Solo streamer

Although I’m now really liking my current streamer, I have nothing to lose in trying the Aurender so I probably will let the sale go through.

@mdalton Interesting to hear that the HiFi News & RR lab reports show that the Pro-ject streamer has very low levels of jitter and other noise.

@aldnorab I've only tried one Wi-Fi extender, but the improvement it made over using the streamer's built-in Wi-Fi was immediately obvious.

One way to improve your current digital source is my removing noise from your system. I got an Audioquest Niagara 1200 power conditioner. It's been useful in unlocking more clarity and resolution.

@rvpiano

I also needed a no-nonsense high end streamer with wifi connectivity and bought a Métronome DSS. It is from a french company. Less known, especially in the US, but sounds great and looks good too. 

@cleeds

  I used a company that networks small offices for Ethernet wiring.  An electrician can do it but there are so many companies that do this for IT and are less expensive.  

My experience and mine alone - I use a Lumin, U1 Mini (has no DAC) fed into a Line Magnetic, LM502ca Tube/SS DAC with extaordinary exotic NOS tubes. I also have a Canor, DAC 2.10 that I’m rolling better tubes into soon but right now, I prefer the LM502ca as I’m super used to its presentation. The LM was $1800-ish 8yrs ago but go for about $8-900 preowned today, also, (new tubes $500). The Canor was $4K and the Lumin was about $2K & the S Boster (a must) was, I think, $350. Money invested seems to be in step with the equal dollares spent on each, prob by coincidence, however it’s an amazing streaming set up. I use an Audience, AU24e Digital BNC cable as well and AU24e RCAs to my Calypso Signature prefering those connections to balanced. My feeling is that the Aurender may be overkill in your system unless you plan to up your DAC game at some point. Albiet a wonderful piece, you wont know just how great that Aurender can be unless you, and deoesn’t have to be right away, upgrade your DAC. Oh, and yes, would be helpful to know the rest of your gear. $6K+ is a "real number" and I don’t think you need to spend that to realize great streaming. It’s more about choosing the right pieces. Just my opinion & I wish you luck!