Looking for a front end streamer only.

Just 2 previous streamers.
Blue sound Node 2i - liked it very much for the money but later decided I wanted ripping capability. Then bought Cocktail Audio X45 a open box unit that proved to have mechanical issues.

The Innuous Zen Mk 3 to me is just great. Roon capability, ripping is quiet and quick. Couldn’t be happier. And customer support has been terrific.

I am going to repost since my original post was flagged and deleted  - why? I don't know.

@kingbarbuda - Joe here, of Wolf. As far as a track record goes, since we spoke at AXPONA, we have continued to grow. If you are based in the US, there are a number of shops (13 or so). If there is not one near you, you can call us. We also have distribution in Asia and Europe if you are overseas 

Another place you can hear our stuff is at the VPI House in Cliffwood, NJ. They don't do digital often, but when they do, Harry and Mat use a Wolf. 

Link to our top-selling product:  https://wolfaudiosystems.com/product/alpha-3-sx-pure-digital-edition/

Why do people want to spend more than the cost of Node 2i?
There is no such thing as "cleaner sound" in the digital domain provided you are not losing bits of your FLAC. The DAC, however, will make a difference -- but no need to spend more than about $1,200. Ditto for cabling, digital and good (but not exotic) balanced.

I have the Auralic Aries G2.0 and can certainly recommend you consider the G2.1 based on my experience. I also have an Aurender N100H which the Auralic bests handily as well as a Node 2i (used as a streamer only - not the built in DAC) which isn’t in the same ballpark of the other two.  Not incidentally, My personal experience suggests the streamer/server is at least as important as the DAC - and perhaps more so in determining sound quality.  Others disagree, but I’m certainly not alone in this viewpoint.  

FWIW - I also auditioned the Lumin U1 and mini and felt the Auralic Aries G2 bettered them as well.  Regarding Roon and the native apps - I can’t say the Lightning DS (LDS) app is better than Lumin’s (or Aurender) from a function standpoint, but it’s good enough.  As far as an interface - Roon is unequalled.  But, I dropped my subscription to Roon because I discovered that LDS sounded significantly better than Roon when streaming files, Tidal or Qobuz. For me, the sound quality improvement of LDS over Roon was quite significant.  I’m guessing it’s because the native app is able to properly use the buffer built into the Aries G2.  YMMV.  

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

Best,