Looking for a front end streamer only.


I am looking for a front end streamer that I can get the cleanest sound out such as the Auralic Aries 2.1 or Dcs Network Bridge etc.I mostly would stream Tidal and Qobuz but would like Roon end point too. I have a Anthem STR integrated amp and Focal Aria 936 floor standing speakers. Mostly been doing Vinyl and Cd's. Looking to join the streaming world. Will buy a better Dac later. Don't want to spend more than about  6k. I would like to use my ipad for controlling everything. I have a dedicated ethernet connection or can do wifi.
airmanmike54
Why do people want to spend more than the cost of Node 2i?
There is no such thing as "cleaner sound" in the digital domain provided you are not losing bits of your FLAC. The DAC, however, will make a difference -- but no need to spend more than about $1,200. Ditto for cabling, digital and good (but not exotic) balanced.
I have the Auralic Aries G2.0 and can certainly recommend you consider the G2.1 based on my experience. I also have an Aurender N100H which the Auralic bests handily as well as a Node 2i (used as a streamer only - not the built in DAC) which isn’t in the same ballpark of the other two.  Not incidentally, My personal experience suggests the streamer/server is at least as important as the DAC - and perhaps more so in determining sound quality.  Others disagree, but I’m certainly not alone in this viewpoint.  

FWIW - I also auditioned the Lumin U1 and mini and felt the Auralic Aries G2 bettered them as well.  Regarding Roon and the native apps - I can’t say the Lightning DS (LDS) app is better than Lumin’s (or Aurender) from a function standpoint, but it’s good enough.  As far as an interface - Roon is unequalled.  But, I dropped my subscription to Roon because I discovered that LDS sounded significantly better than Roon when streaming files, Tidal or Qobuz. For me, the sound quality improvement of LDS over Roon was quite significant.  I’m guessing it’s because the native app is able to properly use the buffer built into the Aries G2.  YMMV.  

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

Best,
Hello,
I have been using a Linn Majik for about 2 years now. I just started the audiophile venture. I really like the Majik DSM as it offers everything you said you wanted, It is a very good streamer and is also equipped with a very good dac. It also has a 90 watt amp which makes it self supporting. It sounds very good running through a pair of ML ell 11 A's it can be used as a line source, active pre amp and is completely controlled by a iPad in my case.

ghjuvanni59, I did performed actual comparison test between Node 2i and Lumin D2 as well Teac NT-505.... and I have to tell you that difference in SQ between Node 2i and those two streamers is huge, not in favor of Node....FLAC signal could be the same but balanced design, better power supply and higher quality audio components make the difference. High end streamers like Naim ND-555 or Lumin X1 will makes cosmic difference.


+1 @surfmuz

As I noted above -  I own three streamers in different systems and have had the opportunity to compare them going into the same DAC using the same cabling.  The difference is quite significant. The better units offer more resolution which is nice, but the real difference is that they offer far more spatial information.  The Node 2 (as a streamer only - not using the internal DAC) sounds “flat” dimensionally in comparison.  The Node 2 Is a killer unit for what it offers for $500, but It’s no match for better units.  BTW - same goes for optimized Mac Minis, etc.  Been there.  

Best,