My Comments on the Infigo Audio IS-1 Signature Streamer
A $5,000 SRP Infigo Audio IS-1 Signature streamer replaced my MAC Book Pro dedicated for music streaming only. Both streamers have Audirvana Studio music player installed. Audirvana Remote is installed on my Apple iPad.
Audirvana Studio enhances audio quality on computers by optimizing the operating system for audio playback and disabling non-essential services. It functions as a third-party player, scanning local music libraries and integrating streaming services like Tidal and Qobuz, but not Spotify or Apple Music. Audirvana offers both subscription and lifetime license models.
My Ethernet source drives a netLINK Ethernet Media Converter model HTB-GS-03 with a fiber optic output driving a fiber optic cable to the streamer. A 5V wall adapter powers the netLINK. The streamer’s only digital output is USB to the DAC. Infigo chose USB as the sole output format because done right it provides ultimate performance. Any other format would increase cost while limiting bit rate, sample rate and ultimate performance.
Fiber optic isolation in this case improves audio quality by eliminating network noise and jitter. This separation between the ‘dirty’ network and the clean audio chain ensures that RF and EMI interference, as well as high-impedance leakage currents from network devices, do not degrade the audio signal. As a result, digital music reproduction is cleaner, quieter, and more transparent, providing a more natural and lifelike sound experience.
It also incorporates ultra-low jitter re-clocking of network audio packets, reducing the need for specialized network equipment. The device supports multiple modes of operation, including Audirvana, uPnP, Roon, and HQPlayer, making it compatible with most music players.
IS-1 employs Intel’s best Quad Core CPU with one core fully dedicated to music processing. This music core runs at a moderately high fixed rate while the other 3 cores vary in speed depending on needs. Intel primarily designed this as a state-of-the-art CPU with maximum speed and power for mobile devices. Infigo chose this CPU for its speed, power and low-current draw, allowing the use of a mandatory linear power supply to meet performance goals.
Onboard IS-1 is a toroidal transformer and 100W linear power supply, about 5x the maximum required for immense power supply headroom. Infigo includes a built-in local webpage (http://infigostreamer.local) for easy control and customization, with dimmable front-panel LED with full-off option.
Each of 4 included footers employs 3 black “star” (synthetic) sapphire bearings. Each footer has a lower half with plain stud and upper half with threaded stud. To minimize cross-threading, and to make it easy, I placed my IS-1 on a small box to raise it. Screw the 4 upper footer halves into the outrigger’s 4 threaded holes. I then placed my IS-1 on its shelf.
Insert 3 sapphire bearings into 3 hemispherical cutouts in one lower footer half and slowly slide them (one at a time) under the footer half with rubber O-ring. Rotate the lower footer half and sapphires till the latter fit fully into the upper footer’s hemispherical cutouts. Now the 2 halves are properly “sandwiched,” the O-ring providing a friction press fit. Repeat for the remaining 3 lower footer halves and 9 sapphire bearings.
In the future, before picking up IS-1, remove all 4 lower footer halves and secure the 12 sapphires in a jar or elsewhere. If not, the lower footer half can unexpectedly detach with risk of lost sapphires.
The sapphire bearings act like a diode, channeling vibration from the streamer into the supporting panel.
see link for more info on the INFIGO IS-1Streamer
FYI: Other operation modes are ‘uPnP’ endpoint, which will present the streamer as an endpoint in the network that can be reached via all music software that can play to a uPnP endpoint. The streamer can also operate as a Roon endpoint; you will need another computer in the network to run the Roon core software, which can then play to the streamer as endpoint. For those that use Roon with HQPlayer for better sound quality, the streamer can operate as an HQPlayer Network Audio Adapter.
This “Signature” version is the base model $5,000; the “Cryogen” version is $7,000. Both versions offer the same audio and musical performance with extra features on the Cryogen version.
The Infigo Audio IS-1 streamer has substantially improved my sound quality. I immediately noticed my system sounds much better. The music is clearer, bass is more powerful, and imaging has improved. My Signature model lists for $5,000 and the Cryogen model $7,000.
The INFIGO IS-1 Streamer is highly recommended.
That’s quiet a statement! Was the comparison done using USB on both units? FWIW the N20 should be evaluated using AES or SPDiF connection in order to leverage the superb OCXO clock in the N20. But even thru USB I’m surprised that the N20 doesn’t sound as good ad the Infigo. |
@audphile1, Thanks. Yes, my Aurender N20 was connected to my DAC using an AES/EBU cable. This is my opinion and I 'guarantee' you that others will have a different opinion. My Infigo Auto IS-1 Streamer sounds excellent, in my system, and I like it very much. I really like using Audirvana and find it easy to use. As we both know, components sound great in one system and not so great in another. There are many variables that cause these differences including the room, cables and the other components. |
hgeifman, "As we both know, components sound great in one system and not so great in another. There are many variables that cause these differences including the room, cables and the other components." What a great post. I wish more people in this hobby would recognize what you posted. I always say there are no absolutes in audio, just preferences based on too many variables. I prefer Antipodes over Aurender, some may prefer Aurender.
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@hgeifman it’s great when you find a component that provides performance and value. It’s even better when you can replace a much more expensive piece with it! |
