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Hlep chosing a streamer/server for my DAC

Greetings Audiogoners, I took the dive into digital last year. I bought a Gustard A26 and loved the sound it produced. Close enough for me to analog—I currently have an Audio Research VSi75, a Herron Audio pre-amp and a VPI table.

I have been streaming through my MAC laptop. I know, not optimal. I want to make the next move to a dedicated streamer where I can sit in my chair with my tablet and drift off into sonic bliss. My problem: I'm unclear as to which streamer to pursue. Can you guys demystify things for me; dumb it down for this vinyl guy to understand? I just want to ensure that I'm able to stream the highest possible audio resolution between my DAC (32BIT/768kHz PCM, DOP 256, Native DSD512) and my streamer. I also want to avoid compatibility issues with whatever connection I choose to use between the streamer and DAC.

For example I have read that some streamers will only stream at a certain resolutions despite the streamer and the DAC being capable of much higher. Is this really a problem to be concerned about? Also, which connection should I favor 
AES, SPDIF coaxial, TOSLINK, I2S or USB. I have been using USB but I find that I can only stream at 24/96 even though higher bitrate files are possible (probably the limitations of my MAC). I currently use CAT 6 Ethernet to my MAC and USB to my DAC.

My budget is around $3700 tops. Can you help make make the right decision? Some of the streaming choices I have considered are the Lumin U2 (used) or U2mini with an S Booster, Innuos Pulse (used) or Pulse mini with power supply, Roon clone with a linear power supply or an Eversolo DMP-A10.

I freely admit I know next to nothing about digital audio. I need just the basics to make a wise purchase. Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

diminishedchord
ghdprentice
7,685 posts
 

I recommend Aurender. To get into your price range, buy used. They are one of the leading streamers and are almost exclusively used at high end audio shows. I have extensive experience with them. They have an excellent interface (very important) and are among the highest sound quality available at any price. They are priced from $3.5K to $25K. I have one of the lower level and the one of their flagship models. I have used many others. The most imprortant things about a streamer is its sound quality which is a design / build quality thing. Then come the output types. I have used lots of streamer including Aurlic, Grimm, and Linn. I recommend these over others. 

The sound quality of these is so good that I stopped caring about what the resolution was or type of file and just enjoy listening.

Qobuz has over half a million high resolution albums of various specific resolutions. 

Virtually any good streamer will be a significant upgrade from your MacBook. I used one for a couple years... or I should say I had one attached... its sound quality did not come close to my other inputs. So, when I first got a real streamer it was a big improvement. All resolutions will be impacted by a high quality streamer. 

jeffbij
164 posts
 

@diminishedchord

I just want to ensure that I'm able to stream the highest possible audio resolution between my DAC (32BIT/768kHz PCM, DOP 256, Native DSD512) and my streamer.

I have read that some streamers will only stream at a certain resolutions despite the streamer and the DAC being capable of much higher. Is this really a problem to be concerned about?

To possibly lead towards an answer your question above, keep in mind, that you can only stream, without upsampling, only as high of a resolution as the source file (i.e. a 16/44.1 file will not magically play at DSD512). So what streaming services are you using?  Tidal, Qobuz, Amazon, YouTube, ripped CD's, etc.

Why I ask is some of the services, like YouTube or Spotify, are not high-rez (or even CD quality) and very limited in their maximum bitrates.  And Tidal and Qobuz will cost more monthly for access to hi-rez files, and only fraction of the overall catalog is available above 16/44.1 CD quality.

 

 

rikkipuu's avatar
rikkipuu
286 posts
 

Welcome to the daunting digital Rabbit hole!  My suggestion is to step back and look at the forest not the trees to see where you are and where you think you want to go before diving in.

You have a nice entry level DAC.  Many will suggest a similarly priced streamer to match and that would be perfect if you content to just have a foot in the digital door.  However, as the guys at Linn say "Garbage in equals garbage out", so a better streamer will make your DAC better.  I think your plan to spend more is good.  You can upgrade the DAC when it suits you.

Streaming software's sound different.  The Innuos Sense App sounds better to me than Roon and is free and integrates perfectly with Qobuz  and I've used it with Tidal with no issues, so I feel Innuos is a great choice.  I bought a used Innuos 5 years ago and love it.  Support is excellent, updates are free.

As far as connection, for simplicity start with USB.  In my system USB is not best but that doesn't mean it is awful.  I spent time on the I2S bandwagon and it was better with some DAC's and not with others.  I use S/PDIF (with 3 DDC's) now and am planning to purchasing an AES cable hopefully soon as I think it will be better.  You can always add a DDC to swap connections if you get the itch down the road. 

Keep it simple and have fun! 

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