Streamer, no DAC please?

Another recommendation for the Innuos Pulse series

Any Aurender

Great sound, service and App. Also build quality is top notch. 

I agree with yyzsantabarbara. The Lumin U2 is an excellent choice. especially with its upsampling capabilities. I wish it were in Op's price range.

I have Lumin U2 running into a Tambaqui dac and i am very happy with my digital setup, i now have to upgrade analog side of system as its fallem behind the digital to my ears .

Recommended - The INFIGO AUDIO S-1 Streamer.  

A $5,000 SRP Infigo Audio IS-1 Signature streamer replaced my MAC Book Pro dedicated for music streaming only.   Both streamers have Audirvana Studio music player installed.  Audirvana Remote is installed on my Apple iPad.  

Audirvana Studio enhances audio quality on computers by optimizing the operating system for audio playback and disabling non-essential services. It functions as a third-party player, scanning local music libraries and integrating streaming services like Tidal and Qobuz, but not Spotify or Apple Music.  Audirvana offers both subscription and lifetime license models. 

My Ethernet source drives a netLINK Ethernet Media Converter model HTB-GS-03 with a fiber optic output driving a fiber optic cable to the streamer.  A 5V wall adapter powers the netLINK.  The streamer’s only digital output is USB to the DAC.  Infigo chose USB as the sole output format because done right it provides ultimate performance.  Any other format would increase cost while limiting bit rate, sample rate and ultimate performance.    

Fiber optic isolation in this case improves audioquality by eliminating network noise and jitter. This separation between the ‘dirty’ network and the clean audio chain ensures that RF and EMI interference, as well as high-impedance leakage currents from network devices, do not degrade the audio signal. As a result, digital music reproduction is cleaner, quieter, and more transparent, providing a more natural and lifelike sound experience. 

It also incorporates ultra-low jitter re-clocking of network audio packets, reducing the need for specialized network equipment. The device supports multiple modes of operation, including Audirvana, uPnP, Roon, and HQPlayer, making it compatible with most music players.  

IS-1 employs Intel’s best Quad Core CPU with one core fully dedicated to music processing. This music core runs at a moderately high fixed rate while the other 3 cores vary in speed depending on needs.  Intel primarily designed this as a state-of-the-art CPU with maximum speed and power for mobile devices. Infigochose this CPU for its speed, power and low-current draw, allowing the use of a mandatory linear power supply to meet performance goals.

Onboard IS-1 is a toroidal transformer and 100W linear power supply, about 5x the maximum required for immense power supply headroom.  Infigo includes a built-in local webpage (http://infigostreamer.local) for easy control and customization, with dimmable front-panel LED with full-off option. 

see link for more info on the INFIGO IS-1Streamer

FYI: Other operation modes are ‘uPnP’ endpoint, which will present the streamer as an endpoint in the network that can be reached via all music software that can play to a uPnP endpoint.  The streamer can also operate as a Roon endpoint; you will need another computer in the network to run the Roon core software, which can then play to the streamer as endpoint.  For those that use Roon with HQPlayer for better sound quality, the streamer can operate as an HQPlayer Network AudioAdapter.

This “Signature” version is the base model $5,000; the “Cryogen” version is $7,000.  Both versions offer the same audio and musical performance with extra features on the Cryogen version.

The Infigo Audio IS-1 streamer has substantially improved my sound quality.   I immediately noticed my system sounds much better.   The music is clearer, bass is more powerful, and imaging has improved.  My Signature model lists for $5,000 and the Cryogen model lists for $7,000.  

The INFIGO IS-1 Streamer is highly recommended.