Favorite mid-tier streamer

USB input or outpu

Does RP stand for Radio Paradise or Radio Putz?

How much weighting to the remote app?

I would never tout any hardware without one.

I really like my Melco N100 but technically it’s a NAS/streamer.  You can add services through the mConnect app 

Innuos has a nice range of streamers , perrotta consultants Anthony gives good service and pricing.

+1 Innuos. 

I never thought I'd say this, but the Eversolo is amazing. (Any of them)

I have a Node N130 running to a Denafrips Pontus ll and it sounds great!  I then upgraded the LPS and it sounds even better.

I paid $400 for the Node and $3xx for the Teddy Pardo LPS.  So it’s well within your budget.

All the best.

+1 Eversolo. their bottom model even has balanced pre-out (I know you said don't need a DAC, but take it in context- how many devices consider balance below $3000).  I had always been a "why shouldn't a dedicated windows laptop with PS Audio USB driver , i7, 16GB RAM, SSD on battery be as good a source as a streamer?".  My closeout priced Martin Logan Unison didn't change my mind.  plus, streamers come with crappy interfaces compared to the windows/MAC interfaces from Qobuz, spotify, etc.

Then tried the DMP-A6 for a 30-day trial.  The laptop is relegated to youtube only...

If you are going to use USB to your DAC (typically better option that toslink or coax since your superior DAC will use its clock), then all you need is the DMP-A6 for less than $800. 

Perhaps $2K and up can make a marginal improvement.  I just experienced such a significant jump in SQ that I will be saving toward my amplifier upgrade. coda no8?  pass? moon?

my  current system is sufficiently resolving to appreciate the eversolo
ML ESL-X, PS A DS Jr,  AudioGD Vac HE1MK3, Rotel 1080RB

Lot's to choose from new or used but will you ever or do you use Roon? Maybe get one that will work with Roon to future proof (Most do).

Many inexpensive and expensive streamers benefit from an upgraded PSU.  

Innuos Pulse Mini with aftermarket LPS.  

Another vote for Eversolo. I thought it would be a compromise with all those features I didn't need or wouldn't use. After trying an A6 and later an A8 as transport only, I am sold on the brand. Even if I don't use most of the features. 

Innuos is solid as well though, give them a look too. 

I would recommend checking out the Node Icon before spending big on Eversolo.  Their support is weak compared to Bluesound,  Innuos, Aurender.  Each firmware shows how poor they are at Beta testing.  End user is their Beta. I thought Eversolo was "amazing" too until it's USB out stopped recognizing DAC immediately after update..   Been waiting since June for a fix.  That's unacceptable. 

At the top of your range , innuos  

Most streamers between $1k and $3k will have a built in DAC 

Aurender N150 has USB and is a Streamer only.    

You’ve got a ton of options.  Aurender, Auralic, Bluesound, Cambridge, Eversolo, HiFiRose, Innuos, Niam, Lumin, WiiM.  
 

I’ve had Bluesound, Auralic and Lumin Streamers in my system.  
 

Several things to consider, don’t want to use or do you use Roon, if you do, you want a Roon Ready streamer.  If you do use Roon, makes the operating system / app of the streamer less important but, a big part of your enjoyment will be how you interface with the streamer, the App is critical.  If you use Tidal or Qobuz, a streamer having compatibility on a direct basis is also a major plus.  Choosing a brand that has continuous updates to their software (operating App) is also key, along with a track record of doing so. 
 

If you are looking for a stand alone streamer that can perform admirable without holding a good set up back, Aurender, Auralic, Innuos and Lumin would be my choices.  Likely the best bang for the buck is a Lumin U2 mini with an external power supply upgrade.  I’d say overall Aurender is the top streaming brand.  All these brands are focused on streamers and DAC’s, they all have put considerable time into their operating systems (apps) that control the streamers.  All have a proven track record of supporting their products and models.  
 

