Metronome DSC, NuPrime Evolution and Radiotehnika

A French streaming DAC heads the main chain in this room, with the Metronome DSC feeding a NuPrime PRA-9X preamplifier and a pair of NuPrime Evolution Two-SE monoblocks, and compact Radiotehnika S-10NA monitors at the far end. Two simpler routes into music stood beside it, the Technics SC-CX700EE wireless speakers and the Technics SL-40CBTE record player, so the demonstration ran from a single pair of boxes up to full separates.

The system at a glance

The main setup counts five boxes, a network source, a line stage, two mono power amplifiers and a pair of small speakers, and it is a digital chain, with only the MM input of the preamplifier left for vinyl. The Evolution Two-SE lists at USD 4,199 each, and the DSC launched at EUR 24,990. The Technics pair carries its own amplifiers and streaming, which makes it the self-contained option in the room.

Why these components work together

The DSC combines network playback, an ES9038PRO converter and a Leedh digital volume control in a 17 kg aluminium case. It takes Ethernet, USB, AES/EBU, coaxial, Toslink and I2S over HDMI, decodes PCM to 32 bit and 384 kHz and DSD512, and offers XLR and RCA outputs. Its balanced output suits the single XLR input of the PRA-9X, which adds 17 dB of line gain, sets volume in 0.5 dB steps and has an MM phono stage with 50 dB of gain and switchable loading. Balanced leads continue to the Evolution Two-SE, a Class D monoblock rated at 300 W into 8 ohm and 600 W into 4 ohm, built on a 900 W toroidal transformer with 2 milliohm output impedance. The S-10NA is the powered form of the passive S-10N, with 2 x 30 W inside, Bluetooth aptX HD, USB-C, optical and an RCA input switchable between line and phono. Both use a 20 mm soft dome tweeter and a 108 mm Polyglass mid/bass, and the passive S-10N, rated at 86 dB and 4 ohm, is the version an outboard amplifier drives.

How it sounds

A 108 mm mid/bass in a small ported box rolls off around 62 Hz, so the bottom octave stays light and the pair works best close to the listener. The very low output impedance of the monoblocks keeps the small cone under firm control, which helps the timing of piano and plucked bass. Voices hold a clear centre image at moderate levels.

Considering a similar setup

Radiotehnika recommends 10 to 60 W for the passive S-10N, far below what the monoblocks can deliver, so the preamplifier volume needs a careful hand. The DSC has its own volume control and can feed the power amps directly, and the larger S-20NA or the one-box Evolution STA-SE are routes within the same brands.