Another post about a streamer upgrade

Does anyone have a “sense” on what’s the better app for liner notes and for searching classical music ? Conductor or Sense ? I listen to a lot of styles of music but spend a good bit of time with chamber music and jazz.

Currently I only use Qobuz but as I mentioned the JPLAY portal does a pretty decent job of distilling whatever info it has available to it.

Id like to be able to search by composer as well as performer and also focus down to particular record labels .. and seeing the personnel on a particular recording date is always welcome.  

There’s a N150 being offered where I live so I could avoid shipping… looks like it may not have been babied but … then again, neither have I  

“I think the purpose built environment of Innuos or Aurender is a better move ”

@j_andrews 

Unequivocally, Yes! 

Thanks for all the suggestions 

there actually aren’t a lot of pulse minis second hand … I think they get snatched up pretty quickly.  There was a Pulse (non mini) for sale on one of the sites recently at a great price but it went fast. 
I’m now considering an N150 or a Pulse Mini unless I see something used from higher up the line.

but with a budget of less than $2k, it’s going to be tricky. 
I haven't really considered the Eversolo … perhaps I should 

I’m not a fan of huge screens and again, the app is of critical importance to me.

I’m also considering the Cambridge but I think the purpose built environment of Innuos or Aurender is a better move 

I suspect that there should be quite a few used Innuoss  pulse mini available Because if you were impressed as I was, you saved up and just got the PULSE and traded in the mini. 

Hello If using the pulse mini, for sure upgrade to get the linear power supply 

a no brainer sounds much better still and use good quality after market power cords .  Thungs left out but essential , most router- modem combos are 12 v just look on them or bottom or router , the wall wart is Horribly noisy 

on Audiogon  Linear Tube Audio - exceptional LPS power supply $50 off $700 use a decent power cord ,the $200 Pangea sig mk2 awg14 is a excellent low cost power cord ,I even use the synergistic purple fuse 20 mm 5 amp ,slow blow fuse 

all these little things add up. Wall warts for any gear is an Audio sin they are noise and grunge .

is a great upgrade , I even upgraded the router modem combo to a Motorola 8702 

that has docsis 3.1meaning much faster processor, and much bigger buffer 

it works great, even streaming WiFi with TV better picture, and is 12v  around 4 amps , the LTA  LPS goes up to 8 amp , and can be ordered up to 19 v.

Cambridge Audio CXN 60 fits your budget and should be an upgrade.  It is great with Internet Radio and Chromecast/AirPlay.

@2psyop 

IMO the two most important factors in sound quality with regard to streaming has been the quality of the external DAC I have used and the quality of the original recording being streamed. 

This strikes me as correct. Many people tout expensive streamers but what is really driving that? In other words, I'd like to know if those who advocate for more expensive streamers (such as @ghdprentice ) did careful streamer vs. streamer tests so that they were certain that the differences they heard were due to the streamer alone and not, e.g., to other factors such as the ones mentioned by @2psyop. 

I posed this question -- roughly, "Is it the streamer or the DAC that makes the greatest sound quality difference?" -- and some very experienced members such as @jjss49 testified (if I remember correctly) that the streamer does make a difference but that is minimal compared to getting a good DAC. For both streamer and DAC, an external power supply also helps more than the differences delivered by the streamer alone.

Of course, the above is just about sound quality, not about interface, company reliability, etc.

The new node 130 with an external LPS upgrade is quite good for streaming only and well under your budget. The BluOS app is excellent as well. Good luck !

IMO the two most important factors in sound quality with regard to streaming has been the quality of the external DAC I have used and the quality of the original recording being streamed. For instance, I have had Benchmark, Schiit, Pro-Ject, iFi and Denafrips external DACs. I have also tried internal DACs with streamers. I have tried multiple streaming services from Spotify, Apple, Tidal, Qobuz and Pandora. The quality of the recording and quality of the file along with the best DAC has produced the best sound. I have also tried better power supply like Teddy Pardo and others. I have been tempted to jump up to more expensive streamers but the price has been far to high and I don’t want to change them out every 3 years.

Have you considered Eversolo? I have a DMP A6 with LPS upgrade running into ARCAM 850 and out to Wharfedale Linton Heritage Anniversary speakers. I tried the Rose RS 250A and found the user interface clunky and counterintuitive, although the sound from the stock DAC was good in my system. The DMP A6 is user friendly and I am able to access the over 5,000 cds and lps  that I have digitized and transferred to its internal hard drive. I know that Eversolo has higher end streamers as well, but the DMP A6 is a good fit for my budget and system.

Both Innuos Pulse and Aurender N150 would complement well with your BP DAC. They both offers well designed streamers with robust app interface, make sure you use wired Ethernet connection from router or modem. 

Bryston BDP-2 with BDP3 sound board over on USA for less than $1K.   The Manic Moose interface certainly spartan but the sound quality is up there. Unit has lots of capabilities as well.  It even control a 3rd party DVD/CD player via USB.

You are right on focussing on the user interface and InnuOS at your price point is the obvious choice

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.

You don't have to jump so far up the Aurender line.  The N150 would be entry point if you are shopping based on cost to an upper level streamer brand.  I think if you shop around, you will find a dealer willing to discount.  I suggest shopping used for streamers that retail in the 2 to 3 range for a step up.  Look at The Music Room or hear on Audiogon for great products in your price range.  Be sure to find an interface that you like.  If you upgrade, please let us know the type of sonic differences you notice, if any.  Thanks.  

Good question. It looks like you have a carefully chosen system. Looks nice as well. 
 

Typically I would immediately say, save up for an Aurrender N200. But I think, given your other equipment the Innuos Pulse Mini would fit right in. So unless you are planning on upgrading your entire system over the next few years, then it sounds like your thinking is pretty sound. I am sure some others will come up, with a couple other choices in that price range.