streamer need...........

My thoughts are don't blow the dough before next year's famine. 

But if you got it flaunt it.

@ckr1969   Are you looking for a server or a network player?  I find the generic term "streamer" to be vague.

Buy Aurender N20 and call it a day. Go with what you’re already familiar with, why create unnecessary complexities with another user interface. The N20 is currently the sweet spot in Aurender lineup. If you want to save money, buy the N200 :-)

@lalitk , how much better is the n20 over the n200?  i like the a20 a lot, an i agree about keeping to what you know.  thats why i listed what i have.

also, anyone have experience with the dac in the u300, i have heard its really nice but have not heard it, wonder how it compared to the surrenders

@david_ten   streamer, thats why i listed what i have, i listen to tidal & quobuz

@ckr1969

I have not the heard the DAC in U300 so I cannot comment. One thing I can say about Aurender streamers is this, each model in their lineup offers incremental improvements over the other as you climb up the price ladder. With N20, I would recommend a high end separate DAC to take advantage of N20’s superlative attributes. Before you spend any dime, I would bring over A20 and pair it with U300 via digital coax and see if you find U300 DAC to your liking and how it compares to DAC inside A20. I believe the DAC inside the A20 is probably superior than the one aboard U300.

Reach out to Colin @gestalt in Nashville. He can assist you with N20 demo. 

Aurender N20. That is pretty easy. Given your integrated. Both my streaming systems have Aurender, W20SE and N100 (headphone system).

Also, same control using Conductor.

I compared the N100 with the N10. Big difference… also big jump from N10 to tne W20SE. I have no question that they have maintained the improvements. The N20 has a much more well developed power supply. One of the most important aspects. My W20SE has the audio circuits run on battery power.

Have you considered staying with Aavik for an in-house pairing? The Aavik S-280 is within your stated budget. 

Review of the S-280 streamer and U-280 integrated by Tom Lyle / Enjoy The Music (September '22)

Aavik S-280 and U-280 review

Wolf and Grimm also get very high marks in that price range in addition to many of the other very fine recommendations above.  Best of luck. 

THere are manufacturers who will make equipment in any price range. Streamers is an area where there is less room to advance.  I found a disappointinly small improvement going from a good $500 streamer to an excellent $4500 streamer.  Not sure there is much to be had going up from there.  

 I found a disappointinly small improvement going from a good $500 streamer to an excellent $4500 streamer.  Not sure there is much to be had going up from there

I respect and appreciate this is your outcome. It does fly counter to what many experienced streamers have reported as they have improved their streamer quality. I wonder what led to your alternative result?

Charles

@carlsbad

Thanks for your comments.

Just to understand, what is your system? There is a place to display it under your UserID. The performace of a streamer is dependent on the rest of your system. So, it would be really helpful to understand the system you are using.

Personally, I have streamed using iPods, iPhones, PCs, MAC laptops (unplugged), as well as streamers from $3K to $22K and in every case higher quality dedicated streamers performed much better than low cost streamers. But of course, it all depends on your entire system.

My system is the Innuos zenith mk 3 streamer to Chord Dave Dac to Decware ZMA 25th anniversary. I focus on a system with great resolution and soundstage.  I know you won't make a decision based on my input.  I'm just a data point.  Best of luck.

Certainly the Grimm If you want to have an as good or hopefully better performance than the present.
I haven’t heard your Burmester or Aurender, hence I add the word ‘hopefully’.

I have not heard the Grimm MU 1. It has developed quite an impressive word of mouth reputation from those familiar with it. Seems to be a legitimate contender in the upper tier of music servers/streamers. 
Charles

I recently picked up a pre-owned Antipodes EX for £2,000 (new they were £4,500) and very happy - it cleans noise on the incoming ethernet and outputs via USB or ethernet but can be expanded.

It's quite a versatile unit which can be used in lots of different ways - streamer/roon end point/roon server and even as a DAC but the latter probably not best.

I added a "P2" which expands the outputs from ethernet and USB to include I2s coax / aes etc. 

@david_ten , good call, i have a u180 and s180 at my condo, like it a lot, easy app to use as well, i found a s280 used, for about $7k, i may go with that an be done with it

however, i am going to move my aurender a20 over to the u300 and compare it with its dac before deciding,

For Qobuz and Tidal just get what i have, Aqua LinQ with HQPlayer module and a Roon Rock NUC.