If I was starting over again and didn’t have a DAC or streamer (and had the cash) the MU2 would be under the tree. 🌲 Not socks 🧦
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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- 49 posts total
Thank you @grannyring for your feedback on the SQ of the Pulsar, the responsive support of Innuos, and your preference for the Sense app over Roon. I will have a hard time giving up the artist write-ups on Roon but for better SQ, maybe. The SQ of my system took a surprising step forward this week by moving my server to a separate room with my modem, router, switch, and fiber converter, LPSs for all, and connected to a dedicated 20A line. I put my muon filter directly between my router and server, and then extended 45 feet of fiber to a Sonore Signature Rendu SE Optical (SRO) in my system room. The improvement was beyond subtle and is characterized by a somewhat rounder, fuller, more dimensional, and more musically enjoyable presentation compared to using the Metrum Ambre as a Roon endpoint, which is a bit more incisive with perhaps a slightly flatter presentation - still pretty good but not as good. Some of the improvement may be from using the USB input on my DAC, which seems better than the S/PDIF input, although going through the SRO still improved on a direct USB connection between my server and DAC. I could be satisfied and finished for now but, based on all the positive comments made here about the Pulsar, I would still like to hear the level of SQ improvement/difference (if any) it makes in my system. Maybe I will look into whether a 30-day trial is an option. |
- 49 posts total