Streamer Selection - Thoughts Requested Please!

I too have been shopping for a streamer, seems like 6 months, and I’ve read every review and article on the ones you listed above. I think it’s important to get a newer release with the technology and/or features changing I was on board with the Innuos Pulse until I read they did not update the cpu with the new Pulse. Might not affect you but with digital processing speed is important. The few reviews seem quite positive on the Pulse and Innuos apparently has a more musical sound compared to Lumins more relaxed or forgiving sound. I went with the U2mini for the time being but plan on the Hifi Rose rs130 if it is well made and no issues. It uses optical and has i2s, which both are supposed to improve sound quality. Not sure if that’s a top priority for you. The Auralic g2.2 gets good reviews. If you can stretch your budget, the Innuos Pulsar sounds like an awesome option. It’s essentially the Statement minus a couple of features. The Statement is quite well regarded in reviews. Anyway, good luck and let us know which direction you choose. 
P.S. Not sure if you want to go this path but some dacs now have servers in them. Not streamers so you just have to download Jriver or Audirvana and use Tidals app and you don’t need a streamer. I know Bricasti does this and so does Rockna. A bit more money but you eliminate the need for a streamer. May as well sink tha into a dac for better sound quality. 

@norust 

Whats important to me would be the sound quality, an app with solid integration with Apple and TIDAL.  I am leaning to Aurender as their players/transports are "streamers" / no DAC, they seem to integrate well with Apple and the Conductor app gets mixed reviews but mostly is well liked.

I went to my copy of Conductor to see if it interfaces with Apple Music.  I didn’t see apple as an option, but I’m pretty sure that it will .. or am I behind with the updates?

Like all help me find xyz, there are differing opinions from knowledgeable members.  Last year I went with Aurender because of three factors.  1.  They only make streaming/server equipment and are well thought of.  2.  A member/dealer that I have relied upon to provide me with a very musical phono preamp suggested that I go with Aurender.  3.  Same member/dealer had a trade-in Aurender that I was able to buy at a reasonable price.

Fine streamer and I’m very happy with my choice.  That doesn’t mean that Auralic isn’t a fine choice, but if I upgrade, I will stay with Aurender.

As far as build quality, I think Aurender is best in class at most any price point. And, I think the conductor app that runs their systems is very good. Not as good as Roon for meta data, but arguably better than Lightning DS (Auralic), BluOS, and Lumin’s app. I haven’t used Innuos Sense so I can’t comment there. Aurender is a safe bet.

I will note that I had an Aurender N100H which I sold and upgraded to an Auralic Aries G2 streamer which was clearly better than the N100H. But, Aurender now has the N150 - which I haven’t heard. I’m guessing it’s a significant upgrade over previous units. 

Sound quality I think it depends more on the favored input of your DAC. The Auralic Aries G2  via USB or SPDIF is very good but it is substantially better via their proprietary lightning link (“LL”) - significantly better than any other connection. But that connection only works with other Auralic gear. So again - I think you’d want to know the preferred input on your DACs. Some DACs are better w/ SPDIF, some w/ USB, some with their proprietary connection like mine.

I would think Aurender would get the nod for DACs that prefer SPDIF or AES/EBU. I think the other streamers are probably fairly competitive if using USB.

You can buy a used Auralic Aries G2.x for the top end of your budget.  If I were looking for new in that range, I’d probably go Aurender. Again - it’s the safe bet to sound very good, be reliable and well supported.  

Just be forewarned - better streamers can make a very significant diffenence. Listen for spatial cues and openness. You may find it leads to the proverbial rabbit hole where you start considering going even further upstream. And, they’re quite responsive to cable upgrades too. 

Best,

@vonhelmholtz 

You can stream to Aurender from AirPlay supporting devices. Go to

settings ➡️ streaming ➡️ stream to Aurender ➡️ enable service 

Zenith mk3 owner here, so I have no problem recommending the pulse. Innuos sense app is wonderful with Qobuz. No clue about Tidal since I don't use it. 

Enjoy the journey.