2. digital
  3. 189053-37252

Streamer and DDC (I need AES/SpDif output)

For several reasons I have been off music for a while but I am now getting back to our hobby. I am interested in streaming, I have an older DAC ( Weiss DAC202) with no USB i/f, which sounds best with either Firewire (anyone remember it?) or AES/EBU inputs. I am not interested in upgrading the DAC which sounds excellent. I also have a high end PC which could be used as a server and a NAS so all I need is a steamer/renderer. I see most streamers lack AES and/or Spdif interfaces and USB seems to be the generally accepted interface.

What I was thinking was using a good streamer with USB output and a DDC to convert the USB to AES or Spdif. Question is should I get a better streamer with something like a SRC-DX or a lesser streamer with a better DDC like the Audio-GD DI20HE or the Singxer SU6.

I could buy a streamer with the desired interfaces but the choice is restrictive and the better ones are beyond my budget.

Alternatively I could build a low powered PC with a linear PSU (as a renderer) and use something like HQplayer.

Streamers I am considering (I appreciate some are server/streamer) : Second hand Antipodes EX, Innuos Zen/Zenith, older Aurender.

DDCs : SRC-DX, Audio-GD DI20HE (or newer DI24HE), Singrex SU6, Martix X-spdif.

Budget: up to 3,500 Euro.

Thanks,

Greg

greg_f
Post removed 
soix
9,559 posts
 

If you go with Innuos the Iris or Hermes DDC would be obvious/synergistic choices.  The Iris provided a significant performance boost in my system.  BTW, you definitely want to use AES/EBU over SPDIF if possible.  Best of luck.

jackd
1,068 posts
 

All of the Auralic Aries G series and Lumin U series streamers have AES/EBU outputs so no DDC needed.  The on sale Aries G1.1 is your best bargain.

greg_f OP
106 posts
 

@soix the Hermes was also in my list but I forgot to mention it. You are right I definitely prefer AES/EBU to SPDIF. Could you tell me more how the Iris improved your system? In what areas? For my system, since my DAC does not have USB, I believe the quality of the DDC will be vital since it will reclock the input signal. If I go down the DDC route, at a later stage I may slave the DDC to the clock out of the DAC or try a external master clock although I prefer the clock source to be as close as possible to the DAC IC. 

@jackd For some reason I have been put off Aularic but I could change my mind. I was interested in the Lumin U2 but is above my budget. Do you feel Aularic competes with Auralic, Innuos and Antipodes?

Another question, in the above configuration what will be more important, the quality of the streamer or the DDC?

I have just seen a used Aurender N10 for a price slightly above my budget so I may consider that too.

 

 

More to discover