2. digital
  3. 174792-154522

Please help my ignorant a$$, I just want a good streamer...I think.

For starters let me get this out of the way up front. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND COMPUTERS OR THE LANGUAGE. 

My current set up consists of A custom built Aric Audio 6SN7 line stage, Peachtree 300 amp, Marantz CD6007, Denafrips Pontus II and a Node 2i. All cables DIY Helix design per My Audio Alchemy. Speakers are Monitor audio silver 500's.

In my head I should be able to improve upon the Node. I have been reading threads here and some other forums. I think I want something like a Lumin U1 Mini. Maybe one of the Innuos units with the ripping capability. Just not so sure about the Ripping CD's as that is going to involve hard drives and stuff. Which I would probably have to hire someone I can't afford to make it work. 

Then there are the folks who chime in on most threads at some point. These guys seem to challenge themselves to see how many pieces of stuff they can hook up to stream. How can a chain of 4,5,6 components with all their connections and power supplies not have negative effects not to mention where do they put all this stuff?

I have a cable that comes into my house that plugs into the thing my desktop computer plugs into. I plug an Ethernet CAT8 cable into that (the box not my computer) then into my Node. 

What is the benefit of all individuals pieces? It sure doesn't seem like it saves any money at all. By the time you buy a few pieces of pie some hats, switches, clocks, sonores, rendues and whatever else I am forgetting. Then power supplies and cables to hook it all up.

Then there is the Roon camp. My best bud has Roon. Took Him a few grand including gear and a computer guy from the place he bought it ( he was nice enough help on his own time) and a week to make it work. So that kind of soured me on the Roon idea. 

Don't get me wrong I am a hands on person, pretty mechanical. But when my computer has problems if unplugging it for a day doesn't fix it I go buy a new one and start from scratch (usually have to send the wife to a friends place for a weekend it gets ugly real ugly). Complete idiot! 

In the end I would like the best streamer option I can get under say $2500. I need it to be as "plug and play" as possible or come with amazing instructions/guidance or even better someone that could actually teach me. Someone that can explain on my level. 

I am going to stop here as it seems I am rambling! I am probably leaving stuff out I am sure so please ask and I will fill in. 

I have a great sense of humor so feel free to have some fun with me, I will return it! I just want to make a good decision. Show me what I am missing or not!

 

Cheers.

J.F.

johnfritter
mahughes
171 posts
 

An Innuos Zen Mini 3 sounds like it would work for you. However, as you already have a DAC then maybe go up a level to the Zen 3. The CD ripping could not be more user friendly. Pop a CD in. Set it to fast or quiet (slower) mode and it pops out about 5 minutes later available to play via the Innuos Sense app. You definitely wouldn’t need to hire anyone. There are plenty of other no doubt sensible options to come but in terms of simple plug and play user friendliness allied to great sound the Innuos likely wins.

Roon is a divisive product. Many are evangelical about it. Many don’t see what the fuss is about. One further advantage of the Innuos route is that the former sounds better without Roon whereas many other products can be improved by it.

You have every right to ignore people who want you to now learn about streaming or how x and y will help you do z. Streaming should be as plug and play as playing a CD. The fact that it isn’t is not your problem. Innuos is one of the few products which is plug and play. Simple instructions with good pictures on cabling. Download their Sense app and the rest is easy.

ghdprentice
6,471 posts
 

I recommend an Aurender streamer.The best you can afford, used OK. Streamers are user friendly and sound better (in general and definitely as costs rise). Aurender has a well loved app for ipad or phone Conductor to control. These guys at any level know how to,build a streamer… high fidelity. I use a Aurender N100 for my headphone system and their flagship W20SE for my main system… same sound quality as my great analog rig. 

fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,508 posts
 

Sounds about right. You gotta pay to play. Time is money. Blah blah blah.

You can match the MK3 for $20% to 30% but then you have to do the work.

Just pay 'em. The 1T is plenty to start, you will know what yo do.

chorus
976 posts
 

I am like you- techno challenged. When I chose streaming as my primary

source I wanted something, well, idiot proof.

I also did not want anymore boxes than necessary.

I did not one with a built-in DAC as that technology improves too rapidly.  

I wanted it to be Roon ready as that is another simplification.

I have now owned the Innuos Zen Mk3 for a full year and am very pleased.

Why? at $2,200 new ( Some dealers deal)  I have the ability to rip CDs to the

built-in storage.  

Aurender may exceed it in SQ but not in functionality and value.

 

 

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