Streamer Fidelity: Aurender N200 vs A200 and Lumin U2 vs T3

@glennewdick  Thanks for providing more information. Just to make sure, are you referring to the full blown Lumin U2 or the U2 mini? I ask because you mentioned the U2 was way cheaper, but MSRP is $5K for the U2 vs $6.5K for either Aurender A200 or N200.

I am on a search for a better streamer, and maybe streamer/server combo. I am fairly new at this hobby, and after using various RPI4 based streamers (MoOde by the way is excellent software), my ears were opened when I heard the built in streamer in my Marantz SACD 30n player (I now use it more as a streamer than a disc player). Even though the Marantz/Denon HEOS software is not the best, I control the SACD through my favorite Logitech Media Server controller app which works great IMHO (I run LMS as my music server). So for me, as the search for a better fidelity (and dedicated) streamer continues, bonus points are awarded to those units that support LMS/Squeeze. I know Aurender is a closed system and does not support LMS/Squeeze, and have read some users have had luck with Lumin. Have read Bryston BDP-3 may still support it, and of course Innous and Sotm.

Innuos supports squeeze if I’m not mistaking.
Also, you’re more likely to get a higher quality streamer as a dedicated unit and not a streamer/dac combo. Keep it separated

@audphile1 I agree that dedicated is better. My thinking behind this thread was that if the streamer/dac units were "close enough" (which of course is very subjective) to the streamer only units, then maybe due to the lower used prices of the former I could find something that would work well with my budget.

It was the U2 mini i believe, it was i think $3500ish Canadian$ so around $2500USD if my memory serves, great for for the money bested the Aurender from my perspective at half the cost. Easier App to use as well.

In store demo did not overly justify the upgrade to the more expensive Lumin’s IMO, that was on a Chord electronics and Focal Sopra system. Not my cup of tea the Focal’s, but reveling none the less.

But really we are splitting hairs here they all sound similar specially if your DAC is good. This is why I’m recommending people find a streamer they like the operation/app/etc as that seems to be the over riding long term satisfaction parameter. Sound is subjective and minimum from my experience, once you get above the entry level streamers anyway.

@glennewdick Good to hear that the U2 mini is no slouch - used prices are not crazy, good feature set, and external power supply could be a good future update. Good point that for streamer fidelity, once you get to a certain level, diminishing returns kick in. Of course, this applies to all audio equipment :) And once I find that, also good point that it makes sense to pick the one that has the best software and usability. On this forum member's systems go from the most basic to the incredibly expensive, so that "certain level" of fidelity is different for all of us.