Looking for a more up-to-date streamer

PS Audio Airlens can be found used for around that $ and the new firmware supports Qobuz connect.  If you buy it new you might be able to do a try & buy but your getting close to the $2k mark then

update: Airlens on sale for $1.5K and ouputs to I2S/HDMI which your DAC appears to support.

https://www.dagogo.com/ps-audio-airlens-and-directstream-dac-mk2-review/

If you are using a decent power conditioner to plug a streamer into, consider a WiiM Ultra with a Synergistic Research Tranquility Pod Carbon on top. I just conducted an experiment using this combo against some high end streamers (well over $1,500) that I have on the floor and was very surprised by the results. Of course I am also using good Ethernet and digital cables, which helps.

I have no affiliation with WiiM, but I am an authorized Synergistic Research dealer.

Sigh

Sonore UltraRendu Plus and they are on sale. 

https://www.smallgreencomputer.com/collections/music-players/products/ultrarendu

PS Audio Airlens is certified for Qubuz Connect now - last email I got was priced at $1500

https://www.psaudio.com/products/airlens

You have good gear so don't skimp on the streamer. Look for a new or used Aurender.

@mazian

+1

@foggyus91 does the UltraRendu Plus accept Qobuz Connect, though? Maybe I missed it, but haven’t seen any confirmation.

I will say that I could never maintain a stable connection with Spotify Connect and my opticalRendu. Also not the biggest fan of having to go through sonicorbitor.com to select the output. Small negatives; love everything else.

I’m using PS audio Airlens to Laiv Harmony DAC. Sounds fantastic and works great with Qobuz connect. Really liking QC, I’ll probably drop Roon when it comes up for renewal. No USB on the Airlens though.

Cheap- used Aurender N100H for about $1000

Better- new Aurender N200 for $6,300.

@jallan is barking up the right tree.  It sounds to me that you prefer a more "tuby" rather than detailed presentation so Aurender would be a good choice.  I just upgraded my streamer and auditioned quite a number of units and the Aurender is more analogue sounding than most.  Aurender is Qobuz connect ready.

I have heard good things about the Airlens but won't speak to it since I've not personally heard it.  Good luck and cheers

Agree with those who are saying Aurender. Don't sleep on the "lower" models either, they are still quite good. Bonus points for being available on the second hand market for great prices.

Volumio rivo or rivo+ ($1000 & $1500 respectively).  The streamer is not causing “shrillness”, it’s just a glorified transport.  But cheaper ones can be noisier than better engineered stuff. and your DAC may be susceptible to noise (some are less so for various reasons).

At the risk of blasphemy, consider a fanless mini PC, mine’s a mele @$350, add a Denafrips IRIS @$500 via USB, then I2S to your Pontus 15th and run Qobuz Connect.  I have this set up with an IRIS and Pontus 12th feeding McIntosh tube amp to a pair of Klipschhorns, sounds fabulous and Qobuz connect makes ease of use a snap. 

I have a Volumio Rivo+ with a Linear power supply and a 4K OLED monitor for the last few months and I am very impressed with the sound and the Volumio user interface.  In addition to streaming, Volumio can access music files from a server, SSD, USB stick, or microsd card.  I also really like the band and album history that is displayed by Volumio on the remote devices or attached monitor.  "Qobuz connect" does not offer that.  Overall, for me, this is really an outstanding setup - Note: Sound performance being my primary driver.  In addition, the Volumio software is constantly being updated/improved and "Qobuz Connect" was recently added and easliy enabled in my setup.   Here is a pic. 

@jallan 

+1 again 

I own a Aurender N100H for my headphone system... and am listening to it now. I have a Aurender W20SE on my main system. I have audioned other N series... highly recommended. 

@ghdprentice an honor to be +1 by you, sir! 

@mazian @ghdprentice @jallan 

Another +1 Aurender.  Most musical I auditioned of the majors in my budget.  

Often thought of getting an airlens, but reviews say sound is markedly better through its I2S than through its spdif connection. Several reviews say bass is a different. Neither of my two DACs have I2S. What else is good in the airlens price range?

https://forum.audiogon.com/posts/2813333

@campoly Airlens are very good. No loss omitting the usb. At least they know what an over-hyped connection it is. Never take audio advice from a computer nerd. 

Another reason to buy Aurender is they are built like a tank with great customer support.

I love my Aurender N200.   Built like a tank, gets better with each update,  now has Qobuz Connect.   Great machine.