Looking for High Quality Streamer Only Options (NO DAC)?

You do not need to spend big $ to get top-notch performance:

iFi Zen Stream: $400

Primare NP5 Prisma: $750

Holo Audio Red: $800

Pro-ject Stream Box S2 Ultra: $900

Volumio Rivo: $1100

another streamer discussion

@jbhiller  see link above to a recent discussion that touches on same topic.  I am a strong proponent that, putting aside processing differences (e.g., reclocking, up sampling/oversampling, dsp), the only differences across streamers - sonically - is differences in noise (and the science is really clear on this, btw).  Some DACs do a much better job than others at eliminating any or certain types of noise from sources (streamers).  But regardless of your DAC, there are a number of inexpensive streamers that do a great job of minimizing noise, hence the list in my previous post.  Bottom line:  there’s a lot of hype out there re streamers in part because this is the leading edge of the industry for a lot of consumers still, so there’s a lot of opportunity for high margin products for producers.  Good luck.

Bricasti M3

I’d be careful about Bricasti for a streamer.  I’ve created a database on streamer specs from Hifi News reviews over the last few years.  Why?  Because Paul Miller does “Lab Reports” at the end of every one of them, and he does the most objective, consistent measurements of streamers in the industry.  Anyway, the jitter measurements for the streamer board of the M3 are the worst I’ve ever seen.  The M5 has been around for years, I think, so if they’re using the same tech, not good.  By way of example, his measurements for the Pro-ject and the Volumio are multitudes better, comparable to the high priced Aurenders et al.