD players are all the rage right now. CD (compact discs) are making a comeback in very much the same way vinyl has, and we're seeing more CD players and transports arriving on the market. TEAC's UD-505T and VRDS-701 make our list this year and it's hard to beat the quality (both build and sound) that they provide.

Matrix Audio has some of the best music streamers on the market, and their latest product in the Element series - the Element S - brings digital connections to the forefront. The Element S offers a slew of digital outputs for just about any setup imaginable, and it was designed to deliver the most pristine audio quality in a standalone music streamer. Chord Electronics, Bluesound, and more - I don't want to give all my talking points away up here, so keep scrolling or click a product below to learn more!

"Your source device can be one of the most important pieces in the signal chain, whether it's analog or digital. Figuring out which offers the best performance for the dollar can be daunting. Here are a few of my picks for the best sources in 2024. You've seen our review on the Teac Transports, and there's no better way to rediscover all your CDs. I have a long history with Technics. Back in the 80s and 90s, I was a House Music DJ, spinning on the Technics SL1200 MKII tables. So, when I had the opportunity for a family reunion, I jumped at the chance. The Technics SL-1500C-K, with its built-in phono preamplifier and included cartridge, makes it easy to dive into the analog craze. For streaming, look no further than two of the best in the business right now: Aurender and Matrix Audio. There's a model for every price point, but the Aurender A200 and the Matrix Audio Element S are sweet spots for all things streaming."

- Excellent sound quality across the board
- CDs are back baby!

- User experience and intuitive controls
- Easy streaming setup

Record Players

Technics SL-1500C-K Direct Drive Turntable

The SL-1500C turntable from Technics embodies the brand's renowned high-end sound quality philosophy while incorporating a range of innovative Technics technologies. Featuring a coreless direct drive motor and a high-sensitivity tonearm, this turntable is engineered to deliver exceptional audio performance. What sets the SL-1500C apart is its built-in Phono EQ, making it incredibly easy to play analog records by connecting to a variety of devices without the need for an external phono preamp. Additionally, the SL-1500C comes equipped with the acclaimed Ortofon 2M Red phono cartridge, known for its superb tracking ability and detailed sound reproduction. Whether you're an avid audiophile or a casual listener, the SL-1500C offers a complete turntable system that caters to a wide range of users, making it a versatile and accessible option for enjoying the warmth and authenticity of vinyl records. Features:

The Latest Coreless Direct Drive Motor Achieves High-precision Stable Rotation
Complete Turntable with a Built-in Phono Equalizer and Cartridge
Equipped with an Auto Lifter Function That Allows You to Enjoy Playing Records More Comfortably
Simple Design with Functional Beauty

Learn more about the SL-1500C-K Turntable

The Blue Dragon is designed to be as neutral as possible without sounding dry or flat and utilizes our famous UP-OCC copper conductors. This transition from a silver to a copper-based conductor design brings it in line with the rest of the Blue Dragon series and makes for a perfect pairing with Technics turntables, offering pure clean audio without coloration.

Blue Dragon Sound Signature: The Blue Dragon is our value cable line. Using copper strands, it combines the neutrality of the Black Dragon with the clarity of the Silver Dragon at a lower price point. The Blue Dragon is a good fit for improving dynamics without adding coloration. Its calm and neutral sound makes it a great place to start with premium cables. For more information on finding your signature sound, visit our Sound Signature Guide.

Dragon Cable Recommendation: Blue Dragon Interconnect

CD Players/Transports

TEAC Audio PD-505T CD Transport

The TEAC PD-505T CD Transport is a dedicated CD transport and is solely focused on extracting the best possible audio quality from your compact discs. Featuring a robust and sleek design, this CD transport boasts a high-quality slot-loading mechanism for quick and easy disc loading. Equipped with advanced technologies such as a high-precision CD drive mechanism and a custom-designed transport, the PD-505T ensures accurate and jitter-free playback. Additionally, it offers a range of connectivity options, including digital outputs for seamless integration with external DACs or digital audio systems. Based on the original CD drive design used in the CD-5020A, which boasts a record for many years of use by professional products, TEAC developed a new design optimized for the PD-505T. Utilizing semi-floating mounting and a new drive circuit design, they have designed a player capable of incredibly accurate disc reading with a high level of sonic purity. With support for 10MHz clock input, not only can this transport be used together with a TEAC Reference 500 Series DAC, but it can also be used flexibly to enable high-quality audio CD playback with a variety of digital playback systems. Features:

High-quality slot-loading mechanism allows for quick and easy loading of compact discs.
High-precision CD Drive mechanism ensures accurate and reliable playback with minimal jitter.
Offers various digital output options for seamless integration with external DACs or digital audio systems.
Delivers smooth and uninterrupted playback of audio CDs with jitter-free playback.
Easily integrated into existing audio setups using standard rack-mounting systems.

