2. digital
  3. 158331-143982

Streamer Value Question Innous vs Bluesound

I am ready to try streaming again after my 1st failed effort.
I had owned the basic Roon streamer. 

I plan to use the Roon with Tidal service but not
the Roon hardware this time around.

I am now comparing the Innuos Zen Mini @ $1,250 v.s. the
Bluesound Vault 2i @ $1,295. 

The better Innuos is about $4,400.
If you add the reclocker and linear power supply to
 the Mini you are also getting closer to $4k.

Now here is my thought: Buy the Vault and plan to find
a DAC upgrade- currently I have an Oppo 205.
This will bring me the better SQ result overall I think.

What have others found?

chorus
chorus OP
976 posts
 
So far the take I am getting is mixed. One guy for $ on Streamers
and several who report improvement using better DACs.
I am very certain better DACs matter. If I had $4k to burn I
would own the Terminator. But I am too cheap to buy a $4k
product that in 2 years will be available for $2k in a better 
version.  

Any comment on an Oppo 205 DAC?

Thanks
adg101
1,063 posts
 
Oppo 205 is decent, probably better than the DAC in the Bluesound devices. I own both so not just just spinning from my sofa.

The Vault is a great product for the money but I found the the first day in my system the DAC in my CDP was superior and used that... and not talking about my Oppo 205.

I don’t know how good the Innous is as I’ve never heard one so I’m not going to spew BS about it. I will say using a Vault as a streamer only to my recent RME DAC is outstanding and it’s was a reasonable purchase separately and together.
If you already have an Oppo 205 it will definitely get you by but a DAC such as an a RME will walk all over it and that’s not a stretch. The Oppo does nothing wrong and unless you compare it to other DAC’s you will be very happy with it. For what it does, the Oppo is an outstanding product, but unless you already have one I would not spend the money today for a used one.
rikkipuu's avatar
rikkipuu
278 posts
 
A better streamer will make you DAC sound better.  You can upgrade the DAC later.  Source matters.
jperry
2,460 posts
 
A better streamer/server will sound better.

A better DAC will sound better.

The built in DAC in the Node/Vault are OK, just like the one in the Oppo 205.

I heard the Innous Mini with integrated DAC, Better than the two above, but better with a better DAC. The Innous Zen III was better than the Mini using the same out board DAC
rrodell367
8 posts
 
@jperry1  - I am thinking of hooking a Naim ND5 XS2 to a Mark Levinson 526.  Does this follow your thought process?

Great streamer
Great DAC
Going to a great amp...

In this setup, does each instrument do it's job?  I don't want to "not use" a specific component.  There is a lower quality DAC in the ND5, but that is OK.
More to discover