2. digital
  3. 181468-164802

Streamer upgrade? follow up.

I posted the first part of this earlier in the week. There are a few other threads running concurrently here about this same subject.This is my personal experience with this situation.Ive been using a Aurender A100 streamer/dac which is they’re entry level unit, the SQ wasn’t horrible but I was pretty sure I could get it better.In a attempt to do that I purchased a Denafrips Pontus two and a DhLabs Mirage Usb cable to use with the A100 utilizing its Usb out.The two local hi fi dealers here in SO Cal both told me this would not produce much of an result and in my opinion after trying it they were both correct. So… as I stated in the first post I was coming from a “bit is bits” perspective which was I was convinced adding a better Dac would accomplish my goals, I just couldn’t believe that the zeros and ones  could possibly effect the quality of sound. But not being one to give up I decided in for penny in for a pound Id see for myself if there was anything to the other side of this conversation, I wanted a new toy for Xmas anyway.So I traded my A100 plus some cash to TMR ( nice people btw) for a shiny new Aurender N200 which arrived yesterday. Last night the moment of truth, I hooked up the new unit with the exact same everything as before in my system nothing different but the streamer.I let the tubes and everything else warm up for a few hours,picked a song I knew inside and out sat down and pressed play. Immediately within the first few notes of the Stones “ Wild Horses “ I knew I had made the right choice and that I was wrong believing  bits are bits “. I really don’t have adequate language to describe the difference in sound quality other than to say I feel like Im in someone else’s home listening to they’re far superior system, its that drastic.I can with complete confidence say this has got to be one of if not the most significant upgrades Ive made in my system, scouts honor!              PS. Grinin ear to ear here.                                                            

bikeboy52
sns
3,338 posts
 

I'm not going to get into the moral implications of privilege, I'd estimate all of us audiophiles in top tier here, level of guilt subjective.

 

I do believe value for money is valid question, personally, I don't see parts and assembly costs of off the shelf streamers to be value proposition. I'm DIY kind of person, so utility one of most important considerations. Business models for off the shelf don't provide me with equivalent utility vs my research, labor time, but that's just me.

 

Bottom line, each individual undertakes their own cost benefit analysis, vast majority of individuals using high end streamers find them to be worth it, who am I or anyone to question that. Objectively, great variability in streamers, observationally, sound quality correlates with price,  and my own experience mirrors that.

Post removed 
vthokie83
942 posts
 

It's funny how EVERY thread regarding streamers or DACs turns into this back and forth which provides no value to anyone. I come here to listen to other people's input on what works well for them.....not pissing contests.

I think we need to remember that there are readers on this and all threads who are at every price point, and they deserve to get quality recommendations. And yes I understand that this particular post is in relation to the Aurender N200.

(1) A Bluesound Node 130 (not Node 2i as it does not output USB) is a terrific streamer at it's price point; as long as you have a nice DAC to bypass it's internal DAC and SQ improves dramatically.....especially using USB. Add an upstream DDC like the Denafrips Iris ($550) which reclocks and cleans the signal (galvanically and optically) and output I2S to the Pontus II ups the ante again. Total cost about $1,050 for the Node 130 and Iris DDC.

(2) Step up to the Auralic streamer at $3,200 and yes you will get an improvement in SQ over the Node 130; and add the Iris DDC at $550 and you will definitely be at a level the Node cannot reach. Total cost about $3,750 for the Auralic and Iris DDC.

(3) Move up even further to the Aurender N200 streamer at $6,000 and yes you may get a considerable improvement in SQ over the Auralic, and add a PS Audio Airlens at $3,500 and you will definitely be at a level the Node or Auralic cannot reach. However the total cost rises to about $9,500 for the Aurender and Airlens.

I'd LOVE to have the funds to buy the N200, but that is not my within my financial reality.....thus it's important to find the very best sound I can within my budget. And I'll save my shekels until I can afford an Aurender product. Right now my reality is a Node 130 and a Denafrips Iris DDC, with a Supra Excalibur USB cable ($140) and a Audioquest Vodka 8K HDMI ($300) cable for I2S to the Pontus.

Happy New Years to you all!

jerryg123's avatar
jerryg123
3,429 posts
 

Yep you are right deleted my snarky retort. 

lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,593 posts
 

@vthokie83 

Good post but why would anyone put together N200 and AirLens as suggested in your #3. Their core functionality is identical i.e. streamer. 

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