Streamer Comparison and Suggestions

I have very similar setup to @mitch2, in my case custom streamer used only as server/Roon core, Sonore OpticalModule to OpticalRendu, in my setup the Sonore powered by outboard lps, Uptone JS2 (choke based LPS). I've tried many other setups for Roon over the years, this best and have no desire or intention to change. If I were to upgrade it would only be to the Deluxe version of Sonore. I could also go to single streamer setup via my custom streamer via Pink Faun or JCAT I2S or usb interface. Finding I2S interface via Denafrips Gaia, this out of the OpticalRendu via usb to be my new reference. The Sonore equipment is very nice for a Roon bridged setup!

luv tubes has nothing to do with selling mitch anything we have had numerous clients testing our servers vs many of the best units out there thats all we are saying 

mitch wehad a client with a similar setup to yours and he switched to an Aeon

luv tubes we have compared our server to innous and Aurender and our clients have compared tp antipodes and grimm 

Thank you Dave and Troy but I am totally happy with my sonicTransporter i9 (Gen4) as a server (runs Roon core and stored music files on SSD), and Sonore Signature Rendu SE Deluxe (optical) as the streamer/endpoint/renderer.  I like how the sonicTransporter (being separated from the streamer/endpoint) can be located in another room away from my system and then feed the streamer/endpoint via an optical cable thus providing galvanic isolation.  Having the server networked is beneficial since it also operates as a server for Roon and saved music files for two other of my home systems that have their own endpoints.  I also like that both the sonicTransporter and Signature Rendu SE are made in the USA and can easily be serviced in the USA.  In addition, support for both products has been exceptional.   

Happy New Year 

@audiotroy and you have listened to them all?

Doubt it. 

mitch you should check out a 432evo Aeon to date we haven't found a server that beats it 

the aeon is a completely modular design so the server can be improved as newer parts become available.

each part of the server is physically  and electrically isolated from each other:

the cpu and motherboard are separated from the clock card and usb card

the cpu is run by by an external sbooster power supply.

while the clock and usb are run by their own separate, sbooster power supply

a laser sintered, custom made shield, eliminates  radiated rfi from the low noise cpu.

 A proprietary operating system runs Roon differently then most servers

in a 432 EVO server runs Ron in its own core, while  background processes are run on their own core.

Music caching is run on yet another core.

in our tests the Aeon  sounded   as good as the $27 Innous statement next gen

we beat the  Aurender n10 and N20 models

Dave and Troy

Audio intellect NJ

432evo dealers

Thank you @marco1 

I ended up with a Sonore Signature Rendu SE Deluxe (optical) - with latest upgrades, and it elevated the sound of my system.  I can output USB directly to my DAC or use Sonore’s ultraDigital to convert USB to S/PDIF or I2S.  I also have a Singxer SU-6 DDC but currently not using it.

If I wasn’t so happy with the Sonore, the Innuos Pulsar would be next on my list.

@mitch2 some recent developments that you may or may not be aware of regarding the Pulsar since this thread ended a year ago.  In addition to only USB output on the Pulsar, Innuos now has a PhoenixI2S Lite Board and SPDIF Board available as options.  This makes the Pulsar much more attractive to DAC owners where USB is not an option or preferred.  Check the Innuos website for more detailed information and pricing.

Any of you directly compared the Innuos Pulsar with the Sonore Signature Rendu SE Optical?  Impressions?

Thank you @grannyring for your feedback on the SQ of the Pulsar, the responsive support of Innuos, and your preference for the Sense app over Roon.  I will have a hard time giving up the artist write-ups on Roon but for better SQ, maybe.

The SQ of my system took a surprising step forward this week by moving my server to a separate room with my modem, router, switch, and fiber converter, LPSs for all, and connected to a dedicated 20A line.  I put my muon filter directly between my router and server, and then extended 45 feet of fiber to a Sonore Signature Rendu SE Optical (SRO) in my system room.

The improvement was beyond subtle and is characterized by a somewhat rounder, fuller, more dimensional, and more musically enjoyable presentation compared to using the Metrum Ambre as a Roon endpoint, which is a bit more incisive with perhaps a slightly flatter presentation - still pretty good but not as good.  Some of the improvement may be from using the USB input on my DAC, which seems better than the S/PDIF input, although going through the SRO still improved on a direct USB connection between my server and DAC.

I could be satisfied and finished for now but, based on all the positive comments made here about the Pulsar, I would still like to hear the level of SQ improvement/difference (if any) it makes in my system.  Maybe I will look into whether a 30-day trial is an option.

