Streamer suggestions with both wireless and wired connections

My CD / DAC and Streamer / DAC sound the same when playing the same red book files… from CD (I am using the same DAC I either scenario), stored files or streamed. This is true for me by design… getting the highest quality sound at my level of investment. However, streaming sounds better when streaming high resolution files like the half a million albums on Qobuz.

I am not completely sure at how you are looking at the CD comparison. what a CD sounds like is dependent on the transport and DAC. I am going to use cost as a shorthand for performance. So for instance if you were to compare my streamer to say a $5K CD transport (with the same DAC being used) or $10K+ CD player, my streamer would sound much better, as well as having far greater functionality.

A streamer can easily sound much better than a CD player or transport. It depends on the comparison. The sound of a CD is fundamentally controlled by the equipment used to play it… as is streaming. The better the player / transport or streamer the better the sound.

Sorry if that is either over explaining or a bit jumbled. I’m just not feeling very concise at the moment.

I understand your point of view. But in my experience, the price does not necessarily determine the SQ, and they are not necessarily proportional (and not only is audio stuff). Jay's Audio CD transport is known to be one of the best, hence I don't think that by replacing it with a $20k CD transport the picture will essentially be changed, and the same with the DACs I use.  Overall, while measuring the SQ we are often subjective, and it is a matter of an individual taste. 

But I think you reached the most important thing - you are completely satisfied with your choice.   

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It’s true price does not equal performance, but better parts and additional R&D increase costs that must be passed on to the customer. Moving up a brand’s product line, like Aurender, one would expect better performance. Whether the increased performance is worth the price is a matter of a subjective opinion.

@niodari

I understand. You cannot randomly choose equipment at a price point and expect to realize this relationship. It must be carefully chosen to be the best at the price level and to be purpose built to your sound quality values… like highly detailed, or musical… warm… etc.

I do not come to this opinion by comparing two or three auditions and purchases but from hundreds over fifty years of dedicated pursuit. In general, if you do good solid research… you get performance at the level of your investment. Each 2x in investment gives you a “wow… I can’t believe how much better that sounds!”

Ghdprentice is one of a handful of people here that I almost always agree with regarding an upgrade path.  I use his formula or rational, if it does not cost 2 to 3 times more that what you are replace, it's probably not an upgrade.  In this hobby there is nothing worse, or a greater waste of money than a lateral move.  Happens all the time in this hobby 

It also has a lot to do with your existing components.   Can they fully exploit the new streamer ?   Is the new component a good fit ?  Does other gear need upgrading too?   Only you can decide if pulling the trigger on something is worth the money.  

I have a Bluesound Vault 2i....  a great machine that has served me well.   In my search for it's replacement I got a deal on an Aurender that I could not refuse.    I did a cash and trade deal to be able to afford a N200 but it was well worth it.  I still use the Vault , it still sounds good and for the price it's hard to beat but it's no Aurender.   It is perfect for my 2nd system ,  better suited with that level of components.  

I stream 80% lately so for me it was worth while. 

There are a ton of good streamers out there.  They are not created equal though  Aurender was one of if not the first company to build dedicated streamers.    Build quality is over the top , they sound great and have an excellent interface.   Their support is excellent 

Personally I would avoid a wireless streamer or at least choose one that is wired ether/ wifi