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  3. 186759-117322

Antipodes from the Antipodes

Over the past few years I've gone through a number of streamers, Cambridge CXN2, Elac, Auralic Aries, ifi Zen and latterly Aurender N150, primarily in search of a decent app. My search was unsuccessful and I've never really thought streamers make a huge difference to SQ, although the Aurender was noticeably better than the rest. I've resisted the lure of Roon for years but succumbed to the free trial and am now a believer but it meant I had to buy a Roon compatible streamer. Enter Antipodes as I got a used Antipodes DX2 for a reasonable price and guess what I was wrong streamers can make a difference. Although the DX2 is no longer the flagship model and is 4-5 years old the sound was out of this world, in a different league to the Aurender in all respects - soundstage, clarity bass etc. As their current flagship model costs over A$35000 I am never likely to find out how good it is but it must be really something. This is not the first time the small nation of New Zealand have produced world class audio products. Remember those huge Perreaux power amps? NZ is not just about Rugby but GO the All Blacks anyway.

128x128mazian

Showing 1 response by akg_ca

akg_ca's avatar
akg_ca
2,178 posts
 

Yep ….. the streamer / DAC digital interface ability to perform as easy, intuitive, and complete is the wild card that will distill the contenders from the pretenders. I found out the hard way….not my finest moment in this hobby.

I initially bought a superior build audio performer duo with a BRYSTON stack (network player & stablemate DAC) based on its top build and audio testimonials;

But only to find out that it’s 10+ year old proprietary, clumsy, & grossly outdated frustrating digital interface sucked big time in the extreme. . It adversely affected my audio enjoyment and created a major frustration and disappointment to change .

It paved my upgrade to a new high-end unit from MOON by SIMAUDIO with a 10 year warranty whose audio performance and MIND2 app/ digital interface are both class leading.

Add to it, the MOON 10 year warranty and a best-of-breed new unit MOON trade-in upgrade pathway (100% of your purchase price within year 1, & 75% of your purchase price within year 2) …and it was an EZ upgrade step-up in spades.

TAKEAWAY

The app is a key driver in distilling down your streamer options of choice … choose wisely before you dive into an unknown app deep end … full stop.

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