Roon Endpoint Streamers - Direct Comparisons between Current Offerings?

Based on my listening, the streamer/endpoint has more influence on SQ than the server to the point where it seems the server only needs to be competent and reliable.  

This.  Bravo! 

Based on my research (I flirted with going with the Grimm MU1), the MU1 does have USB out, however, the real benefit of the MU1 is only seen with its S/PDIF and AES/EBU outputs. The synchronous outputs receive the benefits of the MU1’s clocking and upscaling. Using the USB output would be a waste of the MU1’s capabilities.

As far as the Innuos Pulsar, its only output is USB, albeit a seriously reclocked USB. Innuos is still in process of getting it Roon certified but it can be used as a generic Roon endpoint.

The Grimm and Pulsar were both on my radar, but ultimately I went with the Rose RS130 after a week long in home audition.

Mitch in trying to address your original post. Leaving perceived value out and just honing on sound quality, my Optical Rendu being served by the SGC Sonic Transporter i7 is my 3rd best sounding rig. My Innuos Zenith M3 with outboard Pheonix reclocker is a clear step up even with Roon. (Like you I have a lifetime subscription) Now if instead I use the Innuos Sense instead of Roon, now it gets way better still. Flipping  between Roon and Sense does take a configuration change and services to restart. (Perhaps a minute total)

I also just purchased an Antipodes K50 which was purchased used within your price range. It does the Roon dance right with lots of user installable HD space, speedy interface and a high quality streamer in one box.

Purely based on the 3 streamers you presented, the Auralic would be my least favourite (on the cold side to my ears) then the Sonore Optical Sig, however the Innuos to my ears is a significant upgrade. Good luck with wherever you land!

Thank you @ianderson for your post that directly compares some of the options I am considering. 

I have a SGC i9 G3 on its way here so will start there on the server side along with my current Signature Rendu SE optical as the endpoint, which I believe would be considered a step up from the opticalRendu depending on the PS you used.  I like having an endpoint with a USB output, which I can connect into my Singxer DDC, from which I can run a variety of output connections to a couple of different DACs I am using.

After getting the i9 set up, I believe my next step may be to compare endpoints between the Sig Rendu SE o and the Innuos Pulsar about which I keep hearing good things.  The other configuration I considered was to purchase an Innuos Zenith M3, to use as a server only, to feed the Pulsar as the endpoint.  Either way, having the Pulsar as an endpoint would allow me to try the Sense app, which is possibly a reason to choose the Pulsar over the Sig Rendu SE o.  My plan is to get the i9 set up and then directly compare the Pulsar against the Sig Rendu SE o in my system.

You don’t need to start with expensive high end streamer options to get top notch sound with Roon. I do it with many Roon endpoints ranging in cost to $0 on existing computers, tablets, smartphones to a newer $500 streamer to another that cost way more. THEY ALL SOUND REALLY REALLY GOOD, no obvious flaws!!! Toss in smart use of Roon DSP and you can have it all on most any reputable Roon endpoint.

I run Roon on at least 6 or 7 different devices in my house as needed and RoonArc remotely. WHich Roon is best? I have no clue. It’s the rest of teh system Roon is running on at the moment that really matters. Maybe some day I will attempt some kind of unbiased direct a/b comparison but frankly I really don’t care. IT’s not rocket science! Start with a computer tablet or smart phone for not much. Add to that from there as needed. I’m sure the reliable high end Roon devices sound great as well. They better considering the systems they are most likely running on.

The fact that Roon runs on all these different endpoints from commercial computer up to high end streamers is one of its most valuable features....no hardware lock-in!!!  The others are sound quality, User experience and extremely powerful and flexible DSP.  Roon is perhaps the single best investment a 21th century audiophile and music lover can make IMHO.

So I am a big Roon fan, eh?

Cheers!