Help me pick one of four music servers/streamersreqi
Sorry about the sloppy title; can't edit it, fat fingers.
On a tight budget, but looking to take my digital playback chain up a notch.
Current system is Vortexbox appliance to router via ethernet, wifi to Squeezebox Touch to older modded Beresford DAC (max 96/24) via S/PDIF coax, RCA analog out to preamp. Sounds very good, all things considered, but I know I can do better and modernize. Plus will soon bump up against the 1 TB hard drive capacity in the VB appliance. I use dBPoweramp on a networked laptop to rip CDs, and a network attached Sweetvinyl Sugarcube SC-2 to rip vinyl. I also plan on subscribing to Roon. Since I will not run an ethernet cable from my router, I will be using a powerline extender to provide the ethernet connection. I hope it will be sufficient; it works fine with the Sugarcube. I am not really interested in any resolutions beyond 24/192. I have a Qoboz subscription, and want to add a radio function to it (still can’t believe it doesn’t have one). Roon will do that, I believe.
Here are the top contenders, all under $3000, with some pros and cons. Some of these options will necessitate the purchase of a USB-capable DAC. For that, aside from the $3K max, I am looking at a Schitt Gungnir (opinions on the DAC welcome as well, but the $1300 price is my absolute max). This must be a turnkey solution, as I am at the ink and quill level technologically.
1. Roon Nucleus with 4TB ~$2250
Pros: Well-regarded, Roon core, silent, affordable. Drive is SSD, can output to a USB DAC directly
Cons: No DAC, no internal CD ripper. Not sure if I can rip files to the internal storage drive via my networked laptop.
2. Innuos ZenMini Mk3 with 4TB with LPS power supply ~ $2550
Pros: Internal DAC (not sure of quality), Roon Core, carried by a local, trusted B&M dealer
Cons: Reputation for drop outs and frequent required restarts, internal drive is a less reliable spinning HDD (I have heard the difference a SSD can make for file playback), Gapless playback through analog out?
3. Lumin D2 - no internal drive - $2300
Pros: Good reputation for Sound Quality, Internal DAC, Gapless playback, can use with current backup HDD until I need to move to a larger one.
Cons: No internal hard drive, not sure it is a Roon Core, will have to purchase external SSD for file storage when I get near 1TB.
4. Melco N100-h50 with 5TB internal drive $? 2TB model is $2100, so I assume 5TB still comes in under $3K.
Pros: Good reputation for Sound Quality and easy user interface, can output directly to USB DAC, Roon Core (?)
Cons: May be the most expensive in the group, still requires a USB DAC
Not looking to get flamed here or ignite a flame war, just valid opinions of experienced users. Open to other brands provided they meet my requirements, especially price ceiling. Thanks in advance.
FYI, Lumin units are Roon Ready streamers or Roon Ready streamer DACs, but are not servers, so would require Roon Core to run on a separate music server or installed on a separate computer. I have not heard the D2. I do have an X1, which I like a great deal, but much more expensive than listed products and requires separate storage. Lumin just recently has added P1, which is a streamer DAC with preamp capabilities. It too is more expensive than your listings, but less than X1, and would still require separate storage. The D2 uses Wolfson DAC chips, while T2 and P1 use newer SABRE Pro 9028 chips and X1 9038 Pro chips. Sound signature is different on the Wolfson vs SABRE.
I now use Antipodes as server. Prior to the Antipodes, I used a Small Green Computer server, in my case an i5 CDR, which has an internal hard drive and ripper hardware. It appears that is now superseded by an i7 CDR with choices of various size SSD internal drives. Other options and packages with streamer are available, including pull out trays for installing your own SSD. I was pleased with Small Green Computer. I do believe SMG has a 30-day return policy on new purchase items.
I do not have experience with your other potential choices, but many happy owners of the other items.
I suggest keeping the server/player separate from the DAC. This will allow for greater flexibility in upgrade paths and support on the server/player side (driven by the manufacturer).
It also allows you to move to something else should your needs or the market move in another direction. This applies especially to the server/player (and to a lesser degree to the DAC).
I use the Small Green Computer i7 unit. It has been well supported and has worked flawlessly. And, as @tvad mentioned, it allows for more flexibility in software choice/approach.
For server/player options, in addition to those you listed and members have mentioned, consider entry level Wolf Audio, 432 Evo servers as well.
