Streamer Options Needed

I wouldn’t waste funds on making mac mini better as a streamer. Also, with any dedicated streamer you will be using an app to control it. Tablet, i.e. iPad is great for this. 
At around $3,000 a used Lumin U2 or Aurender N150 or N200 (closer to $4,000 used) will be nice. 

I'm in the same search. I heard Auralic aries G2.1 in two house, is very good, I was AB testing to Oppo Cd player and sounded better, tighter stronger bass with blacker background. Used $2500 I think, or Aries S1 should be good. Another I think is very good Volumio Rivo + ,$1500 I like it and consider buying because of 3 things:

1. Pro's in streaming , they created Rasberry Pi and many happy campers, not this new streamer processor I think is made by Cardas if Im not mistaken.

2. No screen, but have hdmi video , so I can put small tv and see songs maybe even watch video files? 

3. 5v power supply, and they sell for $500 better one, but you can get even better one from very good brands and that will change the sound big, because think about Auralic Aries S1, additional power supply extra $1000 and sounds better, sames as Auralic G1 vs G2 most of uprade power supply, Aurender cheaper vs expensive model most in power supply upgrades, streamer card is the same, but those more expensive models they have lower jitter so better DDC which you can get separate if you want to add on, but the streaming processor maybe is the key here. Good luck searching! 

Agree to not waste $$$ upgrading the Mac.  I’d recommend the Innuos Pulse Mini for $1449, and now or later add an external linear power supply from LHY, SBooster, or Teddy Pardo (around $400) for a significant performance boost and you’ll have an excellent sounding streamer for about $2k.  The bonus is it comes with their Sense app that’s widely regarded as the most user friendly out there, and some have even left Roon it’s so good — this is not a small consideration if ease of use is important to you.  Innuos also offers excellent customer support if you hit a snag and is again not a small consideration.  Also, just buy a tablet and download the Qobuz app (see link below).  It’s not hard or expensive, and just have someone help you if need be — it literally takes like 5 minutes and well worth the effort as it will improve your quality of life significantly.  Hope this helps, and best of luck.

https://www.dedicatedaudio.com/products/pulsemini-streaming-network-player-by-innuos

https://www.amazon.com/Apple-iPad-11-inch-Display-All-Day/dp/B0DZ75TN5F

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650233532-aurender-n200-high-performance-serverstreamer/

Here is one, buy this and be done.

I was close to buying a HiFi Rose RS250 streamer that was on sale for $1300 from a HiFi store as a demo unit.  I ended up buying the Wiim Ultra which works great using Roon from my Mac mini. I bought a USB to optical converter made by SMSL to connect the Mac Mini out to optical in in the Wiim.  Using coaxial out to my DAC and can play all of my digital files and Qobuz through Roon.  

On the other hand the HiFi Rose has a much larger and high resolution screen, and includes a 4K video network streamer…even plays YouTube.  Someone purchased that one yesterday.  It retails for $2700

I recently bought an Atoll MS120 streamer. I run it through my McIntosh MX122 AV processor/preamp. I love it!

It has a screen and full function remote control standard. But I bought a $75 generic tablet that I use as a touch screen remote to run Qobuz trough the Atoll app. Works terrifically.  $1600. 

Aurender N200 is a great unit.    I would also recommend the Innuos because for the money it's is hard to beat.  

One relatively cheap alternative is the Teradak linear power supply for mac mini. You've already done good thing with the OS mod, lps for mini is the other major improvement for sound quality with the mini. A mini with modded OS and lps is something relatively few have experienced, I'd take it over the cheaper over the counter alternatives. 

Innuos just updated their line and introduced a new transport.  The Innuos Stream1 is about $3k.  I would take a hard look at that one.  If you prefer a more smooth and "tuby" presentation check out the Aurender N150.

You will be able to drive either of those directly with the Qobuz app.  Good luck and cheers. 

For your use case, I’d recommend the Volumio Motivo at just under $2k.  Has its own built in tablet-like screen.  Really good app.  Also has a DAC that will likely outperform yours, but you can experiment with that.

Don't waste any time or money getting the Mini to sound better. The cost is not worth the benefit, plus it's also getting old enough to need a replacement. 10 years is about the limit on a Mac, it will no longer get any updates. 

Hate to break it to you, but I cannot think of any streamer that does not use a Phone/tablet app. It's just the way it is. A streamer is just a packaged computer.

You have a good DAC, think you can get away with a lower tier streamer, just connect it to your DAC. Really, just get the one that you feel most comfortable with the software/app. Would suggest you stay away from Rose, and Roon. 