Learn more about the TEAC PD-505T CD Transport

The Silver Dragon Digital cable will provide plenty of detail and an open presentation, making a perfect fit for TEAC CD players. It will provide a more cohesive sound with very fast attack and tight bass. This cable is by no means bright but also not warm. It will provide you with the best digital transmission possible for your digital gear. The Silver Dragon is fairly flexible and bends fairly easily.

Silver Dragon Sound Signature: Silver strands clarify instrument separation, increase soundstage, and find previously lost high and mid-frequency sounds. Transients appear more cohesive and the bass tighter for a more controlled sound. The detail and clarity of the Silver Dragon make it a perfect match for classical music and other genres with many nuanced instruments. For more information on finding your signature sound, visit our Sound Signature Guide.

Dragon Cable Recommendation: Silver Dragon Coax Digital Cable

TEAC Audio VRDS-701 CD Player and USB DAC

Introducing the TEAC VRDS-701 CD Player and USB DAC, a versatile and high-performance audio component designed to elevate your listening experience. This premium device combines the functionality of a top-of-the-line CD player with the versatility of a USB DAC, providing audiophiles with a comprehensive solution for enjoying their favorite music. With a focus on precision engineering and superior sound quality, the VRDS-701 boasts a range of impressive features, including a high-quality CD transport mechanism, asynchronous USB input, balanced and unbalanced outputs, and customizable digital filters. Whether you're rediscovering your CD collection or streaming high-resolution audio from your computer, the TEAC VRDS-701 delivers exceptional audio fidelity and flexibility for the most discerning listeners. Features:

A newly developed VRDS mechanism is used for the CD drive
An original TEAC-designed discrete DAC is used for the digital audio converter, which is key to determining audio quality
Fully-balanced dual mono circuit structure realizes outstanding channel separation
Direct connection with a power amplifier is possible thanks to volume control that uses a TEAC-QVCS analog preamp circuit
As a USB DAC, 22.5MHz DSD and 384kHz/32-bit PCM data can be played back

Learn more about the TEAC VRDS-701 CD Player and USB DAC

The Silver Dragon USB cable is our best-selling USB cable at Moon Audio, offering an extraordinary amount of detail and resolution to your hi-fi system. The Silver Dragon USB cable is designed to transfer digital audio from your source device (like the TEAC VRDS-701) to a USB-capable DAC. It is built to USB Audio specs. The Silver Dragon USB Cable is meant for audio data transfer only - meaning that this cable should not be used for high-speed data transmission (for external hard drives). Because of the high-quality materials and cable geometry, our USB cables will greatly reduce stock USB cable issues such as packet loss and jitter.

Cable Design: The Silver Dragon was created with ultrapure silver conductors for the best in signal transfer for your digital music. The cable uses 99.99998% UP-OCC Stranded Silver 24AWG Teflon insulated stranded conductors with a double layer shield to ward off outside interference. The Silver Dragon USB is the most resolute USB cable on the market today for an amazing price point. Be prepared to be amazed at the difference it will make when transferring your computer audio catalog to your USB applications.

Dragon Cable Recommendation: Silver Dragon USB Audio Cable

Technics SL-G700M2 SACD Player and Network Music Player

The Technics SL-G700M2 SACD Player and Network Music Player is a versatile audio component that combines the best of SACD playback with the convenience of network streaming. This advanced player is designed to deliver exceptional sound quality for both physical discs and digital music files. With its high-quality DAC and network connectivity, the SL-G700M2 offers a range of features to elevate your audio experience. Whether you're enjoying your favorite SACDs or streaming music from online services, this player promises rich, detailed sound and versatile playback options. It features the dual ESS ES9026PRO chip DAC design, symmetrical architecture, Technics' proprietary coherent processing technology, and much more. If you're looking for an SACD player that delivers your favorite music with the presentation it deserves, then look no further. Features:

Premium High Precision Coherent D/A Converter
Coherent Processing Technology
Multi-stage Silent Power Supply
Current Injection Active Noise Cancelling
Ability to play a wide variety of music sources including Super Audio CD and MQA

Learn more about the Technics SL-G700M2 SACD Player

Our top-of-the-line copper-based interconnect, the Bronze Dragon offers a balanced and musical sound with excellent bass control. The braided geometry in this design acts as a noise rejection barrier, making this an especially quiet cable for pro audio as well as home use. The Bronze Dragon Interconnect is the newest addition to our Dragon Interconnect lineup. It's modeled after the design of our top-selling Silver Dragon Interconnect, but with pure UP-OCC copper.

