Rockna Wavelight Music Server

I have the Wavedream Net paired with a Wavedream Signature DAC.  The Wavedream NET replaced a Roon Nucleus.  The DAC replaced an Aqua La Voce S3.  The CD player in the Wavedream Net replaced a Marantz Pearl SACD player.  I have no experience with the Wavelight models, but would expect them to be close to the Wavedream in terms of sound quality.

The most noticeable differences in sound quality were in this order:

DAC

CD Player

Server

The Wavedream server is slightly better than the Roon Nucleus it replaced.  The fact that it also replaced a very good CD player and makes CDs very listenable is the only thing that kept me from being disappointed by that purchase.

The DAC on the other hand was an instant "wow" moment.

Long story short, consider investing more in the DAC than the server.  

Hi

Anyone have experience comparing sound quality of the Rockna Wavedream Net vs a Innuos Zenith MK3 + Phoenix USB Reclocker combo with locally stored files?

Hi all, I'm no audio reviewer, but just wanted to chime in on my experience. After getting hold of the Rockna WaveLight DAC, I was awed. My previous DAC was the Benchmark 3B, which I thought was already remarkable. The Wavelight DAC thrashed the Benchmark 3B that there was no need to do an A/B on it. After enjoying the WL DAC for 2 months, the Dealer in Singapore (where I live) tempted me with the WLS. I began to do lots of Googling on whether a streamer / server could make much of a difference. Did not want to spend so much just for a marginal difference. Alas, I took the plunge! Straight out of the box, I could immediately hear the sonic differences, much more spatiality and ultra-high resolution, but it sounded so ahem...digital!! Running it 24hrs for 2 days, I must say it took my music to a new level. The Rockna Wavelight DAV and WLS is now my end-game digital front. If you're wondering how much difference the WLS makes...stop wondering. You'd realize how much you are missing out!...Mike

@verdantaudio In terms of sound quality, from a streaming perspective how would you rank the 2 Rockna Servers? How does the SQ compare to say the Bricasti M5. If you were to rank all 3 as streamers on a 10 point scale (with 10 being the best SQ you are familiar with, not necessarily any of these 3), where would they all fit on that scale? Might you be able to share your perspective? Thanks in advance for your response.

I hear that there may be more options developed for the Wavelight that may not be developed for Wavedream NET.  I don’t know this with certainty as you never know how long new software will take to develop.  Not sure about memory player aspect.  I will ask.  

@verdantaudio What do you mean by long term flexibility? Can you flush that out a little bit. And as I understand it the Wavedream Net is a memory player, reading everything into Ram before playing it.  Although the Wavelight Server does not have a CD transport, does it also read data into a memory buffer before playing it?

Thanks for any edification you can provide.

Wavelight server and Wavedream NET as servers seem very similar.  There will be more flexibility long term with the Wavelight server.  Obviously, the NET has the CD transport in it making it unique.  Both are excellent

@verdantaudio How does the Wavelight Server compare to the Wavedream Net

I am one of the US dealers.  I have it here. The unit is very nice sounding and easy to setup.  Happy to answer any questions.