New streamer


I recently opened a discussion on upgrading my DAC. I started at the beginning of that discussion, that I was a vinyl guy, but with my purchase of the Chord Qutest, I realized that digital music can be outstanding and want to now upgrade my Node.

That will provide 2 benefits: Maximizing my current systems digital, and allow me to move the Node & Schiit Modi Multibit 2 to the family room, a small HT setup with a Yamaha AVR driving a Goldenear soundbar. Streaming there is currently MusicCast using the AVR DAC.  The improvement there should be very nice. 

My 2 channel equipment is as follows: 

Rogue RP-1 w/ NOS Brimar’s, LSA Warp 1, KEF R11’s, Rhythmic F12SE, Pro-ject 1Xpression w/Hana ML, Rega Aria, Bluesound Node w/Qubuz, Marantz CD6007, Chord Qutest. Good to very good power, speaker, interconnect cables.  
My weakest link (I believe) is now my Node. 
I don’t want or need amplification or volume control, ripping storage, nor an internal DAC. Sound signature should be neutral. 
My budget is $2,500, but willing to spend less. My current favorites are:

Lumin U2 mini. Very well reviewed, beautiful, perfect form factor, good app & controllable via my Harmony One remote. It is currently my #1 choice.

Auralic Aris. If new, the G1.1, if used G2.0 or 2.1. Very well reviewed, good app, OK form factor, but not controllable via harmony.  
Naim ND5 XS2. Considered the best high end streamer by What Hi Fi  Would need to buy used to stay close to budget.

EverSolo DMP-A6. Included based upon reviews, but may not be a serious contender. 
HiFi Rose RS250A. The streamer EverSolo seemed to copy  

Aurender. Don’t think they have anything within my budget, but included for discussion.

 LPS upgrade for Node. Included because I know it will come up. Plan to reuse my node downstairs, so out. Would prefer LPS upgrade for one of the above.  

Please let me know your thoughts and/or recommendations. Thanks!

 

 

128x128signaforce

@signaforce I highly recommend a good power cord and Ethernet cable for the Aurender. Doesn’t have to be crazy expensive. But will take the N150 performance up a notch.

“The N150 is a perfect fit for my system and I think has brought my system to my ‘audio nirvana’.”

@signaforce 

That’s what counts at the end of the day.  Enjoy your N150! 

doesn’t smack you in the face, like say going from a $600 phono cartridge to a $3,500 phono cartridge 

Just curious, do all the ASR flat-earthers get all defensive about this comment and want you to prove it like they do with cables and digital? Or are there some "numbers" that help validate this "opinion"? 

Upgraded power cables and cat 8 Ethernet cable with 1gb speed to N150. The only remaining investment I plan is a 20A dedicated electrical run. As my nephew put it (an EE with an excellent system) “it’s something audio people do when they have run out of things to buy”.
It’s been a fun journey since my first system in 1973 when I was 21: Marantz 2270, Dual 1229 w/Shure SME T2 imp, Rectilinear III LowBoys, Soundcraftsmen 2012A. Been through a lot of iterations since then, but this is the first system I can honestly say beats my first. Thanks!

One more thing… hearing aids. Many of us are getting up in age and our hearing is not what it once was. I bought very good hearing aids because of this ($6,000 Signia’s). Side benefit, it flattens your hearing across the musical spectrum. The audiologist tests your hearing at about 20 different frequencies and adjusts your hearing aids accordingly. 
The universal setting maximizes the sound of a human voice. However, 3 of the brands have a recorded music setting which flattens your hearing across the spectrum. Think of it as equalization for your ears. Even if you don’t have hearing loss, your hearing probably is not flat. Food for thought. Thanks!