Bronze Dragon Sound Signature: UP-OCC copper strands in the Bronze Dragon Interconnect provide the most musical and balanced sound that can be found in the marketplace. You get a wonderfully full presentation with the tightest control of bass we have heard to date from our Dragon Interconnects. For more information on finding your signature sound, visit our Sound Signature Guide.

Dragon Cable Recommendation: Bronze Dragon Interconnect

Music Streamers

Bluesound Node Hi-Res Music Streamer

The Bluesound NODE Hi-Res Music Streamer is one of our best-selling products here at Moon Audio and it's no surprise. The NODE is a great entry-level product for someone who is ready to enjoy the world of hi-res streaming. It's a basic, easy-to-understand streaming system that connects to any existing stereo amp, AV receiver, or powered audio system. The NODE has a clean and accurate sound signature and has a headphone jack for an immersive listening experience. The NODE X is the 10th-anniversary limited edition streamer of the NODE series streamers. It's a nod to the NODE, retaining the functionality of the NODE with some design upgrades and new additions: A 1/4-inch headphone jack, an integrated headphone amplifier, and an upgraded DAC. Features:

Connect to any existing stereo amplifier, AV receiver, or powered audio system.
Powered by state-of-the-art Quad-Core 1.8ghz ARM® Cortex™ A53 processor and a 32-bit/384khz premium DAC design.
HDMI eARC connectivity, digital, optical, and analog input/output options, with wired and wireless headphone and subwoofer outputs.
Hi-res audio streaming with access to Internet radio stations, cloud music services, and your own local music library.
Dual-band Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet, and support for two-way Bluetooth aptX HD Bluetooth ensures MQA music playback without interruption.

Learn more about the Bluesound Node Music Streamer

The Black Dragon USB cable utilizes our single crystal UP-OCC copper construction to provide you with the best possible digital bus transmission. Our Black Dragon USB cable will bring an extraordinary amount of detail and resolution to your hi-fi system. The Black Dragon USB cable is designed to transfer digital audio from your source device (like the Bluesound Node) to a USB-capable DAC. It is built to USB Audio specs. The Black Dragon USB Cable is meant for audio data transfer only - meaning that this cable should not be used for high-speed data transmission (via external hard drives). Because of the high-quality materials and cable geometry, Dragon USB cables greatly reduce stock USB cable issues such as packet loss and jitter.

Cable Design: The Black Dragon USB cable was created with 99.999% pure copper 24AWG Teflon insulated stranded copper conductors with a double-layer shield to ward off outside interference. Be prepared to be amazed at the difference it will make when transferring your computer audio catalog to your USB applications.

Dragon Cable Recommendation: Silver Dragon USB Audio Cable

Chord Electronics 2GO Wireless Streaming Device

With the Chord Electronics 2Go, you can turn your Chord Hugo 2 into a high-performance hifi streamer and server via a wi-fi or ethernet-enabled device. The 2GO is very similar to what the Chord Poly is for the Chord Mojo, but the Hugo 2 and 2GO are next level when it comes to sound and performance. In addition to its wireless music streaming abilities, the 2GO offers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth WLAN as well as wired LAN for a much more stable connection. The Chord 2GO also expands the ability to add micro SD cards, with 2 microsd card slots for expandable music storage, for a total of up to 4TB of external storage (x2 2TB micro SD cards). This makes the 2GO and Chord Hugo 2 pairing function as a high-capacity digital music server using MPD. The 2GO is controlled by the same Go Figure App used to control the Poly. Features:

Seamlessly stream music wirelessly from a variety of sources, including streaming services, network storage, and connected devices.
Experience studio-quality audio with Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) decoding, allowing you to enjoy high-resolution audio streams in their full glory.
Supports multiple connection options, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, ensuring versatile and reliable connectivity.
With an integrated microSD card slot, you can easily expand the device's storage capacity to carry more of your favorite music on the go.
Benefit from Chord Electronics' advanced technology, such as the FPGA-based DAC architecture, ensuring precise and accurate audio reproduction.

