USB yet again

Laltik, certianly not thinking you are, I've found your posts helpful and objective in the past.

That comparison would be interesting, and my hope is to one day own a Aurender N200 or whatever replaces it when I have the funds available. I would also like to upgrade my DAC someday, something like a Holo Audio May DAC KTE or Denafrips Terminator Plus; or whatever is best at that time of affordability. I do have access to an Aurender N10, but I won't test it lest I start lusting after something I cannot yet afford to add

@vthokie83

Thanks for your kind words. As others have reported, N200 with May or Terminator + DAC would be a formidable pairing and substantial jump in SQ over your existing setup. You’re wise man, I wouldn’t recommend N10 audition either unless you’re prepare to write a check. N10 is a remarkable player and if I may say so, a steal on used market. It has a very effortless, relaxed and detail presentation whereas N200 leaned towards more energy, livelier and detailed presentation.
Good luck in your journey and happy new year!

Thanks to all on this and various other threads who have been so helpful and illuminating in my search for information to level-up my streaming situation.

I’m definitely pretty budget constrained but am looking at either the Aurender N100 or Innuos Pulse on the high-end of the spectrum (for me) or the Innuos Pulse Mini on the lower end.

regarding USB, both the N100 and the Pulse are USB out only streamers.

Some here have said that finding the right DAC with a great USB implementation would be key in terms of getting the most out of such a streamer.

What are some of these DACs with a good USB input.

Neither of my DACs have USB…Border Patrol SE-I and Denafrips Ares ii.  I do have the Denafrips Iris DDC however which I could feed from one of the aforementioned streamers before the DAC, but I’m not sure of that would be extraneous on such a quality unit. 
 

Would love to get some feedback on that potential situation

thanks

JS

@j_andrews Look for Amanero or XMOS usb board in dac, not aware of any other top flight usb implementation on dacs.

I had Singxer SU6 at one point, never even bothered listening to it as research and logic made it moot point to even bother. Added complexity, DDC do have issues, even the SU6 benefited from modifications and even more complexity. The other thing remaining in favor of using usb vs I2S was optimal usb implementation in both streamer and dac, point is stick with best ports on streamer and dac. Agree with Latik, the best streamers negate the need for add ons like DDC, they provide top flight rendering, DDC superfluous. In can see how DDC could better streamer with less than optimal rendering or streamer/dac mismatch with optimal ports. AES/EBU should also be considered a contender, although not much talked about, Antipodes claims this best output in K series streamers, came very close to purchasing. At some point I may get around to trying various JCAT and Pink Faun PCIe cards in my streamer, I2S and AES/EBU both available, along with the more usual usb and network cards.

@j_andrews

A bit of clarification, which streamer you’re currently using and ARES II should have USB input along with SPDIF.

You got two reasonably good sounding DAC’s. I am in a camp where both DAC and Streamer quality matters. I am not going to get into a debate which carries more weight. If you’re deferring your DAC purchase then I would focus on either Pulse or a used Aurender N10. Both of these streamers should offer beautiful pairing (SPDIF output) with SE-I and USB or SPDIF out to Ares II now and with whatever DAC you choose down the road.

The Pulse Mini or N100 would be an intermediate step if you’re considering a DAC upgrade down the road.

+1 on @sns recommendation of Amanero or XMOS usb board in dac.