I forgot to mention…if you’re not willing to try a nicely laid out user interface on a tablet and want to make your user experience as frustrating as possible by sitting in front of a computer to control what you’re listening to, Bryston makes a very nice streamer BDP-3 that uses a hideous web based UI called Manic Moose. That streamer is also bundled with Bryston BDA-3.14 DAC and with that you can kill all 3 birds with one stone - get a great sounding streamer, DAC and one of the worst user interfaces on the market today

here it is for $2,250

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisbecf5-bryston-bda-3-14-da-converters?refsource=hifishark

I am wondering, were you able to do an upgrade on your speakers?
if you can’t wait get this

https://innuos.com/pulse/
if you want to wait a minute, then this

https://innuos.com/stream1/
Looks like you have some nice equipment don’t cheap out on the streamer. 

Aurender offers outstanding sound quality and the Conductor App which runs on phones, iPads, and MacPro... I guess a MacMini as well. I have two Aurender after trying Aurlic, Grimm, BlueSound, and Linn and some other streamers. Audiophile quality in sound and construction. Whether N200, N250, N20, or N30. 

Your investment level should be roughly the same or more than the DAC, or the Preamp, or that amp. Streamers make a big difference and get better the higher the tier. 

@lanx0003 I believe the N200 uses a TCXO clock. For sure it doesn't have an OCXO clock. It would be best suited for USB use IMHO. Just make sure your DAC has at least a TCXO or better. 

There’s an Innuos Zen Mk3 available for $1650, which is a great price and you should jump on it because it won’t last long.  It also has a CD drive so you can load any CDs into it if you want so all your digital music is in one place, but regardless it’s an excellent streamer with their great Sense app.  You would need to run it with a phone or tablet although I suppose it might work with a computer too.

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650228329-innuos-zen-mk3-2tb/

The Following has been used in another recent Thread about Streamer Options.

I know of this model being in use, by a individual with years of Digital Sources used, they have been profoundly impressed with this model.

As the used item price seen, there is a lot of VFM, I encourage a investigation to learn what is on offer.

"  Hoo Rah Now Seen 25% Cheaper than retail, for a US Customer what a opportunity, a $K left to play with, maybe audio, or a few day of R&R with a Spouse or Partner?.

The used Market is such a fun place, it certainly helps some to realize their aspirations and leave the coffer with coin.

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650220466-teac-ud-701n-network-music-streamerstereo-preamp/   "

Lumin makes good stuff and more affordable than Aurender, for a still cheaper option get a blusound node icon for $1K, the remote is extra $90 but well made and comprehensive.

Lumin, Silent Angel.

WOW Everybody, Thank you very, very much!!! I am really impressed with the feedback. Please keep it coming. I have much research to do the next few days. 1 Question for "woots".

What model Silent Angel do you suggest?

Question for the group: What interface from the Streamer to the DAC?

USB, Digital Coax, Toslink? My current DAC won't support I2S. The DAC upgrade might be next after the Speaker Upgrade I spoke about a few weeks ago.

What interface from the Streamer to the DAC?  USB, Digital Coax, Toslink? My current DAC won't support I2S.

That’s a good question, and the answer is it depends.  Often times the designer of a DAC has one preferred input so it’s best to check with them. 

Take a look at the PS Audio AirLens @$1999. It is an excellent dedicated streamer. Its major limitations are no screen and limited inputs and outputs. Sound quality is excellent. 

My InnuOs Pulse has a aes/ebu out to the the Anthem STR Preamplifier/DAC and I am very happy 

If you like the sound of the WiiM , You can get an Amazon Echo and control it by voice, does away with the phone, tablet, remote. It makes controlling a lot easier. Like you, I didn’t want to deal with the phone to control my streaming.

Can I use McTosh products to achieve the same or better results?

Cambridge Audio has a few different lines.  I use the CXN 100.  It can be controlled from the buttons on the front panel or from a remote, but I use the phone app.

I have the Volumio Rivo+.  it is a great sounding streamer.  I use Qobuz, and you can use either the Qobuz app on your iphone, ipad or the Volumio app..  I also have many wav and dsf files I access through one of the USB inputs - which can be played using the Volumio app.  I also have hooked up a 13.5 inch 4K OLED monitor to the Rivo+ using HDMI.  It looks fantastic. Note: I am using a 5 volt 3.5 amp linear power supply with double 5 volt 3.5 amp DC outputs for the Rivo+ and the OLED monitor.  

If you tried the WiiM Ultra and you like using Qobuz you SHOULD be using Qobuz Direct! Your WiiM connects perfectly via Qobuz Direct.

Then you will get the best out of the WiiM which can be controlled any way running the Qobuz app directly as you like: tablet, phone and/or computer. It's very good and someone mentioned the Echo as an audio controller.

In addition to going Qobuz Direct, if you have a fiber router from your provider, you would see improvement. In addition, no big money has to be spent from there. You can use Cisco 2960 or Cisco Meraki connected by fiber and then go in to the WiiM Ultra. 

Got a couple of Cisco Merak running for less than $80. In less than five minutes I took out the internal power supply. It's easy. Then used Blue Jean ethernet cables from the router to the first Cisco and then short one from the second one to a WiiM.

Big bang for the buck and no four figure investment needed. 

