Streamer Recommendation.


Budget 7000US$.  (+/-)

System: Amplification: Luxman L 509X.  Speakers: Joseph Audio Perspective.  DAC:  PS Audio Perfect Wave.  CD/SACD PS Audio Perfect Wave.  Streamer:  BlueSound Node 2.I

I am limited to WiFi, due to my router location.   I would like a high quality streamer without DAC that will provide a noticeable improvement over the entry level Node.

Any assistance would be very helpful.

 

 

rbsaudio

Yeah do the the mesh network thing and have a node right at your rig to plug into.  I would also consider  Bryston BDP and the fairly new Moon Neo Mind 2. 

 

With that kind of budget you could also explore a ROON configuration. 

 

 

i think auralic is the one major streamer maker that prefers wifi over hardwire connection for network signal

+1 for Auralic.

if you can use a mesh system as suggested earlier than Innuos Zenith should also be a contender — you can rip cd’s and the unit can also optionally run as a Roon server. Once you get the streamer, I highly suggest a passive filter like ENO.

BTW, I also have the JA Perspective2 Graphene speakers — by far the best speaker I’ve ever owned. I used to own Luxman 590Axii and absolutely loved the combo.

I owned the Bryston and it sounded great but I got rid of it due to the software management program which ruined the whole experience.  I also  found the WiFi didn’t work as well as the wired, and the OP is limited to WiFi.  At that budget I would be looking at Aurender or Auralic, both of which I have heard demonstrated and sounded great.  Auralic may possibly be better with WiFi but I like the idea floated by @blisshifi of upgrading the WiFi, which the OP budget should allow for, and which will probably benefit any choice that he makes

Not sure you have to spend all your budget but that is a good place to be.  There are several good streamers in the $5k and under price range.  Biggest difference is abilty to do roon and controls.  to me the big 3 are arurender, innuos and auralic.   Aurender sees roon as a competitor and doesn't support roon so stay away from aurender if you want to ever use roon.  If you don't use roon, then the control software on each system will be important to you.  I chose Innuos.  It does roon and controls from a phone ap.

after the streamer you should probably upgrade the digital system feeding it.  make sure you have good quality ethernet cable from your router.  For digital, i like cables with silver coated copper.  Not necessarily terribly expensive. Audioquest has several levels that work for me.  install an upgraded 'audiophile' switch.  I used etherregen.    the switch plus calbles will run you a grand or a bit more.

Jerry