Another request for Streamer Transport options

Why do you want to connect the streamer to both the STR and AVM 90?  This is a very good streamer at a good price that can also play your saved files, but it only has one USB output. 

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisbf56h-innuos-zen-mk3-music-server-1tb-brand-new-discontinued-model-music-servers-docks

@soix I assumed it was a common feature and because I currently use the STR and am adding the AVM 90 and both have very good DAC’s. I use Home Theater Bypass on the STR stereo preamp and share the FL and FR mains and two subwoofers. It would be nice to use Zone 2 on the 90 for music playback on our whole house system and if I learn to burn multichannel SACD’s and a streamer supports it, I might eventually want to take advantage of it.

I do like a lot about the Innuos Zen MK3 you linked to.

Thanks.

I am convinced that a InnuOs Pulse, through a aes/ebu cable into an Anthem STR Preamplifier, running Qobuz is amazing 🤩. Then again, a really biased opinion. 
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisbf21c-innuos-pulse-network-streamer-1-4-80652-music-servers-docks

The Innuos is a great machine for the money.  Avoid Eversolo, way overhyped and poor support.

+1 for Innuos. If you want it to stream to two different DAC’s, a good option is a DDC. I have a Singxer SU6 coupled with my Innuos Zenith MkIII and it is a nice upgrade in sound.

I'm more of an analog listener than a digital one, but I enjoy streaming both in the moment, and for searching for new and interesting new artists. Using a Small Green Computer SonicTransporter (with a Sonore Optical Rendu) has been an easy, almost never-glitches way to enjoy streaming. You can get a CD ripper included, or not. You can make it fit your budget as they have different models at different price points.. 

I'm looking to possibly upgrade from my Lumin U1 Mini + SBooster, what am I missing from not going up the chain? Any recommendations? 

I like the idea of ripping CDs with a Streamer. I don't have a problem ripping on my PC but it would be convenient.

I use an ASUS BW-16D1X-U External Blu-ray Drive with my PC that connects with USB 3.0 if there are streamers that would work with.

I like the idea that with a good streaming set up, using Qobuz will negate the need to rip cd’s. You would have to have some pretty eclectic taste to not find what you’re looking for on the streaming site. I fortunately never went through a CD phase, yet I read very often that people who have their streaming set up properly very rarely use their CDs. Because the streaming is equal to, if not better. 

Look at the Lumin options. 
I’ve been very leased with mine. 

Also, the PS Audio Airllens looks very intriguing for US$1,500
 

also, choose one or the other file formats - no real need to keep both, and use up your storage space. 
 

Joe much storage do you have?

and is it fully redundant?

I would take a look at the Orchard Audio gear, the PecanPi+ streamer looks like an interesting option and has a nice DAC in it.

https://orchardaudio.com/shop/pecanpi-plus-streamer-premium/

I think the PS Audio Air Lens would be a good choice too if you are planning to use an external DAC.

 

@jwillox I have multiple copies of all important files. I shot professional sports for years as a second job/hobby and still sell archived images and most of those are also in the cloud.

Storage space is not an issue. Synology DS923+ with 48 TB (36 TB with RAID), main PC with 40 TB, secondary PC with 26TB.

I want both file types because I also have aftermarket sound systems in all our cars and some work better with Apple devices with ALAC files and others FLAC files on a USB.

The Lumin does look nice but I would prefer a product that doesn’t come from a Chinese owned company. Thanks.

You don't want Chinese gear, yet you're up to the nostrils in apple stuff...?

@devinplombier Reading is fundamental:

I avoid purchasing from Chinese owned companies if possible while realizing even if a company is US based, my preference, manufacturing could be in China. It seems a number of commonly recommended products are made by Chinese owned companies. I don’t judge others choices; it is just my personal preference.

Reading is indeed important, foggy; thank you for reminding us, lest we forget.

Paraphrasing then, some people are not so worried about Chinese industrialists and government getting rich making the products they themselves buy and own; or by Chinese workers being exploited as long as they’re being exploited by Americans. Unless, of course, I missed something.

@devinplombier

Please leave your political ranting and insults out of my thread. You know nothing about "some people" or their reasons and this is not the forum thread to find out. If you choose to purchase from Chinese owned companies, I'm not judging. If you don't want to purchase from US owned companies, that is your right as well. I'm just looking for a streamer.

