Streamers rabbit hole


boy.  there are so many streamers out there all claiming to be better than the other.  My head is spinning.

I have an Anthem STR integrated amp, SVS SB300 sub, and Sonetto II G2s.  Looking for a good streamer pairing for this system. 

Comments please....

arstereo

I think Nagra makes a streamer for about your budget - worth checking out. Your Anthem is excellent, I think you’d have to spend quite a bit more to beat it. I’d focus on features you want and build quality. I’m not one of those that believe streamers can’t possibly affect the sound, but I think the difference, if any, will be subtle. Other smart people will disagree- that’s just my experience 

good luck!

@gkelly Makes a good point about the benefit of a screen vs having to glance down to a tablet or phone or laptop which you will need to select/change tracks or playlists anyway.

Additionally,  there are typically sonic compromises with additional electrical noise a screen brings.  The screen size of the HiFi Rose would worry me about the commensurate noise it will bring.  My SoTM switch allows me to disable the small blinking LED network lights and I hear a difference on some tracks.

@goodlistening64  I can’t speak for the OP but it would be wrong for me. I own the STR Preamp, not the STR Integrated but they are close.

In a multiuse room I rely on Anthem Room Correction. Other room treatments need to take my wife’s passionate hobby, décor, into consideration. I use two subwoofers and want bass management. Home Theater Bypass is a requirement as we have an OLED and AV processor in the same room. My primary 2-channel source is a turntable. Changing out the STR would require adding an MC phono preamp. Space is at a premium since my equipment cabinet does not have a lot of space even with all the amplifiers in a cabinet I built in the crawl space under the family room.

Therefore I would not use the DAC in a streamer and prefer a USB connection to my STR.

@arstereo 

I bought an Aurender N200 demo and have been extremely happy with it.

All the best.

I keep reading that Eversolo has poor customer service, but very few of those comments are from people who actually needed customer service. I have the Eversolo A-10, and previously had the A-8, and the both worked flawlessly with no need for customer service support. I enjoy both the sound and user experience of the A-10, although I have it paired with a Backert Labs Rhumba Extreme pre-amp. What did you find lacking in the streamers you auditioned?