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Another post about a streamer upgrade

Hello

I’ve read a lot of the threads here about streamers and moving up the chain.

However, it seems there’s not a ton of info for relatively modestly priced streamers … most threads focus on the Bluesound / Ifi Zen range or the Aurender N200 range.

I have an Ifi Zen Stream with an LPS fronted by an Ether Regen and would like to move on to something better… mainly from a usability and app standpoint but would like to spend significantly less than $2k.

I think the writing is on the wall with the Innuos Pulse Mini but curious if others have a suggestion that would be a sq improvement from the Ifi and a much better user experience for around $1500 give or take.

I currently use the JPLAY app to access Qobuz to stream DLNA to the Ifi but it’s frustrating and connectivity isn’t great. 
 

I don’t use Roon so the Sense app from Innuos is probably the best bet from what I gather.   I’d also be interested in the Aurender system but according to many the N200 is where to start there and that’s significant higher priced than where I want to go at this point.

Are there any other options with great usability and sound that I’m not thinking of.

I typically run Spdif coax out to my dacs but could also run usb.

thanks in advance 

j_andrews

Showing 2 responses by lanx0003

lanx0003
675 posts
 

Definitely upgrade to something better if you are willing to invest. There are several highly praised products in the similar price range to IP mini, such as Volumio Primo / Rivo with built-in upsampling and EQ and a used Rose RS250A. The Ifi ZS has been reliable for me in the past. I’ve used MConnect for Quboz with minimal issues. However, I agree with your point about the app’s flow, which can be somewhat annoying at times.

lanx0003
675 posts
 

Try to compare the Innous Pulse mini with Ifi zs to justify the statement below.  Please report back on what you found.  I would say, in general, more expensive streamers have better power supply, circuit design and parts / components and therefore would sound better.  However, it's essential to note that the improvements in sound quality might not always justify the price difference. There reaches a point where spending more money may yield only marginal or imperceptible improvements in audio quality, hence the concept of diminishing returns.

I also don’t believe the people on this board who’ve listened to a lot of digi gear are all convincing themselves that a more expensive piece sounds better than a cheap one … so seeking some collective wisdom is one part of my gathering information.

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