Streamer matching to system


I am looking to upgrade from my blusound node. I am running a McIntosh MA5300 integrated amp with Revel f208’s and a velodyne DD10 sub with iPad as control interface. I am looking for recommendations for a hifi streamer & digital transport that can store digitally purchased hi res music files. The innuous models come to mind but wondering if there are other products / solutions that I should demo? Some other considerations:  very open to used gear, no limitations on space to house the solution, MQA is not required as I prefer Qobuz, trying to stick close to $3k budget. Cheers!

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Ag insider logo xs@2xmatt_mccloat

@baylinor your set up is wild. It was a bit hard to tell exactly what you did to augment the node - would you mind spelling it out here? 

I owned an Aries G2 for over a year. I loved the app… actually more than the Conductor app I use now with my Aurender streamers. But, I struggled with keeping the Aries on line. I had it reboot every night and still had trouble with it, The sound quality was pretty good… but i think equivalent Aurender sound better and with a wall wart wifi extennder is rock solid. Also, Aurlic requires authentication on line from the company or they will not work. So the first several days mine would not work while I futzed with them to get it registered.

Anywsy I own two Aurender’s now. Unless something changes, if I ever change streamers again, I will be looking at them first. It is all they do, streamers… they definitely make some of the best available.

Upgrade the node. A linear power supply, fiber, and Ethernet cables will set you back maybe $300 to 400 and you’ll get sonic improvement that you’d pay thousands for if your not careful. Good luck. 

@matt_mccloat 

Lol. I just get lazy about repeating myself over and over about my setup. Here it is simplified, from wifi to Dac :

- TP Link extender

- Bluejeans/ Belden ethernet cable

- Smallgreen optical isolation bundle to cleanup ethernet

- Teddy Pardo linear power supply for Node

- Shunyata venom 14 power cord for Teddy

- Node n130 with usb output

- Curious usb cable (original one)

- Gustard x26 pro Dac.

- Cullen gold 12 gauge PC to power dac

I could go on to the cabling to the preamp, preamp, cabling to amp, amp, etc... but that will have to do for now :)

EVERYTHING MATTERS ALONG THE LINE!