I’m not sure it would since I don’t know the Ambre. I missed your post about your existing setup. I have heard the Innuos Pulsar and Auralic Ares G2.2 but not in my system or with the same DAC. So I don’t know what their relative sonic differences might be. I just think you’re splitting hairs when the technical aspects of streamers are so close. Good luck with your search.
Roon Endpoint Streamers - Direct Comparisons between Current Offerings?
Have any of you directly compared sound quality between any of the current offerings of streamers when used solely as a Roon endpoint/streamer? This assumes Roon core and any local music file storage is being operated on a separate device (i.e., a separate server).
I have listed several of the current options below and while a few of those offer additional features, such as server capabilities, hosting of local file storage, or operating players unique to their manufacturers (i.e., other than Roon), I am interested in their performance solely as a Roon endpoint/streamer. Other suggestions not listed below are welcome, but please consider a $5K -$10K price range.
Streamers
- Sonore Signature Rendu SE optical v3.0 - $5,350
- Auralic Aries G2.2 - $6,099
- Innuos Pulsar - $7,999
Server/Streamers
- Aurender N200 - $6,300
- Antipodes K22 - $9,000
- ...
- 51 posts total
Understood that the set-up was not the same but otherwise can you share any particular thoughts about the sound of either of those two streamers in comparison to the other, or was your impression simply that they both sounded good? |
It depends if this endpoint is going into your main rack or solo headphone rig. I’m a Roon lifetime and have been since it started, which led to years of progression to where I’m at today. Today i run Roon on NAS. - Mac mini ssd and memory modified (shelved) - Oppo 205 (early end point just use for CDs nowadays) Active - Project S2 Digital Box - Sold - Matrix Audio Mini Pro 3 - great little unit and enjoyed - Sold - Brooklyn Bridge 1 (received new Brooklyn Bridge II but selling here on Audiogon, loved 1, love 2 but don’t need it anymore) Active but unplugged. - Eversolo Master DMP-6 - Love with my Woo Headphone rig - KEPT - Eversolo DMP- 8 (a Swiss Army knife had in main system for a few months, just sold on the Roon Community Forum. - Meitner MA3 (Current Main, simply love, and done chasing for what works well and balanced in my system given components, cables, speakers and room). A significant, pricey upgrade but joy.
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Hi @mitch2 :
The Grimm MU1 is definitely a Server (Rooncore) and Streamer. You can now see them for just under 10K lightly used. It is far and away superior to my old Auralic Aries G2, or any embedded bridge in a DAC I have heard. And you save quite a bit not needing a different Roon Core and its associated cords and power supplies. It is incredibly stable as Core, again much more so than my finicky Auralic unit. It sounds very organic and natural, and many have called the pairing with the MM Tambaqui a perfect match. The MU1 sounds amazing with my MM Tambaqui. But it is not as yet functional as a Roon endpoint ONLY. Per my conversations with Grimm, it soon will be. This is really only an issue if you have two systems, where one runs Core and the other needs to be endpoint only. I also would look at an Aurender N20 or one down, but again for me it needs to be Roon Certified as an endpoint. Aurender has repeatedly stated this is coming, but not yet. I personally would not buy an Aurender N series (the only ones touted as soon to be roon endpoints) until it happens. It's Interesting to me that I have seen more N20's for sale in the last 6 months than ever before. You will continually hear that other software sounds better than Roon. I believe this but love Roon, so I want to have both available. Hence, no Aurender until Roon certified. |
- 51 posts total