2. digital
  3. 188702-21

Roon Endpoint Streamers - Direct Comparisons between Current Offerings?

Have any of you directly compared sound quality between any of the current offerings of streamers when used solely as a Roon endpoint/streamer? This assumes Roon core and any local music file storage is being operated on a separate device (i.e., a separate server).

I have listed several of the current options below and while a few of those offer additional features, such as server capabilities, hosting of local file storage, or operating players unique to their manufacturers (i.e., other than Roon), I am interested in their performance solely as a Roon endpoint/streamer. Other suggestions not listed below are welcome, but please consider a $5K -$10K price range.

Streamers

  • Sonore Signature Rendu SE optical v3.0 - $5,350
  • Auralic Aries G2.2 - $6,099
  • Innuos Pulsar - $7,999

Server/Streamers

  • Aurender N200 - $6,300
  • Antipodes K22 - $9,000
mitch2
au_lait
338 posts
 

I am also in the market for a server/streamer to run ethernet into my Bricasti M1SE. Have been thinking about the Melco, but have been utterly indecisive for over a year now.

mitch2 OP
3,969 posts
 

@fastfreight 

This is really only an issue if you have two systems, where one runs Core and the other needs to be endpoint only.

I am running three systems with my server/Roon core in my network room and a separate endpoint connected to my network for each of the three systems.  Based on my listening, the streamer/endpoint has more influence on SQ than the server to the point where it seems the server only needs to be competent and reliable.  The endpoint in my main system is a Signature Rendu SE optical that feeds a Singxer SU-6 DDC.  The SU-6 provides a variety of outputs that I have connected to two different DACs that I alternate in that system.  I have been interested to read the positive reviews of the Grimm MU1, but I don't really want to go back to another one-box solution (previously had Antipodes DX and Mojo DejaVu) so I have been looking at the different high'ish end steamer options for my main system.

You will continually hear that other software sounds better than Roon.  I believe this but love Roon, so I want to have both available. 

I went with the lifetime Roon option early on and I like the metadata too much to give it up, so I have been looking at streamers that work well with Roon.  I sort of keep coming back to the Innuos Pulsar and would also be interested to try their Sense app player, but only if I could easily/quickly switch between it and Roon.

Ag insider logo xs@2x
cdennison53
15 posts
 

I too will sing the praises of the Grimm MU1. It is a Roon core and a streamer and is superb as both.  It replaced my Roon Nucleus plus and was a tremendous upgrade.  

mitch2 OP
3,969 posts
 

No USB output on the MU1, correct?  Just S/PDIF (via RCA) or AES/EBU?

Ag insider logo xs@2x
jji666
536 posts
 

Based on my listening, the streamer/endpoint has more influence on SQ than the server to the point where it seems the server only needs to be competent and reliable.  

This.  Bravo! 

More to discover