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Another post about a streamer upgrade

Hello

I’ve read a lot of the threads here about streamers and moving up the chain.

However, it seems there’s not a ton of info for relatively modestly priced streamers … most threads focus on the Bluesound / Ifi Zen range or the Aurender N200 range.

I have an Ifi Zen Stream with an LPS fronted by an Ether Regen and would like to move on to something better… mainly from a usability and app standpoint but would like to spend significantly less than $2k.

I think the writing is on the wall with the Innuos Pulse Mini but curious if others have a suggestion that would be a sq improvement from the Ifi and a much better user experience for around $1500 give or take.

I currently use the JPLAY app to access Qobuz to stream DLNA to the Ifi but it’s frustrating and connectivity isn’t great. 
 

I don’t use Roon so the Sense app from Innuos is probably the best bet from what I gather.   I’d also be interested in the Aurender system but according to many the N200 is where to start there and that’s significant higher priced than where I want to go at this point.

Are there any other options with great usability and sound that I’m not thinking of.

I typically run Spdif coax out to my dacs but could also run usb.

thanks in advance 

j_andrews
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,065 posts
 

“I think the purpose built environment of Innuos or Aurender is a better move ”

@j_andrews 

Unequivocally, Yes! 

j_andrews OP
146 posts
 

There’s a N150 being offered where I live so I could avoid shipping… looks like it may not have been babied but … then again, neither have I  

 

j_andrews OP
146 posts
 

Does anyone have a “sense” on what’s the better app for liner notes and for searching classical music ? Conductor or Sense ? I listen to a lot of styles of music but spend a good bit of time with chamber music and jazz.

Currently I only use Qobuz but as I mentioned the JPLAY portal does a pretty decent job of distilling whatever info it has available to it.

Id like to be able to search by composer as well as performer and also focus down to particular record labels .. and seeing the personnel on a particular recording date is always welcome.  

vthokie83
647 posts
 

Look for a used Aurender N200 (can be found for about $4,500 or so) or a used Innuous Zen MKIII (around $2,300) or a Zenith MKIII (around $4,500)......those would be nice upgrades IMO

gkelly's avatar
gkelly
101 posts
 

@j_andrews  you are correct about the unavailability of the Pulse mini. Two weeks ago, I traded mine in for the Pulse. Called up my dealer if he still had it, and he laughed and said yeah, no. sorry about my incredulous assumptions. I went from Marantz HEOS To the Innuos, the difference was startling And that was before getting the accompanied linear power supply. hopefully you will be able to step up to a nice streamer to see what all the excitement is about.

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