Стримеры — Kalista DreamPlay S

The DreamPlay S is a network streaming transport from Kalista, the French high-end brand whose products are hand-built by Metronome Technologie. No DAC is fitted inside, and the unit is designed as a music-only source that passes its digital output to an external DAC. It is offered in two finishes, Black Pearl and Diamond, and a sister model called DreamPlay SC adds an internal converter to the same platform.

Key specs that matter

The DreamPlay S processes linear PCM natively from 44.1 kHz to 384 kHz at up to 32 bit, and DSD from DSD64 to DSD256. How much of that reaches the DAC depends on the output used. Over S/PDIF and AES/EBU the transport sends PCM up to 32 bit and 384 kHz and DSD64 to DSD128 packed as DoP, while its I2S output carries native DSD all the way to DSD256. The unit joins a home network through a wired Gigabit port or through Wi-Fi on two bands, and a USB 2.0 port reads music from external storage devices. MQA rendering is supported up to 32 bit and 384 kHz. The back panel also has a service port. Kalista positions the model as a music-only source rather than a multi-purpose network player, so the rear panel carries only digital connections.

Engineering and use context

The transport draws its power from a separate supply, the Kalista Elektra module, rather than from a supply built into the transport chassis. Depending on configuration the weight can reach up to 14 kg. On the software side the unit carries Roon Ready certification and supports Deezer as well as the Connect functions of Spotify, Qobuz and TIDAL, and it can also act as a DLNA and UPnP renderer or be driven from Audirvana. With no analogue stage inside, the transport is aimed at listeners who already own a DAC they intend to keep and want a dedicated network source in front of it. Kalista also offers an optional anti-vibration silent base and a tripod stand as accessories for the transport.

Pairing

The three output types determine which DACs can take full advantage of the transport. A converter with an I2S input is needed for native DSD256, whereas a DAC with only coaxial or AES/EBU inputs can only receive DSD128 through DoP. Buyers wanting the network source and conversion in one Kalista box can choose the DreamPlay SC, which uses an ESS ES9039MPRO chip with balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA analogue outputs.

Alternatives

Kalista also makes the DreamPlay Stream, a network player whose internal conversion uses an AKM 4497 chip and its own Elektra supply.