Streamer and DDC (I need AES/SpDif output)

If you go with Innuos the Iris or Hermes DDC would be obvious/synergistic choices.  The Iris provided a significant performance boost in my system.  BTW, you definitely want to use AES/EBU over SPDIF if possible.  Best of luck.

All of the Auralic Aries G series and Lumin U series streamers have AES/EBU outputs so no DDC needed.  The on sale Aries G1.1 is your best bargain.

@soix the Hermes was also in my list but I forgot to mention it. You are right I definitely prefer AES/EBU to SPDIF. Could you tell me more how the Iris improved your system? In what areas? For my system, since my DAC does not have USB, I believe the quality of the DDC will be vital since it will reclock the input signal. If I go down the DDC route, at a later stage I may slave the DDC to the clock out of the DAC or try a external master clock although I prefer the clock source to be as close as possible to the DAC IC. 

@jackd For some reason I have been put off Aularic but I could change my mind. I was interested in the Lumin U2 but is above my budget. Do you feel Aularic competes with Auralic, Innuos and Antipodes?

Another question, in the above configuration what will be more important, the quality of the streamer or the DDC?

I have just seen a used Aurender N10 for a price slightly above my budget so I may consider that too.

@greg_f 

Yes Auralic competes with the others on your list and in some respects beats them.  I am now on my fifth Aries unit a G2.2,  If you have the right streamer with the correct output no need for a DDC along with the extra digital cable and power cord needed.  

Thanks, I will have a serious look at Auralic.

Greg, received your PM about the Metronome DSS. Can't reply as Audiogon requires my bank details, which I won't give them. The DSS1 is a fabulous streamer, very analogue sound.

@stievus Thank you very much for the reply. As I said I am very temped to get either the LeStreamer or the DSS1. Do you need to connect a server/PC to the Metronome in order to stream Qobuz/ Tidal? How do you control the Metronome? Also have you compared it to anything else in similar price range?

I’d think an Innuos Zen/Zenith paired with a Denafrips Hermes could be sublime.  Great sound quality, OCXO clock,  and, importantly, you get Innuos’ outstanding Sense app.  Just my $0.02 FWIW.

A PC is not needed, unless you also want to use Roon or Audirvana. . The DSS can be controlled from your tablet or phone with the MControl app, which is quite basic. The DSS is so good that I hardly play CD's or records anymore. And I have many.

@stievus Thanks again!

@greg_f Keep in mind, however, that the Metronome DSS while a very high-end device with a great sound, is a rather straightforward streamer. It has no remote, no display, no internal drive (though one can connect an external drive). I am fine with that, but some people want more from a high-priced streaming device.

@stievus Yes, I realize it is a somewhat basic streamer with no bells and whistles. I am ok with this, I am more interested in the sound quality more than anything else. I am not saying I don't like a big display like the HIfi Rose RS130, or a more integrated environment like Aurender or Innuos offer but my number one priority is how it sounds. In my situation one of the advantages of the Metronome is the outputs that it has, my DAC is old but still very, very good but it doesn't have a USB interface. I need to dig in a little bit more to find out the quality of the clocks in the Metronome, they seem to have payed proper attention to the PSUs so that gives me some confidence that they know what they are doing. Unfortunately it is very difficult to find detailed technical information about this streamer, not many reviews exist.

@greg_f I have been in touch with them in my best french :-) No doubt, they really know what they are doing. If you are not sure, then consider the DSS2. At the moment it is on sale at Kronos AV. It is my experience that they are very helpful people with all the questions you might have.

I loved FireWire and regret that it didn’t catch on.  I almost bought your Weiss but instead bought a pro DAC for about 1/3 the price.  It’s on a shelf in the basement as the lack of FireWire sources rendered it obsolete.

@mahler123 I too much prefer FireWire to USB for audio, I still have a PCIe FireWire card in a decent music server and it connects to the Weiss :)

@stievus He he, I love France and visit many times but unfortunately I don't speak enough French to communicate. I have seen the KronosAV DSS2 but I have left the UK sometime ago and now leave in my country of origin (Greece) and as you know since Brexit is not economically viable to import most things from the UK to the EU, what a pain!

@greg_f Not a problem. Import duties to the EU will not be charged. Get in touch with them so they can explain.

@stievus Oh really? I wasn't aware of that.