2. digital
  3. 164569-157827

Advice on my first Streamer/Ripper/Dac

I am a live, studio, and broadcast sound engineer and musician, entering my 3rd year of home hifi. I have a Denon AVR x2300w for HT and Music, with Klipsch RP-5000 towers and a sub for music. I'm looking at my first streamer/ripper/DAC and would like to rip my cd collection. Will plan to eventually upgrade the DAC. So after a billion reviews and research trying to decide on Bluesound Vault 2i or Zen Mini MKiii with LPSU, both with their built in DAC’s to start?  But for sound quality, and operationally without Roon, and considering my current system what would you all recommend?  It would be great to hear from owners of both. And especially if anyone feels like the added power supply to the Zen Mini made a significant difference. The initial difference for this is about $700, which is significant for me, but worth it if the SQ is there. I will also be adding an inherited modded vintage Sansui 2000x for music with an SVS SB 2000 or 3000 in the near future. So there’s that.  Thanks in advance for your thoughts!


dsw1887
soix
9,399 posts
 
Darko has compared the Innuos and Node as streamers and preferred the Zen Mini — even more so with the LPSU, so it’s definitely a worthwhile upgrade if you can swing the power supply.  Best of luck. 
fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,544 posts
 
For most streaming freshmen I would recommend the BluSound but for a pro the ZenMini is a better start.
A Teddy Pardo PSU would work magic too.
hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,974 posts
 
I've had the Node 2i for a while, but am coming around to accepting that I can do better. 

@soix or others: Can you briefly explain why the LPSU is important in the Zen Mini or in any other streamer? 

A good friend in Italy built his own streamer/server using two simple computer, an optical connection, and an LPSU. He told me the LPSU was the biggest cost and the most important factor.
More to discover