Pulsar is wonderful and Innuos has always responded promptly to my questions. Lifetime Roon member who no longer uses it as Sense sounds FAR better with Innuos products. 

If I was starting over again and didn’t have a DAC or streamer (and had the cash) the MU2 would be under the tree. 🌲 Not socks 🧦 

Good comments and about streamers - thanks.
I was able to hook up the Sonore Signature Rendu SE Optical (SRO) today in my system for a trial, and I like what I am hearing.

I then wired a new dedicated line to my panel to power my IT-server area and ran 45-feet of OM1 LC to LC fiber (because I was previously using SC/SC terminations) so tomorrow I will move my Deja Vu server into the IT area, away from my system room, connect the server directly to my router, and to a Bonn N8 switch, then a very short Ethernet cable to the Sonore Optical Module (with LPS) and then 45 feet of fiber from the IT area (or server room) directly to the SRO outputting USB to my DAC. I look forward to getting that done and hearing some music.

I will not rule the Innuos Pulser out because of all the positive responses about how well it performs, along with the apparent SQ benefits of using the Sense app. However, if the SRO continues to sound as good as it did today, I may stick with that until the Pulsar matures. This stuff has been moving pretty fast wrt improvements when you consider the highly regarded products that have come out in the past year or so; Pulsar, Auralic Aries G2.2, Grimm MU1/2, and more.

I own a Pulse + Phoenix USB reclocker. The Sense app (running Qobuz) is very robust and it was so good that I got rid of Roon, especially as my system sounded better without it. The quality of the Innuos products is awesome that I can imagine the Pulsar would be an incredible streamer too. Enjoy your journey.

I've found the response time from Innuos much faster than others. I have the Pulse Mini using the Zen Mini LPS and have heard the Pulse [measurable improvement]. I would imagine the Pulsar is excellent.

@mitch2 If you’re in NoCal please PM on Agone. Also I may know a guy who may br able to get a certain streamier at a discount if you can read me. Dig Daddyoh?

(At times it is frustrating that Agone will not allow phone numbers and personal info but that keeps the buying/selling lock tight.)

So you all got me interested in Grimm again and I reached out to them and asked whether they were considering developing a streamer type product.  John-Paul Lizars replied that their goal of the MU1/MU2 was to offer "a self contained solution to digital audio playback."   They strive for "the best possible fidelity, an elegant simplicity and user friendly operation."   Of the separate server and streamer set-up, he said, "the use you describe, while having merit, is more complex than we like."   However, he also mentioned, "the MU1 can function as a Roon endpoint and customers do use it that way to accomplish the configuration you describe."  

Subsequent to that, I found and purchased a Sonore Signature Rendu SE Optical from a seller who is only about an hour from me.  I like the simplicity of the Sonore streamer and if the sonics match the reviews, it should work fine for me.  If not, there is always Grimm.

I upgraded from using my mac mini 2020 i7 as all components of roon to using it to control an Aries G2.1. The difference in SQ was substantial, but don't forget the importance of cables, especially power. It is a little twitchy. I was swapping cables while it was powered on and blew the main usb port and had to ship to Oregon for repair. I also have been unable to get teh lightning app to work on my net, but think it's a bonjour bug in my old router. Last, it draws too much power IMO, even when asleep, and when I turn it off with the switch, and then turn it on, it doesn't connect. I have to a manual sleep cycle to make it work. If I leave the unit switched on but asleep as intended, then it always works. The presence of an aux usb port shoudl be great for playing from an SLC drive for even better SQ, but I need to get an external LPS for that.

@jonwolfpell ​​​​@antigrunge2  - Thanks for the feedback.  That is the type of support I am looking for and that I remember from when I was using the DX3.  I believe you are much more likely to have proactive and responsive support from the companies that are heavily invested in the digital front end side of audio (servers, streamers, clocking, etc.) and that maintain teams of people to work on this stuff.

The support issue and newness of servers to Grimm is part of my reluctance to the Grimm MU1 that maybe I need to get over.  They have been in business almost 20 years and their first products were digital so they know what they are doing.  I wish they had a streamer only product instead of the all-in-one MU1/2 solutions.  I am a little concerned with the market longevity of running a server using the computing power from an i3, which is what I believe is in the MU1.  Another issue with not having a mature digital line-up is that they are coming out with new products (MU2), so I would hate to purchase the MU1 and then have them come out with a streamer only product that I would be much more interested in.  I need to give this more thought.  The reports of great sound quality are enticing.

