Solo streamer

No clipping but it’s overdone. Unnecessary for classical. 

@dxbwineguy haven’t heard N150

If you don’t use Roon, look for a used N10, it should be around $4k. N10 is a predecessor of N20 and should be excellent. 

Yeah don’t worry about it for now. Enjoy the music! 

@aldnorab i have it on a solidsteel amp stand

check my system page

@rvpiano I’m listening to the 9th again, streaming from Qobuz. 
It sounds fine, still slightly overdone with loudness but it’s not offensive by any means. Running the following:

Aurender N200 via Audience StudioOne USB to Bricasti M3  that feeds Boulder 866 integrated via Nordost Tyr 2 XLR. Bricasti does an amazing job with this recording. 
 

I’ve not compared too many DACs…but here’s the list in order of ranking:

Bricasti M3

PS Audio DirectSream Digital MkI

Chord Hugo TT2

Benchmark DAC 3 HGC

Bryston BDA-3.14

Bryston BDA-3

Chord Qutest

Mytek Brooklyn 2

The Bricasti M3 is simply a fantastic DAC. I’m making a full circle back to it now.
Others will chime in with their recommendations but if you have any questions on my experience with any of the DACs from the list above, please feel free to message me.

Bricasti also has a preamp by the way and it’s really good. However, it’s done right and it sounds it. 
just to compare…

DAC 3 HGC:

Bricasti M3:

That’s right…according to benchmark…but we all know what happens when an attempt is made to stuff 10lbs of poop in a 5lb bag…

No not calling it poop cause it isn’t. But adding headphone capabilities and preamp section to pure DAC without any impact on the rest of the circuitry is what i was referring to…

Preamp is a must in my book. I’ve not gotten the best possible results unless a preamp is in a system. I’m not saying you don’t need one. We were just talking DACs and features. 

@oddiofyl I compared the preamp in the M3 to Pass Labs XP-12 and XP-22. The M3 direct to amp is very transparent but not harsh. The only area where it lacks slightly is the soundstage depth and layering. This is where a dedicated preamp comes in. 

I would keep the purpose built streamer and add an outboard dac. Even if it’s at a later time. There’s no substitute for a good external dac unless your goal is a one box solution. 

@rvpiano stay with what sounds best to you. If you don’t hear anything that bothers you, just enjoy the music. 
There’s almost always a domino effect with each upgrade. If you can mitigate thar, you’re in a good place!

I used to have Auralic Aries G1. Never compared it with Aurender though but compared it with Lumin U1 Mini. 
Auralic sounded slightly tipped up in treble. It’s Roon ready but despite the slightly forward sound I preferred the Auralic Lightning DS over how it sounded with Roon(smoother but duller as well). It’s not a bad streamer with a nice UI that was a bit buggy. Lumin U1 Mini sounded smoother and was solid as a rock when it comes to operation. Eventually when I got the Bricasti M3 with network card I couldn’t tell the two streamers apart and sold the Lumin. 
I would rank Aurender at the top. Never tried innuos and have no idea how it sounds. Reviews are positive and owners love their innuous streamers. 

@rvpiano when does the new USB cable arrive? 

Interested in your thoughts. 

@rvpiano were you using stock usb cable?

Yeah the stock usb is decent. I have been using AQ Diamond and just tried Audience StudioOne. I’m a big fan of Audience cables but the AQ Diamond is excellent as well. In case Shunyata doesn’t work out, some alternatives…

Keep the streamer queue on repeat 24/7 and your news usb cable will be ready to go in about 10 days

@rvpiano what’s it sound like? What are the differences between it and stock cable?

@rvpiano 

There will be some differences and improvements right out of the gate but it really takes at least few days to start appreciating everything thar the new component or cable has to offer. That’s why a quick A/B never works.
Plus you’re dealing with break in. Give it time and enjoy the music. You will know if the new cable is an improvement. 

@rvpiano that’s funny…I’m in the same boat doing the integrated amplifier shootout. Good you were able to get out of that mode. I’m making enjoying the music part of the amp shootout. It’s one of the criteria for me - how engaging it is. Easier said than done once you’ve got the analytical hat on. Nit impossible though 

N10 for $2500? That’ll be a steal! 

@rvpiano 👍

keep cooking it. I would also disconnect and remove the coax if you’re not using it. Eliminate the unnecessary connection and cable - reduce the chances of EMI and RFi creeping in.

@rvpiano

…

It’s interesting how close the sound of the N200 is to analog sound, practically identical.

Minus tick, pops, noisy dead wax and getting up every 15min to flip a record then rush back to the chair to manage to sit back down in time to hear the first notes played.

I sold my fairly decent analog setup (MoFi UltraDeck, Hana ML, Sutherland 20/20 MkII with LPS) to focus on digital playback and stop the arms race between analog and digital. With Aurender N200 and a good DAC, I fee vinyl becomes nothing but a throwback.

@rvpiano one of the best USB cables I have tried is Audience StudioOne. Another is AudioQuest Diamond. 
Audience is fuller sounding, has more body and weight while retaining clarity and details. Soundstage is wide and deep. 
AQ Diamond is slightly leaner, faster sounding cable but still maintains natural tone. 
In your system with Benchmark DAC, I would highly recommend the Audience. I used it with DAC 3. I’m using the AQ Diamond now and recently compared it to Audience once again. I’m pretty sure you will not be underwhelmed with the Audience USB. It throws a massive stage that’s really stunning with large scale classical. 

To add…I throw the stock Aurender USB cable into the mix every once in a while. I’ve done it enough times and listened to it long enough each time to eliminate confirmation bias. The AQ Diamond is a better cable. And so is the Audience. Of course all system dependent but I just don’t see how in the context of your system it would fail to impress. 
Try it from The Cable Company

@rvpiano  You need A-B. 

@lalitk ​​​​@mclinnguy thanks for the recommendation. 
By the way Audience has two more USB cables up from StudioOne. The FrontRow and FtontRow Reserve silver cable. Those are more in line with FTA Sinope price wise. 

@rvpiano check TMR periodically. They have used and demo Audience cables pretty frequently.

@lalitk Definitely will give it a try. Had a bit of a chaotic couple of months with selling separates, getting integrated amps and doing a shootout, changing DACs. Settling down gradually. It will be a few months before I get to USB though. Don’t want to make any cable changes until I settle on the next DAC. 

@rvpiano  If you still want to try a good USB cable and not pay a ton of money for it, DH Labs Mirage is very good. Upscale carries the line so that’s a risk free trial with their return policy. I used this cable and liked it. It’s worth comparing to stock USB to see if you like it better. DH Labs cables are great value for the money. 
https://upscaleaudio.com/products/dh-labs-mirage-usb-cable

@rvpiano 👍

@rvpiano what works for me is few days of relaxed listening using one cable. Make mental notes. Let it sink in. Then switch cables and do few more days of listening to the same tracks. It’s never a good idea to do a quick a/b. It’s a sure way of making a mistake.