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

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. 

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.

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. 

I use the (old) entry level Aurender N100SC, now replaced by the N150 - $3,500.

I think that the N150 is USB only, thereby reducing the price.  They have excellent performance as a server and support the most popular streaming services, but not the new service from Presto.

It now has built in UPS - streamers are computers (Linux I think in this case) - and may malfunction if their plug is pulled.  This is a real problem where I live in rural VT, way up a dirt road with the power lines strung on old poles between the trees so I have an external UPS.

I use a Bluesound device in my "kitchen" system and have no complaints, you can dip your toe in at rather low cost with that option - about $350.