I have to give a +1 to the Innuos listed above. I just started on this journey and went in too low with the Innuos Pulse Mini and an aftermarket LPS. First off I’ve emailed with Innuos twice regarding issues and they were extremely helpful and pointed out that I had a DAC issue after they researched my DAC and replied. Their software is more than adequate for my needs, but the mini fell short of my system. You have nice gear and there are  $3k  and $6k thresholds with Innuos. If I were you I’d try to get a demo with the Pulse and the Pulsar. Also FWIT they have new products coming out you might consider. Regards , Mike B.  

I must be the only one who didn't have success with the Innuous Pulse.  Unless you count the full refund I received. Too many dropouts and simply would not play most of the time.  Was it the cache size?  I spent more than a few hours with Innuous chat. I am still looking too.

I like a lot about the Innuos Pulse but when contacting my dealer was told it has been discontinued and replaced with the Streamer1. That explains why there are so many for sale on the "used" and demo market. Apparently Innuos will continue to list them until inventory runs out but they are no longer being made.

The Streamer1 looks nice but I need to understand the options better as they can add a lot of cost.

Seems the unit comes with a USB output but there is also a PhoenixUSB reclocker board. I'm not sure the specification of either. Ideally I would want both a USB to my STR and optical to my AVM 90 but unless the included USB is adequate I don't think you can add both options. The SPDIF board has three outputs I could switch between my two preamps if they are better than the included USB but that isn't the case with most streamers.

• Provide a superior SPDIF Coaxial, Optical and AES outputs for your DAC
• Supports PCM up to 24bit/192KHz

I can add my own internal SSD which is nice and there is an LPS1 and other options that keep adding to the cost.

Here’s a used Pulse in very good condition at a $1200 discount from new, and the seller offers a return policy, which is nice.  Best of luck.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/326682378724

Streamer is just a small computer. Don't waste too much money. There is NO stream between you and the source, Internet does not create special channels for you. Everything is sliced, diced, packet into packages, cached, compressed, comes from multiple sources out of order. Puny ARM in that expensive "audiophile"  thingy is, in fact, worse than an Intel or M4 in your laptop or iPad.

Look into this used Bricasti M3 DAC with network card. You can use it as a roon endpoint. American made. Should be around $3000-$3500. 
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650232822-bricasti-m3-dac-with-network-card/

Honestly with $3,000 budget you are unlikely to do much better if at all  

You should buy a streamer that is at or above the quality level of the other components in your system. Streamers are very important components and require the same consideration and investment as other components. I have used iPhones iPads, Macs, PC, and streamers at the $350 - $22K range. I own a Bluesound, Aurrender N100, and Aurender W20SE ($22K). Purpose built streamers are in a different class than any general purpose device that can stream like PCs and Macs. 

A good quality streamer will deliver stored files and streamed content with exactly the same sonic quality. So, in my systems using my Aurender streamers: CDs, Stored files and streamed files sound of the same material sound exactly alike. I have over 48TB in a Synology NAS... and 30tb more on a Drobo NAS. I use none of them (except my Aurender discovered them and I allowed them to download a copy of all my music from the NAS). So if for some reason the internet is down, I can play music from local storage. That never happens any more. Just a trickle of wifi and they work flawlessly. 

With greatly increased reliability streamers less and less are they used as storage devices. For $14 / month you get access to over a million albums and over half a million in high resolution (higher than Red Book CD) on Qobuz. The rational to buy a really good streamer and put stored music gathering dust is no longer compelling. 

I have gotten rid of all my CDs and never play my stored files... or vinyl albums for that mater. 

I would look into a used  Aurender Streamer (you can use a wifi range extender near your system to avoid cabling), Aurlic G 2.2 (I had a 2.1... get a 2.2, much better sound quality) should be good. Lots of folks like Lumin. One of the real benefits to Aurender is the control app... Conductor. It resides on you iPad or phone and catalogs all the music you have and from say Qobuz and allows you to search, play, create playlists. Conductor is very highly regarded and is worth consideration. I have friends with other streamers like Linn and others and the control app is their weakness making them awkward to use. 

We recomend Roon Ready streamers like the miniDSP SHD

The SHD combines high-definition streaming, Dirac Live processing and digital multi-channel crossovers and filtering. Key features include:

• Dirac Live®, full version with perpetual license
• Roon Ready certification
• Active crossovers for subwoofers
• Powerful DSP processor with intuitive room tuning capability
• Volumio high-performance network streaming

Deer Creek Audio is an authorized miniDSP dealer

I agree that the Innuos ZEN MK3 streamer/ripper is a terrific option - a good quality unit purchased used will be well under $3K. Typically, you would connect it to a good DAC and then from there you could go to your desired targets (the  Anthem STR preamp and the  Anthem AVM 90 AV preamp/processor). But since you want to use the built-in DACs for those units, the conundrum is how to route a signal to both of them when most units have but one output. Also, those with more than one output seem to want you to use but one at a time. Good luck!

