Another post about a streamer upgrade

If you can stretch a little this Innuos Zen is nice, and you don’t need to upgrade to a linear power supply cause it already has one,  Bonus is you can load any of your prized CDs right into it.

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650056614-innuos-zen-mk-3/

Roon will set you free. You can get cheaper, effective streamer options -e.g., iFi Zen, Pro-ject S2 (ultra), Wiim, Raspberry pi, Volumio Rivo, primare rp5, etc. - if you’re not being sold on somebody else’s software (Aurender, Auralic, Lumin, Innuos, etc.).  That also frees you up for an extraordinary number of DAC options.  

@j_andrews I am an authorized Aurender dealer and agree with some of the others. Where I typically will say the N200 is the sweet spot of the Aurender line, the N150 is no slouch and would fit very well with the components you list in your virtual system. One thing I would caution you about, however, is that Aurender warranties are non-transferrable. This is very important to note as they are essentially computers, and as we all know, despite a high level of stability, computers run into problems from time to time. Aurender support is impeccable for those who are covered under warranty. It is still great even those who are not, but owners should be prepared to pay for repairs.

I have a few thoughts that I'll also PM you about now.

@2psyop and ​​​​@hilde45 I agree - emphasis on the streamer to improve sound quality without even identifying what sound quality “issue” there is, is an inefficient place to exercise one’s upgrade-itis.

If the interest is in a seamless user interface, it would be most future-proof to start educating oneself on how straightforward some of the LINUX-based freeware OS’s can be run on a self-assembled system. When a separate DAC is in play, there seems a lot less left for the transport computer to make magic of ;)

Ready-made streamers are great if you can (1) afford and justify them and (2) can try the app out firsthand, preferably in your system, before committing. Paying for a streamer app-unused is not something I’d advocate to someone with specific criteria for how it would preferably run.

“Many people tout expensive streamers but what is really driving that?”

@hilde45
Perhaps a pursuit for no-comprising performance at source. What you should be asking in IMHO, Is your rest of the system is up to snuff to reveal improvements by a well designed streamer or DAC.

The argument “Is it the streamer or the DAC that makes the greatest sound quality difference” is getting quite old. You won’t insert a mediocre preamp ahead of high performance amp and vice versa, right?

The quality of recordings issue is not unique to streaming services. We have endured and experienced these inconsistencies with physical media all along. There are plenty of great sounding recordings available to enjoy streaming at very highest level. One can easily put to rest anxieties such as won’t or can’t possibly make a difference by auditioning a high quality streamer or DAC in your system. Is your rest of the system up to snuff…..only you can answer this question.