I upgraded from using my mac mini 2020 i7 as all components of roon to using it to control an Aries G2.1. The difference in SQ was substantial, but don't forget the importance of cables, especially power. It is a little twitchy. I was swapping cables while it was powered on and blew the main usb port and had to ship to Oregon for repair. I also have been unable to get teh lightning app to work on my net, but think it's a bonjour bug in my old router. Last, it draws too much power IMO, even when asleep, and when I turn it off with the switch, and then turn it on, it doesn't connect. I have to a manual sleep cycle to make it work. If I leave the unit switched on but asleep as intended, then it always works. The presence of an aux usb port shoudl be great for playing from an SLC drive for even better SQ, but I need to get an external LPS for that.
Streamer Comparison and Suggestions
I am considering options for a new streamer for the specific purpose of improving sound quality as a Roon endpoint feeding a DAC.
The set-up:
- networked server/Roon core in a separate room
- connection to my main system using fiber, a converter and LPS
- very short Ethernet cable into dual Bonn N8 switches
- Network Acoustics Ethernet cable then muon filter
- Metrum Acoustics Ambre Roon endpoint/streamer (currently)
- Variety of DACs having USB, S/PDIF, and AES/EBU input options
The Ambre is a Raspberry Pi based device with internal LPS and femto clocking. I am curious whether some of the more expensive, more well-known streamer options may result in improved sound quality as a Roon endpoint feeding my DAC - which is my only goal. I intend to continue using Roon to control Tidal, Qobuz, and my server stored music files so the addition of fancy touchscreens, on-board storage, or optional player software will not affect my decision unless the device also offers improved sound quality.
Streamers I have been considering are in the $5-8K price range and include:
- Sonore Signature Rendu SE (optical or otherwise - USB output only) $5,300
- Innuos Pulsar (USB output only) $7,999
- Auralic Aries G2.2 (lots of flexibility) $6,099
Thanks for any suggestions and specifically any comparisons between the streamers listed above.
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So you all got me interested in Grimm again and I reached out to them and asked whether they were considering developing a streamer type product. John-Paul Lizars replied that their goal of the MU1/MU2 was to offer "a self contained solution to digital audio playback." They strive for "the best possible fidelity, an elegant simplicity and user friendly operation." Of the separate server and streamer set-up, he said, "the use you describe, while having merit, is more complex than we like." However, he also mentioned, "the MU1 can function as a Roon endpoint and customers do use it that way to accomplish the configuration you describe." Subsequent to that, I found and purchased a Sonore Signature Rendu SE Optical from a seller who is only about an hour from me. I like the simplicity of the Sonore streamer and if the sonics match the reviews, it should work fine for me. If not, there is always Grimm.
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@mitch2 If you’re in NoCal please PM on Agone. Also I may know a guy who may br able to get a certain streamier at a discount if you can read me. Dig Daddyoh? (At times it is frustrating that Agone will not allow phone numbers and personal info but that keeps the buying/selling lock tight.) |
I own a Pulse + Phoenix USB reclocker. The Sense app (running Qobuz) is very robust and it was so good that I got rid of Roon, especially as my system sounded better without it. The quality of the Innuos products is awesome that I can imagine the Pulsar would be an incredible streamer too. Enjoy your journey. |
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