@deer_creek_audio My Anthems already do everything I want except streaming but thanks.

@timothy468 I like the discontinued Pulse for the multiple outputs since I only need to use one at a time and can switch with the app. The Stream1 is even better since I can add my own internal SSD and use my external Blu-ray drive to burn CDs if I want. The optional module's add up though. Thank you. 

Here’s another potential option — buy this Zen Mk3 and Singxer DDC that’ll give you multiple outputs and further clean up the USB signal, reclock, galvanic isolation.  Tough to beat this for the $$$ I’d think.

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisbf56h-innuos-zen-mk3-music-server-1tb-brand-new-discontinued-model-music-servers-docks

https://www.amazon.com/Singxer-Digital-Interface-XU208-Femtosecond/dp/B07KYJT3PB

If I was consider the Innuos Stream1 to connect to my Anthem STR, how important is adding the LPS1?

Next, how important is adding the PhoenixUSB module? Can my STR make use of it?

PhoenixUSB Board

• Regenerated and Reclocked USB signal to your Class 2 USB DAC, greatly increasing sound quality 
• High-precision 3ppb 24MHz OCXO clock for greatly improved timing and signal integrity 
• Ultra-low noise LT3045 linear regulators for each independent voltage, no switching regulators on main USB chip
• Provides a pristine 5V line for the USB connection on your DAC

"STR Preamplifier includes a high-resolution preamplifier and a digital section, with support for asynchronous USB up to 32-bit/384 kHz PCM and DSD 2.8/5.6 MHz sources."

Thanks

Not sure of the "correct" answer to your question. I use the LHY Audio LPS25VA as a cleaner supply than the wall wart to a Laiv micro-DDC and that really "cleans up" the sound from my Innuos Zen Mk3 to my Laiv DAC. My Streamer is connected to a TaiHang power conditioner. Might be snake oil but it does sound rather good to me.

Tim

@gkelly Thanks for the input. Curious why you use the AES/EBU input instead of USB when USB on both the Pulse and the STR has better specifications?

I have corresponded with Innuos and am leaning towards the new Stream1 and Innuos suggests USB as their preferred output to my STR preamp.

They also suggest that to match the Pulse performance, I should add the LPS1 and to surpass it, the PhoenixUSB board. Those options add up fast but I can swing it if a benefit is really there. 

Thanks again.

it was the cable that the dealer sold me when purchased the unit. Now you have me wondering, lol. my problem is is I don’t have a USB cable to compare. The other is I believe is that I only listen to Qobuz So higher resolution is not necessary?I previously had the Pulse mini with the zen lps, Started with just the mini and then later added the lps. Definitely notice difference. Can you install the Phoenix USB at a later date? Only asking as others have mentioned that streaming is equal to that you would have no use for it. Just questions to ask your dealer anyways enjoy it. Sounds like you’re on a good path. Though I am bummed to hear that they are discontinuing this line I wouldn’t hesitate to jump on one if you found it as a good bargain. 

I currently use the STR and am adding the AVM 90 and both have very good DAC’s. 

Are you sure? Have you compared their DAC with any other well regarded DAC? I am not trying to cut down Anthem in any way, I just don’t recall reading anything anywhere, regarding their DAC’s in comparison to any other. 

How about Swiss made? https://www.wattson.audio/madison-streamer

I believe I read these guys consulted on the digital for CH Precision’s digital equipment, so they really know what they are doing. Retail is about $3500US, but I would wager using their DAC in the streamer would render the Anthem’s redundant. 

"In my system, the Madison LE streamer-DAC delivered a level of vibrance and vital clarity I had not previously encountered for under five figures. My highest recommendation." -stereophile

I was about to mention the Wattson Madison as well.  I plan to audition one soon.  I’ve been very happy with my Lumin U1 Mini which I believe is a Hong Kong product.

Like you, I prefer to avoid Chinese products when possible.

Good luck with your search!

@mclinnguy Bypassing the STR's DAC defeats the purpose of the STR for me. I lose ARC and especially bass management. I can bypass the STR DAC if I choose but in my multi-purpose room with stand speakers and dual subwoofers, I prefer not to. The STR DAC's have received high praise and I have been happy with it. I'm likely going with a USB connection and no longer attempting to also connect a streamer to the AVM 90. Thank you.

How about Swiss made? https://www.wattson.audio/madison-streamer

I believe I read these guys consulted on the digital for CH Precision’s digital equipment, so they really know what they are doing.

Wattson and CH are the same company.