@ everyone above... Thanks! I should have put the SGC package on the list. I originally started out with a VB appliance from SGC in 2011, and was pleased, although I did have a HD failure about 4 years in (thank goodness for backups!). I would probably go with their package of the i5, Ultra Rendu and linear power supply, continuing to rip via my laptop (which I did even though the VB appliance had an optical drive). With a 4TB SSD, it is selling now for $2514. Of course, it will require a USB DAC. It does seem, though, that you cannot skip the network if the i5 and Rendu are next to each other in the rack. It seems I would still have to go through ethernet. That means I will need an ethernet switch to expand my 2-port ethernet powerline extension adapter. Added expense, especially if I want a high quality switch.
Mine has an internal 2TB SSD. I just connect a $25 external CD ripping drive to the SGC, to rip CDs straight to the sonic with the ripping software that comes with the SGC. Works great.
I have it across the room from my audio rack/stack, next to the modem and ethernet switch where it’s hooked to the network. I run CAT6 from the switch under the rug to my rack, where it feeds a Microrendu (I may upgrade that to an Ultra), which feeds my DAC. I use SGC’s power supply.
I considered many options, including the ones you cite and a few more. For me, the SGC offered the best value for the excellent sound quality. FWIW.
I recently picked up a pre-owned Roon Nucleus. I wanted to put my Aqua La Voce S3 DAC in my main system and try out Roon.
I am very happy with ease of use with the Nucleus and sound quality is excellent. Maybe better than my analog rig.
The Nucleus was great for me because I can use the La Voce with Roon, even though it's not Roon certified. I have two other streamers (TEAC NT-505) that are Roon certified and can use them all from the same Roon interface.
I already have my digital library available on my network, which I can also access with Roon, so the hard drive in the Nucleus didn't matter to me. My Nucleus only has .5 TB, which I'll probably never use.
@bondmanp There is a used Wolf Audio Alpha 2 listed for 2.8/3.0K Not sure if it meets all of your requirements.
I’m assuming 3K is your budget for the server/player.
If storage is an issue, go with a unit that allows you to add on as needed (for example, Antipodes) OR external storage, OR card / usb drive based storage.
If you want to avoid adding a switch, choose a unit (network player or DAC) that offers a wireless receiver OR go with a bridged Ethernet server.
No help from me.I don’t like any of them. Get the best sounding DAC to your tastes and the features you desire. I'm not interested in subscribing to something I can do myself and of which SOME claim inferior SQ.
@fuzztone... I agree with you on the DAC. Please explain what you mean by "something you can do yourself". Do you mean assembling your own computer based music server? Or simply spinning CDs? I am curious. I know some find music library management software to sound inferior to physical media. In some cases, I am sure it's true. But that hasn't been my experience, and I love the convenience.
FYI, I lack the time and the knowledge required for a DIY server solution. And after 10 years of having my music at my fingertips, I can't imagine going back to hunting through my CDs to find something I want to hear.
@bondmanp, currently I use the Innuos Zenith MK.3 with an uptone audio ether regen. I love the Zenith and it sounds fantastic I started with the Innuos Zen Mini and LPS.. Those components were very good also and far superior to my prior CD set up. Best of luck and enjoy!
The Zenith 3. It has 3 separate LPSs built inside already. I found the the Phoenix reclocker offered little to no sonic improvement with my Mojo Audio Evo dac.
I have the Melco N100 with the 2TB HD. I love it. I bought mine for much less than what you quoted from a dealer here on Agon (PM me if you want the details) at the outset of the Pandemic. I subsequently added the extra 3TB HD, the E100. My DAC has usb inputs that are the equal of the other digital inputs. The Melco works great with the MConnect App, which also adds Qobuz and Tidal. The few times I had a problem it was solved with a simple reboot. I would also look at the Cambridge Audio streamers. They come with a very good internal DAC.
Right now, I am leaning towards the Small Green Computer package of i5 Transporter, Ultra Rendu and LPS. It is cost effective, Roon core capable, but can run without Roon. SGC's USB to S/PDIF adapter means I can take my time selecting a new DAC. I can easily add my own SSD without opening up the server. And since I currently use a Squeezebox Touch, the learning curve shouldn't be too steep. The kicker was SGC itself recommended a cheap Ethernet switch, so I won't initially have to drop $400+ on a switch. I will keep this thread posted.
Well, SGC's cheap USB to S/PDIF adapter is no longer available. I am not dropping $400 on their remaining adapter just to keep using my old DAC. The Sonore Tonedac is $300, but I haven't been able to find any reviews on it. It is returnable, so I might roll the dice. The Schitt Gungnir that I was hoping to get takes 6 to 8 weeks to ship if you want it in black. A dilemma. I might just order the Schitt and hold off on the server until I get it and take the measure of how it sounds.
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