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Streamer Selection - Thoughts Requested Please!

I have been talking way to much to myself on my next purchase - a streamer, no DAC. I have reached the point of going round and round with the same three streamers - Innuos Pulse, Auralic G1.1 and Aurender N150.  Mid $3K price range max.  The Auralic G1.1 list just dropping by $1K to $2,249.  The Innuos Pulse list is $3,250 and the Aurender N150 is at $3,500. Would be open to lightly used to upgrade my choices but the upgraded next step in each product line is a significant jump.  

I began streaming with a Blusound Node 2021 Gen 3 which I converted last year with the PD Creative board LPSU and added an SBooster P&P Eco power supply.  This was an improvement in my digital listening using the BS node for the DAC and streaming mainly TIDAL. Six months ago I added a Schitt Yggydrasil LIM (Less is More)  and oh my goodness what a difference overall.  I have the BS Node connected by an ethernet cable to my router.  Use an iPad to run BlueOS and the Tidal app.  The BS node is connected via USB to the Schitt Yggy.  

I don't have a need for storage or playing CD's.  Reading a few threads here have convinced me that a streamer upgrade with my system will provide better sound overall.  How much is certainly an open question but I am willing to go forward.  The rest of my system is a First Watt F8 amp, Modwright LS100 and Modwright 9.0 along with a Clearaudio Concept table and Zu Dirty Weekend Supremes.  

Whats important to me would be the sound quality, an app with solid integration with Apple and TIDAL.  I am leaning to Aurender as their players/transports are "streamers" / no DAC, they seem to integrate well with Apple and the Conductor app gets mixed reviews but mostly is well liked.  I am just not sure if with my present system it makes sense to be over $3K for a streamer, although if down the line I move on from the Yggy, I wouldn't want to then add a new streamer.  

Please jump in with thoughts, suggestions and let me know if I have missed any important criteria or other approaches/audio streamers.  Thanks in advance.....

norust
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,614 posts
 

@rbstehno 

You have long believed USB is categorically bad. Tech keeps on evolving, if one is using a dedicated streamer with USB output, USB is equally capable of delivering higher performance equivalent to SPDIF/AES and i2S. The final sound quality would also depend on implementation of these protocols within partnering DAC. Jitterbug was specifically designed for applications where general purpose laptop or computer being used as streamer as general purpose computers are inherently noisy. 

i2s requires careful selection of components as handshake between the two components is not given. I guess these handshake issues pave way to DDC re-clockers. IMO, they are totally unnecessary if you are using a high quality streamer + DAC. 

DAC’s with Ethernet cards (renderer) are the way to the future for anyone looking for one box solution. I agree, this type of component has a potential of a very high resolution sound. But then again, someone with deep pockets may disagree, you know that separates vs one box argument.

When it comes to streaming, there are so many ways to skin the cat! 

soix
9,789 posts
 

When it comes to streaming, there are so many ways to skin the cat! 

@lalitk So true!  I tried a Jitterbug with my Dragonfly Red in my HeadFi system years ago and it totally sucked the life out of the music and I returned it.  Also, I’ve read that Holo DACs are actually optimized for USB, so there ya go. 

norust OP
69 posts
 

@lalitk  A voice of reason when it comes to this complicated subject of digital streaming/DAC's and the various tradeoffs!  I appreciate your wisdom on this thread and the knowledge I have gained.  Closer to a decision ........

audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,847 posts
 

no rust 

you don't need any additional end point you just plug in the server to your dac

you can run Roon or lms tocontrol the server

 

yes our entry level is $3500 it is a complete Roon core and Endpoint  you need an ethernet connection and a usb cable.

 

Rhbsterno the reason there are so many usb tweeks is because many people  are attempting to use a  LAPTOP OR PC instead of a dedicated server, so you need some of these tweeks to prop up a pc or Mac

 

As per Roon you can direct the cpu to allocate its own core to running the  program 

as per low noise we use a particular intel chip known for low power low noise applications.

It is  not a special chip just one that most people don't use 

Hope that helps

ave and Troy

audio intellect NJ

US importers 432Evo music servers

 

kennymacc
453 posts
 

I have an Ayre Acoustics QX Twenty DAC, with a built-in streamer.  Expensive?  Yes.  But, the built-in streamer is of the highest quality, and the unit sounds extraordinarily refined and amazing.       

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