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

Greg, received your PM about the Metronome DSS. Can't reply as Audiogon requires my bank details, which I won't give them. The DSS1 is a fabulous streamer, very analogue sound.

@stievus Thank you very much for the reply. As I said I am very temped to get either the LeStreamer or the DSS1. Do you need to connect a server/PC to the Metronome in order to stream Qobuz/ Tidal? How do you control the Metronome? Also have you compared it to anything else in similar price range?

 

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I’d think an Innuos Zen/Zenith paired with a Denafrips Hermes could be sublime.  Great sound quality, OCXO clock,  and, importantly, you get Innuos’ outstanding Sense app.  Just my $0.02 FWIW.