Updating my streamer

I’ll bet if the dealer carried Aurender he would change his view on what sounded best. It’s always amazing what they recommend is always the best.

I have also thought most other high end streamers sounded better than aurenders. I bought the Auralic Aries over the then top of the line Aurender. The Lumin and Lightning DS software was much better than Aurender software.

If you don’t use usb (which I haven’t since owning the Auralic), and you use Ethernet to the dac, you don’t need any special server to run Roon or Audirvana. 
Since no server is better than any other server/streamer at reading bytes off a disk, the only thing you are buying a server when using usb to the dac is if the server has enhanced the usb connection. 

Since I switched to i2s to the dac and my server is in a different room running Roon, I bought a streamer that gets my server data from wired Ethernet and outputs to i2s, no disks are attached. This streamer is an end point in Roon.

All these streamer/DACs recommended by folks are a "big step up" from the Node. However, I just recently saw that Bluesound is upping their game with a new streamer/DAC having a 5" screen, a better DAC implementation, and low noise power supply. Called the NODE Icon, it puts a pair of ESS ES9039Q2M into a dual mono D/A conversion circuit and powers it internally with an ultra-low-noise power supply. ~$1000 USD. Maybe worth considering.

It also will support Dirac room correction software but you'll have to have you own Dirac license and calibrated microphone to set that up if it interests you. 

oddfio 

the 432evo depending on model uses an sotm usb card and clock with all  custom software  with a tweaked low noise motherboard with two external s booster power supplies  software the  only thing pc like is the case. 

and as stated we have outperformed many Aurender and Innous models

Dave and Troy

Audio intellect NJ

432evo dealers

Which Node do you have? If it’s an older one, the new Icon Node will be out soon with a much improved DAC. I have a NODE where I have changed out the PSU and use an external DAC via USB. I understand that you may want to save space, but you may find that your Node is an adequate streamer and what will make the biggest difference is spending what funds you have available on a DAC (and decent connecting cable).

That being said, both my audio guys speak highly of the Hifi rose, and I heard it in a system at upscale audio when demoing preamps as well as the house streamer in the showroom of my main dealer that he uses when just working in his office that is to the side of the room (he has better ones but appreciates the ease of operation) and in both cases it sounded really good.

Surprised that Auralic is not getting a mention, Altair G2.2 for example or Vega G2.2, both very capable units