Like you, I tried a Mac Mini stripped down to just music, with Audirvana as the library manager. Sound was pretty good. But I was always having to make workarounds, and finally bought a used Innuos Zen Mk. 3 for $1,800. It’s really good, and the CD ripper makes file transfer a breeze. It also incorporates Qobuz, my preferred streaming source. The Sense app is excellent.

Mini just a glorified computer even with every possible operating system mod, adding a quality lps absolutely necessary to make it into a passable streamer.

Plus one for Volumio products.  Look into the Rivo Plus with an external linear power supply from Teddy Pardo or similar (Volumio is not shipping their Lineo5 PS to the US currently - likely a victim of tarriffs).  At about two grand, very good performance per $ ratio.  All connections out including i2S except curiously toslink.

kn

Take a look at the Hifi Rose RS250.  Great quality and sound within your budget.

Any thoughts n the Bluesound Node Icon piece?

@arstereo 

Good budget piece. I have one, I use for burning in equipment. You get what you pay for if matching the rest of your equipment. I have an Aurrender N100 with my Ayre QB-9 DAC for my headphone system... much better than my Node and a Aurender W20SE ($22K) with my main system... it sounds appropriately better than the Aurender N20, N200 and N100.

If it ainʻt broke, donʻt fix it.

Try Audiolab 9000 N. 

I am looking for a streamer to replace MacBook for my Audionote Cobra Integrated which comes with a DAC.  I tried WiiM Ultra, Holo Red, Eversolo A6, Eversolo a8 and Cambridge audio A8. The Eversolo A 8 is far superior to the A6 . I liked the Cambridge Audio MXN100 for its natural presentation but did not like its interaction with iPad.  I’m waiting to try Audiolab 9000 N which arrives mid August. Wish I could afford Aurender N 200

I design and manufacture DACs. For long time I was using MACs for testing purposes and compatibility, also for convenience when I needed to be mobile.

Last year I bought a used MAC mini M2 on Amazon. To my surprise M2 sounded much better than any Intel MACs and at the level of 2k servers like Innuos, HiFi Rose, Blue Sound... All the time using Audirvana as player. For me Audirvana is the best sounding player over Roon, Tidal and others. You can buy MAC Mini M2 used on Amazon for $380-400. If you don't like it, you can return it. Audirvana has 1 month free trial. You can use tablet or smart phone as remote for Audirvana. I think it's worth trying. After some listening I kept MAC Mini M2 and even went further and upgraded the power supply with linear, low noise one. To me this is best combination for less than$800 including power supply. Mac Mini M2 + Teradak + Audirvana. If you have more questions please contact me through my website - audiomirror.com

I unfortunately am not very active on the forums.

Vlad

Vlad,

I'm afraid I was a bit too dismissive of modded mini as just a 'passable' streamer in my last post. I experimented with a series of three different mini's over a few years, everything from stock to maximal mods. I had three different Intel, each successively more powerful than previous, I quit minis when the M processors came out and soldered in RAM, seems I may have missed out here. I also found Audirvana best music app for the mini's.

I've been offering up modded mini's as a legitimate contender or perhaps superior choice to lower to mid grade off the shelf streamers for years, very few have experienced a modded mini for themselves so really have no idea. I got the idea for modding mini's vs off the shelf via comparison of tech and parts used in the lower end ots streamers. I think people have the mistaken idea off the shelf streamers are somehow magically transformed from their fundamental computer roots when in fact they're all computers modified and optimized to play music apps. Through mini mods like OS optimization, far more RAM, faster processor, better lps than you'd find in most of these low to mid grade off the shelf modded mini's can be very nice at least mid level streamer. 

I might be wrong. It's just my opinion, but look at architecture of M2 vs Intel. Intel has 4 USB ports. M2 has 2. On intel MACs there is a chip set ( I believe this degrades the sound)which works as a bridge between CPU and USB. On M2 I believe USBs are connected directly to CPU internals. Plus the processing power and much simplified power supply(less noise) and less parts/chips contributing to noise and better sound. I  might be wrong, but that's my feeling. After upgrading power supply on M2 the difference was subtle vs doing same on Intel Macs was very audible. I also have to clarify I am talking about aluminum a little bigger and  flatter MAC mini M2 not the newest square ones. Never tried the square M2s which has only USB C connections.

If you’re using a separate DAC, then the BS Node can’t be beat for the money!

I do recall not all the usb ports same sound quality, one with shortest path was Irecommended. And I could see this as an advantage with M2 if usb is indeed connected directly to cpu, interfaces are extremely important in obtaining best SQ. 

Whatever the case with mini sound quality, devoid virtually any contemporary support for mods from the aftermarket, and Apple's continual move towards making diy nearly impossible mini's are virtually obsolete as viable alternative to off the shelf.

@alfa100 I tried WiiM Ultra, Holo Red, Eversolo A6, Eversolo a8 and Cambridge audio Mxn10

How did Holo Red compare with the rest of the gang?

Han commented that the Red is surprisingly clean with sibilance. Did you find that to be the case?