New streamer? N150 vs U2

A choice I did not see mentioned - I would recommend the HiFI Rose RS150B - it is a fantastic product (going on one year of trouble free ownership), even if you don’t need the DAC capabilities (it is very good dac) just the sheer beauty of the display, the functionality of the app (I use both an Android tablet and my phone, it also has a PC/MAC app) and the quality of the sound, as well as the added functinality it brings (internet radio,eARC HDMI amongst others) make it well worth it. It has received pretty glowing reviews, and I agree with them.

IMO it is easily as good as the Aurender N20 at streaming/music library functions, at less than1/2 of the price (Probably more likely compared to the A20, but I do not have much experience listening to the A20). I do give  Aurender a slight nod in the app department ; I think Conductor is pretty good (or maybe since my first streamer was an ACS10 (still owned) I am just used to it.), but the Rose App is very close.

Edit: Rose App has added mult source playlist creation (streamig service and internal storage) so I would rate the apps identical in ease of use, but the Rose still has more functions, so this changes the balance in favor of the Rose.

 Obviously an N20 hooked up to a high end DAC would change the dynamic, but that would also increase the price delta considerably.

Construction wise it is a beautiful, solidly built product, with a full suite of digital outs. If you have a higher end DAC that you like you can always bypass the built-in DAC (ESS Sabre ES9038PRO DAC chips).

LOL while looking for info on the chips I just saw this:

(I have no affiliation with this dealer, but the $700 savings may be of value to someone, likewise I am not affiliated with HiFi Rose, I just really like mine)

Hope this somewhat rambling post helps. Steve Huff has a nice review of it.

@mournbladeiv thanks for reminding me of this if I decide to go the one-box route! I get the ads from that big mid-west retailer that we all love and have read a few ads about the HiFi Rose equipment.  Because I’m looking at upgrading my streamer and myDAC is questionable, a one-box solution may be it for me.

of course that starts consideration of other higher priced units and the Cary one-box DAC/Streamer (but not the absurdly priced “pro” one).  Sigh.

‘As someone mentioned I soon hit the point where other components in my system may be more appropriate as a higher value upgrade.   Although we deal with that decision on all larger upgrade options that’s really a different thread.

@txp1 I looked at the Cary as well, and in the review I posted, Steve Huff mentions them positively, but he ends up buying the RS150B review unit . What sold me  (I had to take a leap of faith since no Audio dealers near me had a RS150B to test when I bought it) was the display (14.2 Inches) and the added functionality like Internet radio, EARC, and silly as it may be, I like the multiple volt meter options for the screen. Good luck whatever route you go. My next leap is to go AES out from the Rose to an Ayon Kronos SignatureTube Dac.

I have used the streamer with both my Michi X5, and my primary system of a Mark Levinson 523 Pre and 534 Power. it sounded great on both.

@txp1 exactly! I did the same thing plus added fiber optic, and it sounds amazing! Why would I want to upgrade? Try spending another $100 to add fiber and you’ll answer your own question. Good luck!