Learn more about the Chord Electronics 2GO Music Streamer

The Silver Dragon USB Cable is our best-selling cable at Moon Audio and the perfect companion for the Chord 2GO and Hugo 2. The Silver Dragon USB transfers digital audio from a computer or portable device such as a Phone, Tablet, or DAP (digital audio player) to a USB-capable DAC. It can also double as a quality charging cable. We also recommend the Silver Dragon Network Cable for the 2GO for compatibility with the integrated LAN port. The Network cable ensures high-speed, low-latency, and low-jitter-perfect bit rate communication between your audio components and network.

Cable Design: The Silver Dragon was created with ultrapure silver conductors for the best signal transfer for your digital music. The cable uses 99.99998% UP-OCC Stranded Silver 24AWG Teflon insulated stranded conductors with a double-layer shield to ward off outside interference. The Silver Dragon USB is the most resolute USB cable on the market today for an amazing price point. Be prepared to be amazed at the difference it will make when transferring your computer audio catalog to your USB applications.

Dragon Cable Recommendation: Silver Dragon USB Audio Cable

Aurender A200 Caching Network Server

Love your music the "Aurender Way," at a real-world price. The A200 music streamer and network server delivers unrivaled performance and replaces the A100 as Aurender's most compact and economical Analog Output Network Player. The Aurender A200 offers the renowned Aurender user experience - a premium streaming application that gives you everything you need for your music. The A200 is an ideal choice for the music lover building a high-performance yet affordable digital audio system. The A200 is meant for the audiophile who has an extensive local digital music library, with 2 drive slots, you can install the largest capacity 2.5-inch drives needed for an incredible amount of local storage for your library. You can even connect external storage for additional options to expand your local music library. With analog outs and coax and optical digital ins, The Aurender A200 is the new high-end music streamer and network server to beat at this price. Features:

Upgraded Replacement of A100 with Intel N4200 Quad CPU
Stereo AKM 4490 Full-Decode MQA DAC
PCM up to 768kHz/32bit. DSD up to 256
Single-ended Analog Outputs / USB Digital Output
Full-Color 6.9″ 1280 x 480 Wide IPS LCD display
Storage (user installed) 2 x 2.5” Tray for SSD or HDD
Increased SSD Cache to 240GB / System Memory to 8GB

Learn more about the Aurender A200 Network Music Server

With this version 2, we redesigned the geometry to take our interconnects to the next level. We still use an 8 wire braided geometry made up of solid core 99.999% pure silver 26AWG Teflon insulated wire, and we modified the braiding and added an external shield for added protection. The braided geometry itself acts as a noise rejection barrier but we also added an iron curtain with the external shield. More often, our customers are using our cables on PC Hi-Fi systems and Pro Studios where noise is an issue which is the reason we added this shield. The shield also adds more durability to the cable for runs on a studio floor.

Silver Dragon Sound Signature: The Silver Dragon is the original cable. Silver strands clarify instrument separation, increase soundstage, and find previously lost high and mid-frequency sounds. Transients appear more cohesive and the bass is tighter for a more controlled sound. The detail and clarity of the Silver Dragon make it a perfect match for classical music and other genres with many nuanced instruments. For more information on finding your signature sound, visit our Sound Signature Guide.

Dragon Cable Recommendation: Silver Dragon Interconnect

Matrix Audio Element S Music Streamer

The Element S from Matrix Audio fills in an interesting gap in the Element lineup of hi-fi products. Equipped with a premium selection of Digital Outputs, this streamer is unlike the rest in that it prioritizes the digital connection to the DAC rather than adding the DAC and amp circuit into the design. It's meant to deliver pristine and uber-clean digital data to your DAC or connected device for the best audio quality. For purists or those who just want a high-end music streamer to integrate into their current system, then this is one of the best music streamers out there at this price. If you like your existing DAC sound, amplifier, etc, and you're the type of audiophile who likes to piece their system together based on the signature of individual components, then the Element S will fill that hole for those looking for a quality music streamer at the under-$2,000 price point. Features:

