2. digital
  3. 149050-1604

Computer to DAC Streamer

I am looking to get a digital-to-digital streamer for my new office system. I currently have a Sonare microRendu and that unit will move to another room once my new office system is built up. I also use ROON. I was originally considering getting a DAC with Ethernet streaming built-in but I may require a DAC with DSP and those DACs do not have this feature. I should add that the Linn SELEKT DSM streamer/DAC has Ethernet streaming and DSP but lacks the analog inputs I need (it also sounds excellent).

It has been suggested to me to buy an Innous streamer to get my music across to the DAC. However, I am trying to understand why these products are better than my current noisy computer combined with the micrRendu digital-to-digital type products. Anybody done a comparison? Is it because of noise on the Ethernet wire polluting the DAC?

http://innuos.com/en

In no particular order the following streamers have have come up in my research as being better than the microRendu I currently own (I have not heard these) :

Simaudio Mind2
https://simaudio.com/en/product/mind2-network-player/

Sonare Signiture Rendu
http://www.sonore.us/Signature-Rendu-SE.html

Auralic G2 Aeris
https://us.auralic.com/products/aries-g2

I am interested in the feedback or thought process of people who were making the same streamer decision as me. What did you guys end up getting or looking to get? I know there are a lot of lower costs alternatives and I am open to anything that will take my to the top tier sound level.

My preamp/DAC choice is looking like it will be the Anthem STR.
yyzsantabarbara
yyzsantabarbara OP
4,688 posts
 
@mgrif104 I had to do a little research on the Aurender N100H and the feedback you provided was what I was looking for.

There are so many factors when considering getting the bits to your DAC.
- location of hard drive
- type of hard drive
- wired vs wireless
- Ethernet or USB out from source
- Type of input into a DAC
- use an internal DAC in a streamer
- cables
- ROON | JRiver | others
- quality of audio system playing the tunes

I can find a link somewhere online from reviewers, manufacturers, and users that argue for various combination of these things with so much divergence in opinion.

Good thing is that almost all combinations of the approaches today sound better than in the days of my old Squeezebox (2004ish).

This old dog is starting to think that maybe I need to learn a new trick and give a dedicated audio server a shot.
yyzsantabarbara OP
4,688 posts
 
@dpac996 Your observations mirror mine regarding a noisy or busy computer streaming to a Rendu. I do not hear any difference when I have a lot of programs running on my computer. I have very good hearing (one of a few things I am good at).

However, the issue is whether a dedicated audio server is better than the noisy computer - Rendu approach. Quite a few posters are saying there is an audible difference with a dedicated server.
ahofer
225 posts
 

The marketdoes not lie. Nobody would be purchasing 
these devices if they didnt produce audibily superior results


While I am a huge fan and student of markets, i completely disagree.  The fact that people *want* something proves nothing about its superior properties, or audibility thereof.  People buy homeopathy, ICOs, pyramid schemes, horoscopes, large cap equity managers, Tice clocks, etc.  That does not demonstrate their superiority, only a preference, which may involve wishful thinking, status-seeking, a need for company, or bad probabilistic thinking.  There's even a lively debate in economics about the value of most college educations and whether they constitute signaling more than qualification.  Things are not what they seem.
ferrox
86 posts
 
I came from Auralic Aries to LDMS..big jump of performance. You might want to search this product and if possible, audition it.
shredder's avatar
shredder
113 posts
 
I have one of the first optical versions of the Sonore Signature Rendu. Highly recommended and a huge upgrade from the Microrendu. Ultra quiet, great tone, holographic imaging, smooth but not rolled off.
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