Streamer matching to system

I use Innuos and Roon playing Qobuz.  I will say it isn't very convenient to switch back and forth between roon and stored music.  You have to stop the music and basicly disable roon.  

I think it is much more convenient using the Innuos control platform but haven't tried it.  

I recommend the Cambridge Audio CXN 60.  I use it for the same purposes that the OP will, to play files from my NAS and Qobuz, and he won’t have to switch anything.  It also has AirPlay and Chromecast , a good app, and will be way under budget, and a definite step up from the Node

Is the streamer the issue or the DAC inside? I use a Node 3 with an external DAC feeding ML Monolith electrostatics and have no issue with the sound. I just store my digital files on my PC and let the Node access them via ethernet (best for reliability) or wifi.  I find the BluOS app very easy to use.

Here's my suggestion

You can put a 2 TB SSD into a Hifi Rose RS250 for under $3K total.

Showey like your Mac.

Plays Roon, Qobuz, Tidal, Spotify and Rose Tube.

PCM 768

DSD 512

@matt_mccloat if you’re using McIntosh built in DAC, my recommendation would be to add a good external DAC and worry about the streamer at a later point. 

@audphile1   +1

@matt_mccloat 

If you check out my system, you will see what I did to upgrade my Node. I have now zero need to spend more on a streamer. The Node set up the way it is is at least as good as my vinyl and CD rigs. In fact the streaming has even a wider soundstage. For real.

What @audphile1 said.

The Innuos Zenith Mk3 is a great unit and in my experience has been bullet proof.  It is a great sounding streamer and the CD ripping/storage functionality is very convenient. You can use Roon or it will also serve as a Roon core device, but the inhouse Innuos Sense control application works flawlessly and sounds much better than Roon in A/B listening IMHO. I spent a lot of time going back and forth before giving up Roon because the sonics with the Innuos Sense application where just better. Add a Phoenix USB reclocker at some point and you are approaching state of the art streaming sound. Not sure where the price point is these days, but it should be in the $3k ballpark. 

@matt_mccloat 

Do you like the Bluesound software? I have the new N130 and replaced the power supply with a linear power supply and am running it into a Denafrips Pontus ll. The better DAC made a huge difference as you might have guessed and the new power supply made a very noticeable difference as well. Oh and the Node and software sees my NAS where I have about 1600 CD’s ripped and that’s a big plus for me.

I have a Sonore i7 with an ultra Rendu from small green computer fed to a Denafrips Pontus II and I love it.  Easy to use, Roon endpoint, sounds amazing

@audphile1 @barts @jerryg123 @pwoodard922 Purchasing a standalone DAC is an interesting avenue to explore. Are there specific DAC’s you recommend I begin to research? Admittedly I know very little about the standalone DAC space. A few have mentioned Denafrips Pontus 2 so I will start there.

@sunshdw do you own the Aries? If so, how’s the UI / app?

@baylinor your set up is wild. It was a bit hard to tell exactly what you did to augment the node - would you mind spelling it out here? 

I owned an Aries G2 for over a year. I loved the app… actually more than the Conductor app I use now with my Aurender streamers. But, I struggled with keeping the Aries on line. I had it reboot every night and still had trouble with it, The sound quality was pretty good… but i think equivalent Aurender sound better and with a wall wart wifi extennder is rock solid. Also, Aurlic requires authentication on line from the company or they will not work. So the first several days mine would not work while I futzed with them to get it registered.

Anywsy I own two Aurender’s now. Unless something changes, if I ever change streamers again, I will be looking at them first. It is all they do, streamers… they definitely make some of the best available.

Upgrade the node. A linear power supply, fiber, and Ethernet cables will set you back maybe $300 to 400 and you’ll get sonic improvement that you’d pay thousands for if your not careful. Good luck. 

@matt_mccloat 

Lol. I just get lazy about repeating myself over and over about my setup. Here it is simplified, from wifi to Dac :

- TP Link extender

- Bluejeans/ Belden ethernet cable

- Smallgreen optical isolation bundle to cleanup ethernet

- Teddy Pardo linear power supply for Node

- Shunyata venom 14 power cord for Teddy

- Node n130 with usb output

- Curious usb cable (original one)

- Gustard x26 pro Dac.

- Cullen gold 12 gauge PC to power dac

I could go on to the cabling to the preamp, preamp, cabling to amp, amp, etc... but that will have to do for now :)

EVERYTHING MATTERS ALONG THE LINE!

@matt_mccloat I am going to tell you to audition DAC's I have 3 in my home and they range in price from $3000.00 to $12,000.00 now 2 are streaming DACS.

My favorite is simple and well is simple. the LossLess Echo's End DAC with Fire Wire 640X.

No knobs, lights, switches, just gorgeous sound.  I know a dealer that can send you this DAC to audition and his link is below 

LessLoss Echo's End R-2R DAC| Atelier 13 Audio (atelier13-usa.com)

I guess Jerry didn't see the 3k budget.

@matt_mccloat 

Yes I do and I love the sound of it, the app is better than the BlueOS and miles better than the Lumin in every aspect. See my virtual system 

@baylinor No I did not. But he pointed a message at me and that was what I responded to.

Under 3K I would look at Schiit or Audio Mirror (used). 

Or that DAC you endorse Gustard? 

All great perspectives - thank you all. My local dealer is pushing Naim as an option. Any thoughts from the collective on the Naim ND5 XS2? In particular how is the Naim U/I or App? Dealer has one in the shop I can home demo but not for a few weeks. 

I’d wait for a used Innuos Zen Mk3 to come up for sale.  Excellent performance and customer support, and the newest Sense software upgrade is getting rave reviews. Naim?  Why when Innuos focuses on optimizing streamer/servers?  Get a used Zen Mk3 and laugh all the way to the bank.  Best of luck. 

I love my Aurender.   Upscale has a few models on sale now 

Another vote for the Teddy Pardo LPS node upgrade. Stream only to a separate DAC. Good luck!