2. digital
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Streamer upgrade recommendations

A recent DAC upgrade from a Schiit Modi Multibit to the Mojo Mystique v3 is having me consider an upgrade to my digital source.

I currently use a W4S modded Sonos Connect, streaming Deezer HIFI (16bit FLAC).  I'm committed to Deezer and pretty invested in Sonos - with Connects in two systems and a few Sonos speakers.  I'm not keen on the idea of adding a dedicated music server/player.  (keep it simple.  Roon doesn't support Deezer fully anyways, I don't have stored music files)

With the constraints above considered, it seems my choices are limited.   Here's what I'm considering:

  1. Bluesound Node 2i 
  2. Simaudio Moon Mind2
  3. Add SynchroMesh to Sonos Connect

I wonder if Node 2i would have better SQ than W4S Connect.

Moon Mind2 looks compelling - but zero reviews about it.

Would  Syncromesh SQ improvements be beyond a modded connect?

For options 1&2, I'd keep the Connect in the system for multi-room play as background music, parties, etc.

I know I should just demo all three, and will probably do so.  Was wondering if anyone has been in this situation or has recommendations.  Opinions welcome.   I wish the microrendu had deezer support...

-VeroGuy

System Details:

  • Kinki EX-M1 Integrated Amp
  • Bryston Mini-T speakers
  • Mojo Audio Mystique v3
  • W4S modded Sonos Connect
  • Signal Cable speaker cables and interconnects
  • Mojo Audio spdif cable
  • Pangea power cables


veroguy
veroguy OP
138 posts
 
Thanks, @jonaiken very helpful.  The W4S upgrade costs the same amount as the BSN2i, so I was wondering if it could be much better.  I'll try it with optimism now.

I've done a bit of research on music players, and it appears to me that going that route with maybe a microrendu or other player would be the way to go for SQ.  But to get deezer hifi, I'd have to install something like LMS with ickstream.  Seems like too many components, and too much heavy lifting.  At the same time, life is compromise...

I'll demo a bluesound and the Moon Mind2 and go from there.
wanderingmoo
29 posts
 
I picked up a SoTM SMS-200 a few months ago and with a quality linear power supply (I have one from Small Green Computer) it sounds seriously good - I’d recommend looking at one.  I compared it to the MicroRendu before going with SoTM.  It requires a bit of tinkering as it’s essentially a small computer but so far it’s an amazing Roon endpoint connected to my DAC.

I haven’t used it with Deezer but would be surprised if it isn’t supported.  

Hope me this helps,
Steve
veroguy OP
138 posts
 
Thanks, everyone.  I'm learning that my attachment to Deezer HIFI is really a limiting factor.    There appears to be a lot of compelling streamers out there, but they don't support Deezer HIFI (or they support Deezer, but not 16-bit FLAC).

Tidal doesn't appear to have as large of a selection of non-US artists.  For example:    European Jazz Trio - Deezer: 27 albums.  Tidal: 4 albums.

I'm now leaning towards a Node2i with wired connection until Deezer opens up their API so that HIFI is available with Roon or integrated in more streamers.   I'll then look at the higher end products.

NAD has deezer in their end streamer+dacs.  Maybe they'll release a streamer only with Deezer Hifi.   The only other option is the SimAudio Moon Mind2 ($1900).  I called them to get some details on SQ, techniques, architecture, but the rep wasn't too helpful.

Anyways, thanks again.  I'll report back on any products I try out.
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