Another recommendation for the Innuos Pulse series
Streamer, no DAC please?
Sorry if this topic has been beaten to a pulp...I recently upgraded the digital side of my rig, Denafrips, Pontus 15 with a Project CD Box RS2T transport...
Now I have the itch to try streaming. It pains me to invest in a high end streamer and once again pay for a DAC.
Is it possible to find a quality steamer without a DAC? Any direction is appreciated, FYI, I consider myself a luddite.
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Most people on here are fools with more money than sense… Most streamers do in fact have DACs… Digital streaming has error correction so the quality of machines and cables is easy to understand- do they deliver a reliable stream of information? Yes or no. Delivering bits isn’t expensive or hard Does the streamer support the services and formats you want? Hi end streaming is about high quality PCM & DSD formats( if you want to rival vinyl quality), which poses limitations for some DACs and streamers eg even the new bluesounds don’t super DSD yet (supposed to soon…). Given this but the cheapest streamer that supports the formats you want. Also make sure you get a streamer that supports USB connections for streaming as is the best for DSD/PCM |
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Auralic, Aurender, Lumin, Hifi Rose would all offer great choices. In the 2-3 k range new Auralic and Lumin offer the best balance of features, performance for the $$. Aurender is often talked about as the gold standard of streamers. Hifi Rose has a stand alone streamer that is around $ 5 grand, think it’s the 130 that looks amazing. If I could stretch to reach the Hifi Rose, that would be the one. The Apps that control the streamer are a big factor, if you don’t like the app it will really limit your enjoyment even if it sounds great. |
At your price point, a preowned Aurender N100H will give excellent SQ. The Conductor App works well with QoBuz and Tidal streaming services, and makes it easy to upload and catalog your digital files. Reliability and customer service are excellent. If you can increase yor budget, a preowned N200 or N10 will provide better SQ and in my opinion is worth the additional spend. A preowned Aurender is the way to go over other new streamers/servers that retail at your price point. |
I like my Innuos Pulse Mini with upgraded LPS. This replaced my Project Streambox Ultra II. I ran the Project with the provided wall wart and it’s not bad. I’m currently using it in my headphones system. Both of my streamers are hardwired. I use a Cardas Clear usb on the Project and a Wireworld Starlight Platinum usb on the Innuos. I stream both Tidal and Qbuzz and listen to Radio Paradise and .1FM radio channels. Those particular channels sound as good as my subscription's. If you get a better streamer with a built in power supply your at $3K, but it’s another improvement. Happy Hunting , Mike B. |
I have had the Rose 130 in my system for the last 2 weeks. Before that the Eversolo 8 as a streamer only and before that a Node. The Rose has brought my System to entirely different level. The Eversolo 8 was huge improvement over the Node in the basics of sound clarity, sound stage and energy. I connected the Rose to fiber optic today and agin another improvement in tonal quality , texture and energy . I recommend reach for a high quality audiophile streamer . I’ve been sold on performance and importance of a higher quality and potentially more costly streamer. Running the Rose through an AVA Digital pre amp. Odyssey Kismet monos and Alta Audio Alec’s.
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I've been looking for one in the 2000-3000 range. I've settled on the Lumin U2 Mini, The Holo Audio or the Auralic Aries S1. Another option is the Lumin u2 (not mini) but it would have to be used. Iy depends a bit on what features you want: See about maximum DSD rate, Check for your preferred digital output, I2S is still tough to find but I expect it will be common, soon. If you don't like Roon (like me) make sure the included app is user friendly and meets your needs. Lumin and Auralic and supports your platform (Amazingly, I don't think Auralic supports Android). PSAudio AirLens has no app supplied, you're using Roon. I've not found anything except the Lumin U2 that checks all my boxes so I've stayed using the streamer half of my Node 2i. Into a good DAC, it's really a damn good sounding streamer! |
Just so you know, Audiogon has a search bar: https://forum.audiogon.com/search/index?utf8=%E2%9C%93&query=streamer+without+ |
Most high end streamers do not have a DAC. I highly recommend Aurender. For budget... N200 or used N100... or N20. The more you invest the better they sound... up to the very highest level. One of the considerations is the app used to control them. Aurender has Conductor... for iPad, phone, MacBook or tablet. It is easy to use, well regarded. Aurender has excellent service as well. I have friends that have purchased other high end streamers... most complain about the app that controls it. While others may have good sound quality... many do not, the app is your interface. Lumin, Aurlic and others make good quality streamers. |
+1 on the PS Audio AirLens. $2000 Keep in mind, however, you need to consider what streaming service you want to use (Tidal, Qubuz, Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, etc.) and what control app (BluOS, Roon, etc.) Some are better than others and can cost additional money. But if you want to wet your feet, find a used Bluesound Node (v2.1 or higher), or even a WiiM Pro ($149 on Amazon) or WiiM Mini ($89) to try. Use their native software and only pay for the streaming service. Then if you like the streaming process, treat these as disposal (i.e. sell on eBay) and get something better. ...my 2 cents... Jeff |
The new DAC less LUMIN U2 streamer that is the old X1 minus the DAC section is something that I would get if I needed another streamer. I have 3 Sonore OpticalRendu's streamers so I am good on the streaming front. However, when (or if) one of them dies I will get something like the U2. I owned the X1 DAC before and loved the steaming section of that unit. It supports a Fibre optic connection natively and has so many features (that I used). |
The Matrix Audio Element S is worth a look. Very highly regarded dedicated streaming with only digital outputs. The Eversolo DMP-A6 is also very popular. It's actually a multi function device that can be used as all in one streaming source, or just as a DAC, or just as a transport. But the price is right and the execution so good that a lot of people use it as a dedicated transport anyway. I would look into both of those, you should be able to find them from a dealer that allows in-home trials or easy returns. Amazon might even have the Eversolo which makes it easy. |
