Looking for best streamer without DAC under $3500


I currently run Metrum Ambre with Metrum Onyx and really enjoy it, but am looking to upgrade to a better streamer that has spotify among other aps. Currently looking at Lumin U1 mini, Auralic, etc.

Curious what others think
128x128justjames72

Showing 3 responses by uberwaltz

Well its a fair price and you may find they would go down some given the current economic crisis.
I use Spotify on my phone only to play in the car as Qobuz beats it soundly in SQ at least in my system to my ears.
That said the Spotify catalog is larger than Qobuz so there is that for sure.
I honestly doubt the D2 would better your onyx/ambre combo.
Different yes
Better ? in the ears of the beholder.

I have an Aurender N100 and tbh I have just changed to using Roon, running core on my computer and using a Sonore Microrendu as a bridge then straight into my MHDT Orchid DAC and that sounds slightly better to my ears. A little more air and easier to pick out instruments, not quite as dark as the N100.

In fact I was considering buying an Onyx/Ambre combo using i2s to see what that sounds like.

The N100 does allow the use of Spotify but the sq on that is blown away by Qobuz hires imho