HiFiRose is a newer kid to the block but makes great products, is focused on streaming and if you stretched your budget has one of the best streamers, bang for the buck on the 150b.  
 

Eversolo dollar for dollar has an insane value proposition for what’s offered but if you strip things down to a streamer only, likely isn’t besting the more established brands in the Audiophile space. 
 

Cambridge makes a some compelling streamer / DAC combos and uses the most tried and true app (Bluesound), they’ve got models that fall into your price range as well. 
 

If you plan to keep your DAC and Streamer separate, I would buy a standalone streamer, as your upgrade DAC’s, if you have a all in one unit, likely end up upgrading it, if you spend a lot of $$ on an all in one, like a Lumin X1, you aren’t likely to want to then use the X1 for just streaming, you could but money would have been better spent on a separate Streamer / DAC.

Good Luck! 

Lots option list above. But still wanna say, if you will use roon, check out roon nucleus one, 500 usd is hard to beat. Otherwise eversolo is a good choice, if yoi don't need the dac inside, just bypass it. And turn it on  one day you need it

I agree with oddiofyl.

Another to add, only because it is the one I use every day: A Sonore Optical Rendu, which is fed by a Small Green Computer i5 Sonic Transporter. I find the whole thing pretty effortless to set up and use (and I am a technological moron). Played through my Ayre QB-9 Twenty DAC, I am relaxed and engaged while streaming music. I use Roon through my iPad, and the whole user interface thing is easy and intuitive (I know, that's the Roon part, not the Sonore). 

You can do it under your budget...

Eversolo has all the top components in it.the just came out with version 10 3.5k.read the reviews on a8 version.another bang for the buck

The Aurender A1000 is a much better value than anything Eversolo will ever produce.   Ever pick up an Aurender?   They are built like tanks.   

Anyone spending $3700 on an Eversolo has really fallen for the hype.   Wait until their hack FW has left you without USB or dropouts with Tidal.  Forget about reviews , go to Zidoo website and see all of the problems they are having.  Good luck.

Sonore Optical Rendu or Ultra Rendu.

The sound quality of the PS Audio Air Lens is great. No idea what RP is. Though Air Lens does not have a software like Sense or Roon, so you use for instance Tidal Connect or a separate device housing Roon.

I had a similar bad experience with Eversolo and saw the same comments online.  I have had a good experience with The Bluesound Node N130.  The app works well with Qobuz.  Moving to an Innuos Zen MK3 for even better sound and a CD ripper with storage since both the Eversolo AMP 6 and 8 wouldn’t stay connected.  

Enjoy the Innuos.   They are a safe bet . Buy a streamer from a company that cares about the end user, not volume sold.  

Eversolo is a real POS outfit.  They don't care if 5% of their A6 A8  users have problems , they are releasing a $3700 streamer that will include all the same bugs.   What a POS company.  

Geshelli Labs Dayzee.

Magna HiFi,  Mano ultra MKIII with separate Farad power supply…just glorious…

‘from the Netherlands…

Same boat.Still looking.  I read good things here on AGon about the INFIGO but it blows the OP's budget.

I don't need Roon.  I stream Qobuz almost exclusively with some Amazon HD for tracks NA on Qobuz.

some contenders I've used with great results

node with external power supply

forthcoming node icon (guessing on this one however they offer 30 day returns and I would get an aftermarket figure 8 power cord)

Holo Audio Red

Lumin u2 mini

Lumin u2 mini with power supply

Lumin u2

Auralic altair 2,1

macbook

Pro-ject Stream Box S2 Ultra sounds pretty good. I haven't heard too many other streamers, but it didn't sound any different than a Naim NDX 2. Pro-ject + a Denafrips Pontus II DAC sounded better than a dCS Bartok network player.

I’m on the fence as between the Hifi rose rs150B and the aurender A1000, anyone with experience comparing the two. My system contains Martin Logan classic 9’s and a sanders magtech amp, my NAD C658 preamp will be upgraded next….