Mitch2 - see my earlier comment. I was probably lax on updating my Innuos Zenith   but when customer support was needed to complete the task, they were right on it!! 

@mitch2 

there is an update on average once a quarter; they run a user request list for these updates and their support is super responsive with online remote sessions where needed. Top notch.

@mitch2 I have NOT found using the Grimm as a Roon core and streamer to detract from overall sonics (YMMV ). I have found just the opposite. Big time. Better put; no worries. 

How bout the HIFI Rose RS130? It has the ability to use a fiber network, hard drive storage for stored media  has an excellent clock and an i2s output  

So, for all of you Innuos owners, how active are they on updates and how responsive is their support if you need it?

@mitch2

Unless you need the ripping function of the Zen series I’d now go with the Pulsar which includes Phoenix like reclockking of the USB connection and better power supply

@antigrunge2 

Are you suggesting either the ZENith Mk3 or the ZEN Mk3 along with the Phoenix USB reclocker? 

I noticed Antipodes did go from their separate EX/CX to the one box Oladra or K50 solutions.  I really liked using the DX3 and would consider their K41 and K22 pair but their pricing went through the roof.  If I wanted one box, the K50 would be on my list.

InnuOS Sense in my experience with a good DAC obviates the need for splitting streamer and server; actually savings on one of the two might buy a better clock and clocking is key.

The Bryston BDP-3 is Roon Ready.  I have their Pi unit and it makes a solid Roon Endpoint and Bryston Support is good.

https://sepeaaudio.com/content/Bryston_BDP-3_Review_Audio_Video_South_Africa.pdf

Wow, what a great thread.  Thank you for the responses everyone.

Based on what I have read, the Innuos Pulsar and Sonore Signature Rendu SE Optical remain strong choices in the $5-8K range, along with the Auralic Aries G2.2.  One drawback with the Pulsar and Sig Rendu SE is that they tie me to using USB, unless I add another box.  Cost effective options less than $3K include the Lumin U2 mini with upgraded outboard LPS or the opticalRendu with an improved outboard PS.

Thank you to @joc3021 for the additional information about how easy it is to switch the Innuos Pulsar between their Sense app and Roon.  That was helpful.  

To those recommending the Grimm MU1, it is within my budget and I have read the reviews but as good as it probably sounds, I really want to have the server separated from the streamer/endpoint for the SQ reasons mentioned by @dmiller01, as well as for the ability to repair/replace the server if necessary without affecting the streamer.  Finally, I like the idea of sticking with products from a company that is established and experienced with servers/streamers as I suspect the support will be more reliable like it was when I used the Antipodes DX3.

My father as a Grimm MU1 - excellent. Uncle has an Aurilac G1.1 - OK. Friend has an Aurender N20 - excellent. I decided to buy an Evo 432 - excellent. It’s a roon core and is quite a bit cheaper than the MU1 and N20, but holds its own, I believe. Not better or worse, just has different sound characteristics. I have an Audio Note system and it harmonizes very well … emphasizes the naturalness and tonal beauty of the AN sound. If you live near NYC, you can demo one as the dealer is based in NJ. 
 

If you can stretch your budget to a get a new or used Grimm MU1 it is a far better Roon box than anything else. You can sell your Room core. The 2/4 over sampling is dah bomb. 
Don’t take just my word please read up on it. 

I would echo comments regarding Innuos and the Sense application. I used a Zenith Mk III as a Roon core and streamer and it is an excellent sounding streamer. (I recently upgraded to an Innuos Statement but the Zenith is right up there.) It will run Roon and run DSP software. But for the best sound it is better if you utilize a separate Roon core and use the Innuos as an end point/streamer only. The processing power used to manage Roon and DSP tend to detract from the overall sonics. I compared the Zenith to Lumin and Aurrender products in similiar price ranges and found the Innuos to be sonically superior.  

Also agree with general comments about the Innuos Sense app. It works flawlessly. I spent a lot of time comparing the sonics of the Sense to Roon before switching and dropping Roon. It is easy to toggle and A/B between Roon and Sense to compare. It was clear that the Sense application sounded much better than Roon and it was not subtle. More open, more transparent, better dynamics. Finding a used Zenith MK III should not be difficult. Good Luck

Very good streamer is Melco.

The Metrum Ambre is hard to beat for SQ.

The only way you’ll know for sure is direct comparison with return privileges.

