Need recommendations for a streamer


I would like to upgrade from a Bluesound Node to a higher quality streamer.

 

The Node sounds fine with my current system, but I am making a second system for my wife, and the Node is going to that new system. I thought I would take the opportunity to upgrade my streamer at this time.

 

My criteria are that it be a streamer only (no DAC/storage/CD player, etc), be able to hook into wi-fi/cloud without a physical wire/connection, have balanced outputs to go to my DAC, and cost less than 2,500 USD. Can anybody think of a streamer that fits this bill?

 

The rest of my system:

DAC: Terminator II

Preamp: Schiit Freya+

Amps: PS Audio M1200 x 2

Speakers: Thiel CS 2.3

 

Thanks.

cowhorn

Don't be fast to dump your Freya+. Paired with the M1200s? Yum.

IMHO Try your darnedest to avoid WiFi. Run a cable. (CAT6 is good for about 300'.) It takes time, but you get used to drilling holes through your walls. And floors. And those long drill bits are cool. 
 

 

Your DAC has an I2s in.  You should find a streamer with I2s output.  Ps Audio is coming out with the AirLens in October for $2K.  It will galvanically isolate from the wired ethernet..not sure about wifi..but personally I prefer wired if I can get rid of ethernet noise and that will be what the AirLens does..then I2s out and that should go directly into your DAC and since  I2s carries all clock information, the DAC doesn't have to reconstruct the streamer's output.

Bricasti M5 Network Streamer took my streaming to another level. Only an Ethernet cable, no Wifi, no computer cables,  just a network connection. Should be a good companion to your Terminator. Check it out

Streamers without DACs sound broadly similar in my experience.  However you do need a good interface to access your music which you lose by abandoning Bluesound.  I recommend Roon - it is even better than Bluos and will revolutionize your listening.   You would need a 'roon-ready’ streamer.  I recommend Pro-Ject Stream box S2 ultra as a good wifi or wired streamer (no dac). Or the Auralic Aries G1. The latter is a lot more expensive but in my a/b testing was no better in sound quality.