Looking for intermediate-step Streamer: better than BS Node and not @ Bartok level pricing

I will say that I had the Simaudio Mind2 Streamer in a secondary system and was in love with it. One of my children ended up with it in their first house, still uses it to this day, with the Simaudio HAD he clipped from me... 

I bought 5 improved streamers since I started with a Node. All were under $1K plus power supplies and some PCs.

All sound great to me. All require some effort. They all compare well but the secret is NOT comparing A-B. It is the ability to enjoy music.

The best value, all in one, is the Magna Mano ULTRA. If you have the space, the bucks and greed opt for the Farad powered version.

I use a DirectStream mk1 DAC.

The Schitt DAC I had failed in under 3 years. They will not repair it. They took old me to buy another.

Never again.

Good luck with that Schitt.

Another vote for a used Bricasti M3 with streamer. They are upgradable over the years so you can feel comfortable having the latest experience.

A used Aurender N150 might fit the bill, several can be found if you search...at around the $3,000 level

I did not see your specific needs in your post, i.e., do you use Roon to stream from, and do you need a server to play stored files, either from an on-board drive or from a NAS?

If you use Roon, their own Nucleus or Nucleus+ show up in some pretty good systems (e.g., John Atkinson uses a Roon Nucleus+ in his review system).  However, the Nucleus+ is no longer available from Roon (base model Nucleus is still available) and Intel will no longer be making their NUCs (Next Unit of Computing), so Roon will need to make changes to their prescribed servers/streamers.

Another option is SMG (Small Green Computer) which offers their flagship i9 based sonicTransporter Optical server for $3K (you may want to add a LPS), but you will still need a streamer.

One thing to think about before spending big money is that the lifespan of servers seems to be about 5 years before they begin to get long in the tooth (go back and look at the historical model changes and upgrades from some of the better recognized server/streamer manufacturers). 

I have not heard or read any specifics of why it would be important to pay big money for a server, which is essentially a computer dedicated to audio.  There are potential advantages to certain programing and sound shaping options offered by some, but in the mid-price range, it seems SGC would be hard to beat given that they have been making and improving server products for years now, and many report that their support is responsive.  Things I have found to be important as I have upgraded servers include, dedicated to audio only, fast processing, quiet power supply, fanless cooling, and some Linux variant for the OS.  Other things I look for are on-board SSD file storage, easy transferring/storing of music files, headless operation, and responsive technical support.

Streamers (or endpoints, or renderers) that work well do not have to be expensive.  One thing to look at is connectivity (i.e., do you need I2S?).  As a start, look at the list of partners on Roon's website and check out the endpoints offered by the listed companies.   

I would spend more money on the DAC, as the technology seems to be more mature and IME, they have a greater impact on what you hear.   

Moon MiND2 would be another great shout. The app is excellent also 

Hola! DCS is a good brand but also very very detailed and can be fatiguing, I used to have one, so it can be a blessing in disguise’s 😂 that it was out of your budget.  DAC and streamer or server are a team and you should be aware of that. Also cables play a super important role. But if you want to focus on streamer first there are two very commercial brands that you can buy used here on Audiogon that are pure quality. Aurender and Innuos. It depends of you want to use Roon or not.  Aurender is very sweet, N20 is amazing and you can get a used one for 7.5k but does not run roon. Innuos is more warm and they have tons of models but there are a little more sensitive to cables.  A good USB is key too and there are tons of brands in the market. I’ll recommend to go to commercial brands since they manage a better value in the market if you don’t like it. I use Final Touch Audio for USB and it’s very good for the price but it’s not as commercial and Shunyata, AudioQuest or Transparent but I found it better for the price. 
 

my 2 cents and good luck 

Hi

Can you push yourself to a used Bartok? This is what I did. I have absolutely no regrets. I was previously forever upgrading Pre amps, dacs and streamers now everything is so much better and far simpler. It connects straight to my balanced amps and I couldn't be happier. It is the non-Apex version but I see no need (at the moment 😉) to pursue that.

Good luck with your search.

Mark

In answer to your question how was the Bricasti M5 a big step up in comparison to Bluesound Kit (a Node 2i) or to a Roon Nucleus with Sbooster LPS functioning as server/streamer: Lower noise floor, better sound stage and imaging; felt like I could hear further into the music. At the time I picked up the M5 I was using it with a Chord Qutest, and for the last 7 months it has been feeding a Rockna Wavelight in my main rig.

Yup Lumin mini. Lot’s of info all over the web. Also Aurender N100SC. 

If you’re satisfied with your dac I can recommend trying a Lumin U2 Mini (streaming transport). I believe they are running in the $2-2.5K range (used or new). I’m using one in my system and it sounds very nice- no complaints. Others mentioned above are well designed units as well, I just have no experience with them.

