2. digital
  3. 191637-302

Streamer for LTA Aero

I've been shopping for a highly capable, yet sensible streamer to pair with a LTA Aero DAC... on order. I'm trying to read everything, but being just about as far away from tech savvy as one can be, I have to give great weight to the guidance of others. The streamers that are most of interest to me are the Aurenders N200 and N150, and the Innuos ZEN and ZENith. My interest in the Innuos line is due mostly to their ripping feature - that might be unfair - I have a couple thousand CDs. That being said, I'm not deaf to those who advise that If I get the streamer/DAC thing right, I'll never reach for a CD again. My interest in the Aurender line is not only that they are high end, but that they are a friendly choice for those with limited computer savvy (I ain't kidding either, my new cellphone is kicking my behind). After talking with the Aurender rep at Axpona, I was all in on the N200. Now that I've chosen the Aero DAC, I'm considering that I'll be paying for capabilities, not relevant to the Aero, and that the N150 might provide essentially the same SQ at half the price. I'm very happy with my amplifier/speaker combination and believe that it's a highly capable pairing. They're pretty obscure in this country, but FWIW, I have a New Audio Frontiers Supreme 300B SE integrated feeding SoundKaos 40 speakers. I'm open to criticism as well.

phaelon
phaelon OP
1,052 posts
 

Hi Audioman. I'm happy with my Zen as well, although I can't help wondering if the ZENith wouldn't have been an even better option. I kind of wish I had auditioned them both.

iseland's avatar
iseland
136 posts
 

Whatever you do , don't try the zenith ng because after that you don't want anything else...

I'm trying to forget the experience and just keep on enjoying my pulsar..

phaelon OP
1,052 posts
 

Swell!

tump350
86 posts
 

I started with the Zen but fairly quickly moved to the Zenith MK3.  Much better sound to me and no external lps required.  Originally, I chose Innuous becase of its quality ripping ability and ripped my entire collection.  But, found, as others have said, that I rarely listen to my ripped CDs -- only when the internet is out or is not available on Qobuz.  Hi res Qobuz  through Roon to my Meitner MA3 sounds much fuller. more detailed and realistic than my ripped CDs.  Since I use RJ45 network cable for all digital connections (Supra from Router to Zenith and Veritas from Zenith to MA3) no other boxes, ddc, clock or ether regen is needed.  I had all of these tweaks and some and have found that I prefer the sound without them.  Doubtless that is because the digital components have these tweaks built into them with higher quality parts and design.  Also, I carefully routed the line from Router directly to the Zenith; the Router is fed by an optical line (Fios) and is powered by a custom LPS.  All digital components use quality Zavfino PCs into a dedicated electrical line. I learned here on AG that SQ in the digital realm is in the details related to keeping the ethernet signal and AC delivery as free from sonic interference as possible.

phaelon OP
1,052 posts
 

Thank you, Tump. While I am enjoying the ZEN, which is an overall improvement over my CDP, those attributes that you ascribed to the ZENith, are pretty much the same areas where I feel that there is improvement to be had.

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