Enjoy studio-quality sound with support for high-resolution audio formats such as PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz and DSD up to DSD256, ensuring exceptional audio fidelity.
Experience authenticated studio-quality sound with Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) decoding, allowing you to stream MQA audio files and unfold them to their full resolution.
Stream music from various sources, including popular streaming services like Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, and more, as well as local network storage and connected devices.
Easily stream music from your smartphone or tablet wirelessly using Bluetooth or AirPlay connectivity, offering flexibility in playback options.
The Element S features dual femtosecond clocks for improved timing accuracy, reducing jitter and ensuring precise audio reproduction.
Roon Ready

Learn more about the Matrix Audio Element S Music Streamer

The Silver Dragon USB Cable is our best-selling cable at Moon Audio and the perfect companion for the Element X2. The Silver Dragon USB transfers digital audio from a computer or portable device such as a Phone, Tablet, or DAP (digital audio Player) to a USB-capable DAC. It's perfect for the Element S and provides extensive detail retrieval and clarity across the board. With the Element S, the goal is pristine and crystal-clear audio quality, and with the Silver Dragon USB Audio Cable you'll find absolutely nothing in the way of you and your favorite music. It's a sound you'll have to hear to believe.

Dragon Cable Recommendation: Silver Dragon USB Audio Cable

Dragon Cables

Our HiFi Audio Dragon Cables bring out more of what you love in your music and audio gear. If you love your headphones but wish they had a bit more top-end sparkle - a Silver Dragon Headphone Cable would be a great option. If your USB cables keep dying - as many stock cables do - then check out our quality USB Audio Cables. We say time and time again that materials matter, and our audio cables and custom geometries actually help to bring out those desired properties in your gear and music. We make tons of custom options for our customers so that you can get the right HiFi Audio cable for your exact needs. If you have any questions feel free to Contact Us and we'll be more than happy to help.

Generally, stock audio cables are manufactured with subpar materials, metals with impurities, poor geometries, and an overabundance of layers to make them look and feel like a fire hose. Inconsistency and lack of quality control in stock cables can lead to poor sound quality and a veiled sound vs. what the musician intended for you to hear and feel from the music. Dragon Audio Cables are handcrafted with the highest standards and made to order according to your specific needs. At Moon Audio, we create a custom cable for you using the highest quality UP-OCC silver or copper conductors that can be manufactured. UP-OCC metals are void of impurities and are optimized for signal transfer and sound quality. We have one of the largest collections of audio and headphone connection options available online and we create limitless audio cable options depending on your specific gear and needs.

Why Dragon Cables?

You’ve heard the saying that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, right? Well, the same applies to your brand-new audiophile-grade headphones or other audio components. The weakest link, in this case, is your stock audio cable or the cheap interconnects the manufacturer threw in the box just to get you up and running. Why is the audio cable always an afterthought, when it’s just as important as the rest of your system? At Moon Audio, we use the purest and best raw materials in our cables to unveil your music. We believe that materials matter and your audio cables should have the same care and craftsmanship that manufacturers put into their audio components and headphones. Audio cables are ultimately the connection to your music. The fact remains that cabling is often considered the last priority to that of the main product and a means to cut down the overall production costs. It’s as simple as that. Dragon Cables elevate every note - as if you were hearing your favorite music for the very time.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DRAGON CABLES

Verdict

As we wrap up this exploration into some of our favorite music sources of 2024, it becomes abundantly clear that the quality of the device you choose has a profound impact on your entire listening experience. Whether you find solace in the nostalgic crackle of vinyl, revel in the pristine clarity of CDs, or immerse yourself in the endless possibilities of high-resolution streaming, the foundation of your enjoyment lies in the source.

Each of these platforms offers a unique sonic journey, a gateway to the artist's intended expression. A high-quality turntable brings forth the warmth and richness of analog sound, transporting you back to a time when music was an intimate affair. Meanwhile, a top-notch CD player delivers the purity and precision of digital audio, preserving every subtle nuance and detail as the artist intended. And in today's digital age, a premium music streamer opens doors to a vast library of high-resolution tracks, offering a level of clarity and depth that was once unimaginable.

Investing in these devices is not merely a quest for the latest technology; it's a tribute to the artistry and craftsmanship behind the music itself. They are the conduits through which the artist's passion and creativity flow, reaching your ears in all its glory. So, the next time you settle in for a listening session, take a moment to reflect on the importance of your music source. It is the key that unlocks the full potential of your favorite songs, albums, and artists, allowing you to immerse yourself fully in the magic of music.