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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
oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
4,173 posts
 

Avoid Eversolo if you want great support.   They have a bad track record of their units not recognizing some USB DACs.   That's not such a bad problem if not for the fact it worked perfectly before an update.    4 updates later, almost a year and still not resolved.  

I have an Aurender N200 and it's been great.  Several enhancements since I've purchased it and unmatched support in my opinion.  

Innuos is excellent too.  With streamers you are buying more than the box. You are buying into a platform and they are not all great.   

For the money I've been happy with my Bluesound , it's very good but when I went to upgrade I actually traded in a preamp I wasn't using to double my budget and get the N200.    The initial pain of that kind of cash outlay was quickly forgotten after spending many long nights listening to it. 

kofibaffour
412 posts
 

@diminishedchord get the Wiim Ultra and connect to your DAC's USB input. and use Tidal's connect feature or Qobuz's app built in Wiim's Home App. Wiim has the best UI/UX experience of all the streamers and fucks up the least software wise with constant firmware patches and updates.

wturkey's avatar
wturkey
856 posts
 

As a first streamer than works with many platforms and has great customer support, the WiiM ultra may be a great choice. The App is great. It comes with a remote control as well but I’ve never used it. It has USB and optical outputs. Low cost, great value. 

johnsmith55
9 posts
 

I’ve demoed plenty of high end streamers, long story short I ended up building my own custom pc. At the end of the day that’s what all these streamers are they are pcs.

zlone
918 posts
 

Innuos is a solid decision, and they have great software that is well supported. The subject of connections is complicated, but Innuos for the most part uses USB, so decision made for you. Whatever you choose will be a big upgrade over the Mac. 

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