DCS Network Bridge? Aqua LinQ Streamer?

I own an Aqua Formula and a LinQ. The I2S output does sound better than the USB, not leaps and bounds better but it is noticeable. The LinQ IMO is ruthlessly revealing. On well recorded tracks it's amazing on not so good recordings or with sub - par gear it will let you know. YMMV

Late reply but for what it's worth - I have heard the TotalDAC D1-Twelve many times and it is a stellar DAC. At the time I first purchased a Aqua Formula the TotalDAC was clearly better (more robust sound with further detail, more effortless). However I have had the Formula upgraded 2x with the analog PSU + digital upgrade + I purchased the LinQ along with the HQP module and I would surmise that it's significantly closer now. I haven't heard the TotalDAC twelve in a while due to COVID but my gut makes me think (especially when I get the latest HQplayer Core module for the Linq) that it will be more about preference than which is best. Net is - the Formula + LinQ are a better bang for your $ IMO.

As an added LinQ data point I recently picked up an Innuos Statement thinking it could replace my DIY music PC + the LinQ. Going into the eval I already knew that my combo was quite good having recently heard the Aurender W20 and the TotalDAC Twelve full stack in two stellar systems and mine certainly held its own. The result was that the LinQ was more transparent with more realistic instrument tone, better spacial due definition (less amorphous if that makes sense) and better dynamics. The only benefit if it suits your fancy was that the Statement had a bit more body but I found it less realistic. I also tried replacing my Music PC with the Statement via ethernet and the Statement sound was worse. The Statement is best via USB and so - so via streaming ethernet IMO. Since that compare I upgraded my JCAT femto NIC to the XE and employed additional optimizations (less processes running) and I'd surmise it would now be absolutely no contest. Keep in mind my combo is about $11K (music PC = $5k, LinQ = $6K) and the Statement is >=$15K so IME the LinQ is a bargain and the best streamer I've heard to date. YMMV.

I do still have the LinQ and the Formula. I redid my music server with the latest Intel chipset, M.2 SSDs, lines with copper sheets / copper weights and 3M EMI / RFI shielding and there is a not - so - subtle uptick in dimension and tonal accuracy especially with acoustic instruments. Another data point - I demo'd the TotalDAC D1- Direct which is the only TotalDAC with R2R direct output other than the D1- Twelve. My demo unit had the built - in streamer card. My existing setup was noticeably better. How much closer or possibly better the TotalDAC is with the external streamer vs. the in - unit streamer I don't know, but it made me hesitate towards considering the TotalDAC twelve. Based on my experience when funds permit, I may pursue MSB. I hope this helps.

@thieliste Yes, you're correct, I did get the TD gear on loan from Vincent and returned it. 

@designsfx WRT the LinQ stand - alone which in my case was employing the HQPlayer core, it sounded excellent and on par with my at the time music server. I was one of the first to try the LinQ core and I ended up returning it because it could not do upsampling via its low powered / low performance processor.  Whether there have been improvements in since, I don't know but again, it was pretty much indistinguishable versus my server at that time in terms of sound quality (excellent IMO).

WRT my PC's role - it acts as an HQPlayer and ROON server. In either situation I output to the LinQ via an HQplayer stream (local files or streaming).  Also, and I think I mentioned previously (apologies if I'm repeating myself) my DIY server outpaced the Innuos statement in this capacity. And my Music PC + LinQ further outpaced the Statement when feeding my DAC. I hope this helps.

 

Hi @designsfx, 

The LinQ is a modular design and there are 2 modules for use with HQPlayer: The HQPlayer NAA module whereby you can feed it a stream using a Music server which acts as the HQPlayer Core or you can install both the HQPlayer NAA module + the HQPlayer core module in the LinQ. With both modules you can stream directly to the LinQ, no music server required. Both sounded pretty much identical. However, as far as I recall, you can't connect external storage not can it access a NAS, so it's for streaming - only and not local or network drive file playback.