At the lower end of your stated range the Auralic Aries G1.1 and then invest $500 in the 45 minute DIY Hoer-Wege power supply upgrade.  Going up the Innuos Pulse and at the top of your stated range the newly released Aries G2.2 at $6000.  Also worth a look is the Lumin U2 at $5k.  

OP,

Streamers performance generally conforms to the audiophile rule that if you invest two or three times more in a carefully chosen component (meaning great quality and crafted to your sound values) then you get a very sizable increase in performance. So, an Aurender N200 would be a great improvement, a N20 would be better… but probably really held back by your DAC. 
 

My best advise to anyone looking for a better streamer is to get the best Aurender they can afford. That to me is a really safe bet. I have auditioned many other good streamers… most above $5K are good and get better with investment level. There seems to be less difference in character among them like there is in DACs. Streamers provide a quieter background, more dynamics, better imaging, and better bass. DACs do the same but also tip tonal balance and an influence the musicality and natural nature of the sound more.

I don’t have a fixed budget. Something in the 3-6K region sounds reasonable to me to be a MID-STEP. But again, that is part of the question I am asking. If there is nothing shy of a $10k investment to make the move up...well...that is what I would like to know.

Well, you kinda have a low bar with the Node so yeah, you’ve got a lotta upside potential in your price range. An easy recommendation is the Innuos Pulse that in addition to being an excellent streamer comes with their Sense app that gets very high marks for both usability and sonics, and they also offer top notch customer support should you ever need it. That said, Aurender is likewise excellent although not sure they work with Roon yet if that’s a consideration. I’d start by reading reviews of those two makes, but I think it’s a 100% sure bet you’ll experience a significantly higher level of performance with either. Best of luck.

I would consider a used Bricasti M3 w/ streamer card. 

jazzman7

Can you let me know what in particular you mean when you say BIG STEP UP?

Thanks.

joe

jazzman7

Thank you.  This is helpful.

soix

7,620 posts

10-29-2023 at 07:41pm 

Lots of good info and nice system, but what’s your budget and are you looking for new or used?

Hi,I don't have a fixed budget.  Something in the 3-6K region sounds reasonable to me to be a MID-STEP.  But again, that is part of the question I am asking.  If there is nothing shy of a $10k investment to make the move up...well...that is what I would like to know.  My system sounds pretty good.  But I know there is a world that is vastly superior -- for $25k.  I am not able to make that investment now.  I'm looking for a SIGNIFICANT upgrade at a modest price.  I am certain that for a few $1K I could do better.  Not interested.  I want to land somewhere where I can stay for a decade while I continue learning about the ultimate systems.

So what is my budget?  I ask all of you: what should I allocate for such an upgrade?

I have had a very good experience with the Bricasti M5.  I'm running it as a Roon bridge.  Can also be run using Jriver or Audirvana functioning as your OS.

List price is something like $2400, but can be found used in the $1300 to $1800 range.  

Prior to Bricasti M5 I had been running Bluesound kit and a Roon Nucleus streaming to itself.  The Bricasti was a big step up.

In the last couple weeks I helped a friend choose a new streamer / DAC. He had a Yggy and my Aurrender N100 for comparison.

We were auditioning a Linn Selekt with only the Streamer / and the mid level DAC (total $12K. ~$4K streamer and $6K DAC). I was able to compare the two streamer / DAC combos. The Linn was much better. The treble on the Yggy was mostly high frequency hash, the sax was a lean characterization, the bass line was a single boom. With the Linn the cymbals were brass sounding… no distortion, the sax rich and finely detailed at the edges, the bass line resolved into three notes. Big difference! Then we compared the Linn streamer and the Aurender streamer through the Yggy. Wow. Most of the difference was the Yggy. The Yggy was by far the weak point.

The Aurrender N100 is a very good streamer for the money although a generation old… it held up to the new Linn well. But the Yggdrasil was simply the weak link.

I would recommend upgrading the Yggdrasil first… get a better DAC, then upgrade your streamer… I recommend the best Aurrender you can afford.

Check out my recent thread on 10/18 titled - Streamer Selection-Thoughts Requested (64 responses) I too have/had a BS node and also a Yggdrassil LIM DAC. Net is you have quite a few choices dependent on your budget. I narrowed it down to Innuos and Aurender. Ended up over budget and just purchased an Aurender N200 that will arrive next week. I will cover this in my post in the next few days but wanted to give you a quick shout tonight so you had some background reading on a similar topic thats recent. Good luck!

Lots of good info and nice system, but what’s your budget and are you looking for new or used?

I'm looking for something similar, so I am interested in this thread. Most folks believe that a separate DAC and streamer are the way to go for better SQ. Naturally, this adds to the cost. I would think your Yaggy DAC would be a good place to start, and simply add the server of choice, without a combo DAC/Server unit. I don't currently own a separate DAC, so answers to your OP are of interest.