Another Streamer Recommendation Question


Hi Folks -

I know there have been a lot of threads talking about various streamer options, and I've gotten a lot of useful information from them. I didn't want to derail those threads with my own questions, so I thought I'd start with my own post.

I am considering a change to my streamer configuration and would like some opinions/recommendations. 

I bought a Denafrips Terminator which arrived a couple of weeks ago and have noticed it has occasional glitches when I feed it upsampled or hi-res content over AES/EBU from my Bryston BDP-2 streamer (with upgraded audio card). I think this is because the DAC uses a FIFO buffer and reclocks the data internally. Since the streamer clock and DAC clock are not locked, eventually the DAC's internal FIFO will run out of data or overflow causing a hiccup. It doesn't happen often (maybe once or twice a day that I've noticed), but I'm thinking that switching to a USB-capable streamer may make sense. 

I'm running Roon on a NUC (ROCK) in a fanless case (standard SMPS), feeding the Bryston over ethernet. I'd like to explore options that would be at least comparable in audio quality (ideally a step up) with minimal investment. I could justify up to $2500 since I'd be able to sell my Bryston for $800 or so to cover some of the expense, but I'd prefer a less expensive solution.

Options I'm considering:

Get a good LPS for the NUC and a decent USB cable and connect directly to the DAC. If I go this route - recommendations for LPS and cable? Would a $150 ebay LPS and AQ Coffee USB cable be reasonable? Or are these cheap supplies ( https://www.ebay.com/itm/Finished-100VA-Ultra-Low-Noise-linear-Power-supply-ouptut-9v-12v-19v-24v-etc/221884083511 ) not worth it. 

Add a SOTM tx-USBultra with SPS-500 LPS to the above option (+ $1600 new, maybe $1000 used). Plus a second USB cable.

Add a SOTM SMS-200 Ultra to the above (another $1200 new), or without the tx-USBultra. 

I've seen these three SOTM devices together for sale used for around $1800. 

Other streamers such as Lumin U1 Mini, Innuos Zenith. (maybe under $2K used, plus I'd still need a good USB cable).

I'd appreciate your thoughts on the above plus other recommendations. If you can give me an idea of cost, that would be most helpful. 
jaytor

Showing 1 response by jazzman7

Hello jaytor!
In my main rig I’m currently using Roon Nucleus as my principal source, connected by USB to a Chord Qutest. I’m using a Curious USB Cable which goes for $350. I’ve been running with this configuration since November. I just upgraded the Power Supply to a 19 Volt Sbooster LPS this past weekend. Preliminary results are very positive, but I’m still very much breaking in the Sbooster, have not quite a hundred hours on it at this point. The 19 Volt Sbooster goes for $399. Whether that can match the SQ of the Bryston BDP-2, that is another question. But before doing anything else, my personal recommendation would be to first give the folks at Bryston a call and get their take on what you are currently experiencing.