I also returned SOtM and Sonore Rendu because their support could not get them to play anything BUT Room and limited IP radio.

Currently happy with Magna Mano Ultra (i2s), Pro-Ject S2 Ultra (USB) and miniDSP SHD Studio (AES-EBU), all with Qobuz and external SSDs.

+1 Innuos. I have a ZENITH MKIII and it’s been flawless. The Sense app seems to be the best available with a great sound, very intuitive and robust!

@mitch2 if you are looking at Lumin, I have had the Lumin D2, Lumin P1 and I now have a Lumin U2 Mini with an upgraded power supply, I went with an S-Booster.  It doesn’t have to void the warranty, if anything requires warranty service you would have to put the original power supply back in the Unit.  On the Lumin products, upgrading the power supply is a really common upgrade, they make great products, support is outstanding, they are continually sending out updates to their units and software.  Bang for the buck, you won’t go wrong with the U2 mini with an upgraded power supply, it will get you close to something 3x the price.  I also had an Aurilac G2 streamer, not the latest version, the one prior, great streamer as well, I found Lumin to be a smidge better but you wouldn’t go wrong with either, the U2 Mini would save you some $$ but you wouldn’t give up any performance relative to the older version of the G2, can’t speak to the latest. 
 

If you want the best of the best as another poster mentioned Aurender products are about as good as it gets when it comes to streamers.  

Another thumbs up for Innuos! I’ve had my Zenith Mark III for 2.years & it’s excellent as is their Sense app. I recently tried to do a suggested update & something happened & it froze x& wouldn’t work at all. I emailed their tech support which is right on the Sense App & they very quickly got connected into my unit & corrected the issue! It works better than ever! Great customer support!

Knowing build quality very  well innuos ,and great interface 

Mitch2 - it's very simple to switch to roon on the pulsar, takes a few seconds. You just toggle out of "standalone" mode on the app where sense is streaming qobuz or tidal directly and switch to roon where roon takes over the interface and sees the pulsar as an end point. Makes it easy to compare sonics, app responsiveness, etc. 

I have a Pulsar. Love it.

Sense App allowed me to ditch Roon which I was more than happy to do

I use an Auralic G2.1, very solid,  can’t go wrong with the G2.2

if I had unlimited funds I might consider a Grimm Audio MU-1

If you are a ROON user, then the 3 streamers I owned would all work well. They best part is you do not need a superstar music server (also known as a computer).

• Lumin X1, this is a DAC and streamer. Lumin has released the streamer part of the X1 as a new product.
• Sonore OpticalRendu
• PlayBack Designs Stream-IF (fibre optic only works with PBD and Nagra DACs)

These 3 are awesome streamers and the first 2 were used with fibre optic. Using fibre means it does not matter what was before the fibre, such as the music server.

I did not use fibre with the Streamer-IF since I have not purchased a PBD DAC yet. I used SPDIF with the Streamer-IF into a Benchmark DAC3B. Even in that setup the sound was comparable to the other 2. I am thinking there is some fibre inside the box that is hooked up to the SPDIF pathway.

A well designed USB connection has the advantage of slaving the server’s clock to the Dac. Assuming the dac has superior clocking that at the highest level has significant benefits on SQ.

I use an Auralic Ares 2.2 it’s solid.

If you can swing it get an Auralic if you

want the best of the best Taiko Extreme or Aurender N30SA.The Aurender is more reliable than the Taiko.

I have Pi2aes with LPS (running RoPieeeXL, HqPlayer upsampling, to Holo Spring 3 KTE), tried some Innuos and Aurender streamers that local shop had for demo,  and never found them worth the price difference. Paying 2-3k (or 5k!) for "I think I heard the difference on that song" is not worth it in my system, maybe would be if i have 50-100k setup, but for ~15-20k for my whole system definitely its not. So, be sure to try before buying and see if that money would better spent into something else.  

Thanks everyone, so far.

@joc3021  - I am glad to hear you have had good luck with the Pulsar.  I have heard several times that the SQ from Innuos' own Sense app is better than from Roon.  Do you know if there would be a way to toggle between Roon and the Sense app, depending on whether I were listening casually or more critically?  BTW, I have not considered Aurender because it is not Roon ready.

@fuzztone - You are saying the Metrum Ambre (not Alambre) is "hard to beat", right?  I am not surprised, because I also think it sounds good.   I wish I could try a couple of these streamers (mainly the Pulsar and the Sig Rendu SE opt.) in my system so I could compare them to the Ambre that I am currently using.