Recommended streamers/servers?

@marek28

What was your associated equipment? What you describe is not the sonic signature of Aurender. Was it more than two years old? They redesigned the power supply about a year and a half ago, although that by itself would not account for the sound you describe. Perhaps it was defective?  I own two Aurender streamers and heard several other models in good systems. 

Whoever tells you the streamer does not make a difference only the DAC has no clue what they are talking about or just can’t afford to test higher end streamers. It is a compelling argument that bits are bits and either they arrive or not. I have tried streamers from $500 to $5,000 and there is a huge difference between streamers assuming you have a resolving system. Which one will work best in a particular system is an individual choice but the Auralic Aries G1 changed everything for me so it deserves to be on anyone’s list for a test. If the price seems high the results are accordingly. The Aries Femto and Mini are outstanding values in the used market. While not quite as resolving as the G1 I could happily live with either one. 

make sure you use a powerful one.

I was skeptical at first but after trying a Innuos Zen Mk3, I am now a believer. With Innuos 2.0 fw, beats my dedicated NUC Roon setup.