@ghdprentice , please share some global takeaways from your experience!!!
Looking for High Quality Streamer Only Options (NO DAC)?
I'm looking to find a dedicated streamer, ideally <$2k. Here are the objectives:
1. Must be Roon Ready
2. No internal DAC
3. USB, Optical or Digital Coax input
4. Great quality to feed an outboard DAC.
The idea here is to hopefully avoid paying for an internal DAC and just by a stable streamer, giving the manufacturer the ability to dump all the parts and labor costs into the streaming side only. In other words, why pay for an internal DAC I won't use.
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- 52 posts total
@jbhiller I’ve had 3 DAC / Streamer combo units and used them as both streamer only and all in one solutions, Node 2i, Lumin D2, Lumin P1. I’ve had stand alone streamers, Auralic G2 Aries and Lumin U2 Mini. I have found stand alone streamers to sound a bit better than using a Streamer / DAC combo as a streamer only, that’s even when I bumped up to the P1 which is slightly different than most Combo units, it’s really a hub for digital, can act as a pre, has various inputs, volume control, HT Bypass and it’s the most $$ of the bunch. Some will say streamers if they are doing their job correctly, don’t have an influence over the sound. I have found I can hear the differences but they are subtle. The differences between the sound of DAC’s is more pronounced. If you really like the Lumin T3 you are borrowing the Lumin U2 Mini would be a great option. Try it as a streamer only with your DAC’s and see how it sounds. Innuos, Aurilac, Aurender and Lumin are all brands focused on digital streaming and have well thought out, developed implementation / support. Any of these brands is rock solid. BluOS is probably the most supported, easiest to use platform to use. Hifi Rose hasn’t been around as long but has quickly made a name for itself with great stand alone streamers and combo units. Units all have a large, really impressive screen that take up almost all of the front of the unit, they are sweet looking. The 130b which is slightly over $ 5 grand is maybe one of the best out there, especially at its price point. 2 camps, one says streamers make no difference in sound, others claim they make a ton of difference. I think it’s a little of both, if streamers are designed, implemented properly with really good power supplies along with limiting jitter / noise, the differences aren’t likely one of better sound but might be which you prefer based on subtle differences. Synergy is key, choosing a streamer that has an output maximizing its performance that pairs with the best input to use with your DAC is key. Some DAC’s are designed for USB implantation, others AES, other I2s. Having a streamer that has prioritized the output that your DAC is designed to work best with makes a difference for sure. How’s the LTA DAC? How does it compare to other DAC’s you’ve had? It’s on my list of DAC’s I want to try. |
- 52 posts total