Streamer Recommendation.


Budget 7000US$.  (+/-)

System: Amplification: Luxman L 509X.  Speakers: Joseph Audio Perspective.  DAC:  PS Audio Perfect Wave.  CD/SACD PS Audio Perfect Wave.  Streamer:  BlueSound Node 2.I

I am limited to WiFi, due to my router location.   I would like a high quality streamer without DAC that will provide a noticeable improvement over the entry level Node.

Any assistance would be very helpful.

 

 

rbsaudio

+1 for Auralic.

if you can use a mesh system as suggested earlier than Innuos Zenith should also be a contender — you can rip cd’s and the unit can also optionally run as a Roon server. Once you get the streamer, I highly suggest a passive filter like ENO.

BTW, I also have the JA Perspective2 Graphene speakers — by far the best speaker I’ve ever owned. I used to own Luxman 590Axii and absolutely loved the combo.

I owned the Bryston and it sounded great but I got rid of it due to the software management program which ruined the whole experience.  I also  found the WiFi didn’t work as well as the wired, and the OP is limited to WiFi.  At that budget I would be looking at Aurender or Auralic, both of which I have heard demonstrated and sounded great.  Auralic may possibly be better with WiFi but I like the idea floated by @blisshifi of upgrading the WiFi, which the OP budget should allow for, and which will probably benefit any choice that he makes

Not sure you have to spend all your budget but that is a good place to be.  There are several good streamers in the $5k and under price range.  Biggest difference is abilty to do roon and controls.  to me the big 3 are arurender, innuos and auralic.   Aurender sees roon as a competitor and doesn't support roon so stay away from aurender if you want to ever use roon.  If you don't use roon, then the control software on each system will be important to you.  I chose Innuos.  It does roon and controls from a phone ap.

after the streamer you should probably upgrade the digital system feeding it.  make sure you have good quality ethernet cable from your router.  For digital, i like cables with silver coated copper.  Not necessarily terribly expensive. Audioquest has several levels that work for me.  install an upgraded 'audiophile' switch.  I used etherregen.    the switch plus calbles will run you a grand or a bit more.

Jerry

Everyone's sense of budget is personal.

That said, the rate at which streaming seems changeable would prevent me from spending $7k or even less on a streamer right now.

we would recommend a 432evo Aeon it will compete easily with the most popular 20k servers and streamers

it is upgradable and modular so it will never become obsolete

it runs Roon and has been designed to run Roon in a way that improves Roons

sound quality

432 evo keeps innovating its sound quality by coming out with new and improved

operational filters and sound quality such as the new Extremo and augmented bass mode filters,

https://432evo.be/index.php/2022/05/25/432-evo-2022-reviews/

we sell them with a two week in home trial

https://topnewreview.com/432-evo-aeon-review/

you can use a ethernet bridge to overcome the wifi issues.

Dave and Troy

Audio Intellect nj

us importers432Evo music servers