Streamer Recommendations

Very soon the Bluesound Node Icon will be available. The software and dedicated customer service is really top notch. It is a balanced dual channel, dual DAC design and they have added a touchscreen for those who want it. It would be a great addition to an already established hi-fi system. I have a Vault, Node, Node2 and Node X. They have all performed far above my expectations. IMHO

@brbrock take a quick read on this thread https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/why-i-sold-my-aurender-n200

I'd suggest a dac with built-in streamer. Doesn't have to be a Bricasti there are many great combo units too choose. I'm sure some of the ones ghdprentice has noted are excellent but most are out of the average audiophiles budget. (Including mine)

I just bought an iFi Stream to use with Audirvana, a Bricasti DAC, and USB input. Works and sounds great. Fired-up first time when I pressed the on button, but I did watch setup videos.

@rsf507 there are too many variables to come to this conclusion. You can see my responses in that thread. So I wouldn’t run to dump dedicated streamers in favor of the inbuilt network renderer in DACs. Quick A/B, not being able to hear the difference, using Roon as a source I wouldn’t be able to tell the difference either.
Room sound quality is inferior to most native apps n higher end streamers including Lumin. It’s just that the Lumin app is so user unfriendly that you would opt for Roon simply for the sake of not being aggravated. But let’s not pop the cork yet. Careful listening proves a dedicated streamer is almost always a better option at least to my ears.

To add, Roon is absolutely amazing to use as it has the best UI available today. But I can’t say the same for its sound quality. Do Roon right with Grimm, Merging, etc and you’ll be in better shape but now we’re taking $15,000 - $30,000. 

I have tried Bluesound, Aurrender, and Innuos.

I ended with Innuos due to it being able to use Roon. I felt the Aurrender is a bit limited with what streaming apps you can use.

Though, sound wise, I think the Aurrender and Innuos are pretty close. Esp. in their lower end models.

Bob