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Upgrade over Sonos ZP90?

Hi there fellow a-goners.
I am in the process of upgrading my system. I use my faithful Sonos as a digital source and have been perfectly happy with it up-to-date. However, I understand that there are better digital transports out there. What I need is a transport that would be as user-friendly as the Sonos, but will exceeded in terms of sound quality and have the ability to do high res. I intend to use it as a transport with an external DAC and my DAC does not have USB input, so it’s either coaxial or Optical inputs (I have a Reimyo DAP-777 and a CHORD DAC64).

I was looking at aurender, auralic Aries, and Linn Akurate DS1.
I also have an Oppo 105D i use it strictly for video, as my experience with it as an audio  transport has not been good: Sonos sounds better.
I am a cost minding type of guy, so I am looking for a used piece preferably under 2000 us. Thanks for your help and looking forward to your advice.
ja_zz
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
You need the better S/PDIF cable anyway, so there is no savings there - I disagree, with Synchro Mesh Clocker you are adding another component in the middle of Sonos and DAC. So you do end up buying an additional S/PDIF cable instead of going direct between SONOS and the DAC.

My point is that almost nobody has a S/PDIF cable this good, so replace the one you have with this one.  It will make a big difference, even with no reclocker.

There is also the benefit of upsampling 44.1 to 96. The DAC will sound better because the digital filter is better - Wyrd 4 Sound recommends 96khz upsampling with their mod, so no difference here.

Maybe, maybe not. The devil is in the details. There is only one upsampling chip IME that performs well. All others are substandard. I used to mod myself, so I got to hear lots of different chips.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

ja_zz OP
124 posts
 
@lalitk 
Please check my questions above. 
Thanks. 
ja_zz OP
124 posts
 
@audioengr 
I will think about it, but at this stage I concur with @lalitk : the more boxes and wires, the more potential too go wrong...
ja_zz OP
124 posts
 
Ummm... I think I just bought a Linn Akurate DS/2 :-)
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,430 posts
 
@ja_zz,

How good is Bluesound compared to Aurender?

To my ears, N100 has a very expansive soundstage but it requires careful matching of downstream components especially the DAC and cable (USB or COAX). I say this cause I have seen few here have expressed that they were unable to discern any difference in SQ between N100 and brand - X costing less. 

Our expectations are high when we spend 2-3 times on a product that is being compared to other competing products costing less in that category. As you know, in this hobby sometimes it’s hard to justify cost vs. improvements you gain by spending 2-3 times more so it simply boils down to one’s individual preferences and associated components. 

For the money, I can say unequivocally that Node 2 is pretty unbeatable in SQ and features. Many here has praised Node 2 SQ when paired with a good mid-Fi DAC (like Ayre Codex). 

In 

The only way to find out what you end up preferring is by auditioning both components in your home. N100 and Node 2 are available through online retailers with 30 days money back guarantee. 

And if you really like SONOS, the mod offered by Wyrd 4 Sound would be the next logical step, IMHO. 

Hope this helps! 
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