If you just have an itch to try streaming, you may be surprised how good a WiiM Pro sounds run thru your Pontus …$149 and free return on Amazon
|
@tony1954
sorry. I deleted my post recommending a more expensive streamer than what the OP was looking for. Thanks
|
@xwfalcon Congrats getting to the uber top end with your digital setup. A first A'gon post too. When I made my fist post my system was a work in progress and not very good.
|
@larsend A Sonore OpticalRendu can be bought for under $1500. Infact, I got a used opticalRendu a few months ago for $200 + an EtherGen. I was going to give the EtherGen to recycling so I was very happy.
I have 3 OpticalRendu's. This top end gear for streaming. I have compared with a Lumin X1 and PlayBack Designs Stream-IF. I had all 3 at home at the same time. None of them was the best and they all sounded different.
|
|
Primare NP5 Prisma MK2 is $799 brand new and does not have a DAC.
I am using one with ROON and a Small Green Computer Linear Power Supply upgrade. Sounds better then my previous Bluesound Node 2i for a reasonable price. Really like it's built in Sample Rate Converter which further improves my setup. 30 day trial available from most retailers.
|
I think many missed what your budget is because it wasn’t stated in the original question. Not everyone reads every post
|
I’d get the WiimPro for around $100. The app is great. If streaming is fun and if you feel the need for something more pricey to squeeze out that missing 2% of SQ then go for it
|
Thanks to all. Although I would love to find a used Lumin U2 or Aurender N200, it's too much money for an experiment in streaming.
I don't see how I can go wrong with the Wiim Pro. I think I'll give it a go.
Apologies if I offended anyone with my last post... I'll declare my budget in future original posts.
Andrew
|
@larseand
sorry. I deleted my post recommending a more expensive streamer than what you were looking for. I am very sorry.
|
I’d cast a vote for the PS Audio Airlens.
I’ve seen them used on TMR for about $1,600, new they are $2,000.
I own one now and it’s quite nice. Very good support from PS Audio too.
|
@larseand
Your question asks about music streamers but another follow up question is music streaming subscription services and Applications.
Streaming services offer instant access to millions of songs without the need for physical media or extensive storage space. Streaming platforms offer various subscription plans, including free ad-supported options, making music more affordable than purchasing individual albums or tracks.
For example, I started with Tidal and eventually switched to QoBuz. You search for an album and if you like it, make it a favorite for future listeing. Qobuz offers many curated playlists across various genres, including Jazz, Classical, Pop/Rock, and more. You can also create your playlist for your listening.
I use Audirvana Studio and like it because it enhances audio quality on streamers by optimizing the operating system for audio playback and disabling non-essential services. It functions as a third-party player, scanning local music libraries and integrating streaming services like Tidal and Qobuz. Audirvana offers both subscription and lifetime license models.
Other options are Roon, AURENDER Conductor App, etc. For example, Aurender Streamers include the Aurender Conductor App. So, in addition to the hardware choice, I suggest you spend some time investigating streaming services and applications to run on the hardware of your choice. I hope this helps.
|
ALL GOOD POINTS TO CONSIDER.
Thank you hgeifan.
|
Looks like you have gotten some pretty good advice.
My recent experience down this route --
I got a Pontus 15 the beginning of this year and connected my aurender a10 by usb to the Pontus 15 via WyWires platinum usb. The Pontus 15 is connected to my preamp with cardas clear interconnects. It took 800 + hours of continuous burn in and it really sounds great in my speaker system. It took this amount of time and even more before the brightness in the upper register smoothed out the way I prefer. I stream qobuz and tidal through the aurender conductor app. Note that the a10 cannot be used to connect to Roon.
I also have a headphone system using the aurender N150 connected to the Linear Tube Audio Aero dac with an LTA headphone amp all tubes upgraded to Ray Reserve and connected via WyWires platinum USB and WyWires platinum in interconnect. The N150 is roon ready.
The headphone system is a step up or more but I am amazed at how great the a10 and Pontus 15 sounds.
You can get a used a10, I think online, from The Music Room, Audio Mart etc. for around $1700 or so. Highly recommend with the Pontus 15, but suggest you get solid usb and interconnects like Cardas.
Good luck
|
I agree with the suggestion for checking out the linemann bridge and the primare mp5 mk2. They are within your price range. WiiM Pro is a great option as well - best streaming software hands down!!
Another one that hasn't been mentioned is the Keces eBravo +/- P6 power upgrade. Approx $600/1000 respectively. This has the added advantage of integration with the linkplay system that WiiM uses...
|
SMSL N100 is another brand new entry into the market. Running on volumio which can be kinda annoying to use. Check out their own rivo model too... also the holo audio streamer.
Another one I forgot to mention was the Aune S10 which also uses linkplay/WiiM software.
All within your budget
|
If you need the USB input, the WiiM Ultra is a must try out. If not, the WiiM Pro may do nicely in any comparison you do.
I’m using the WiiM Pro as both it and the plus allow a 5v external LPS, unlike the Ultra.
Additionally, I’ve added two Cisco Meraki with fiber and transceivers in those boxes leading to the WiiM Pro. It’s quite an outstanding bang for the buck.
(Removed the power supplies inside the Cisco boxes, which is simple.)
Last, the ethernet cable is the most important connection to the streamer input. In my setup, I changed the ethernet cables from the router to the first Cisco Meraki and then from the second to the WiiM Pro using Blue Jean ethernet cables. They do make a difference in the impact in my system: BJC Certified Cat 6 Cable, with Test Report, Assembled in USA
Before you commit to $1,000 - $1,500, you deserve to do a comparison in your system. You may be amazed at the results.
|
Havea wiim pro. Looking for a streamer without DAC that is of better quality. does anybody know of some that will receive Amzon music in high bit, that may have a glass ethernet input and rca spdif output? Thanks. None of the units mentioned above mention being able to accept amazon or Apple music streams.
Thanks.
|
WiiM Pro $149. Supports Amazon music which others don't. I've been using it to feed a Schiit Yggdrasil DAC for a couple of years. It's good.
|
Node Icon. It has a DAC but I bypass it to feed my ANK DAC 5.1. Works and sounds great. Software is bulletproof. And if a tube fails in the DAC, plan B is the Node DAC.
My third Node. Can't recommend it enough.
$1,000
|
I agree on Bluesound. It's a proven platform that is easy to use and probably the best bang for the buck.
I've had a Vault 2i since '19 and when it dies I'll will most likely replace with the Icon.
|
I’m streaming Qobuz with an original Auralic Aries into their Vega dac and get very good results, especially like their app. Also using Lumin u1 mini to a Schiit Yggrasil GS which also is very nice, seems the mini is a bit more detailed sound. Of each, I like Auralics app but prefer the minis sound.
|
|
|
PS Audio is running a refurb special on their Airlens.
|
I enjoyed the Musica Capella III very much. It had both I2S and USB.
Not cheap but very clean sound.
Also hearing good things about the Matrix Element S.
|
Don’t waste your time, get an Aurender - you will not be dissatisfied. I cannot recall the model numbers, but was streaming on one of their streamers with a NAD DAC for years. I just upgraded to their flagship which is integrated w a DAC for unrelated reasons. Sound quality is amazing - other than vinyl, you will not be able to tell the difference
|
Since you already have a Denafrips DAC, I'll suggest the Denafrips streamers - Arce or Arcas. They are purist, stripped down devices with a focus on hardware. You will need to bring the software - Roon or JPlay iOS. Add HQPlayer and connect via I2S you'll have a high value/low cost streamer solution.
|
I'll be looking at the new steamers from Matrix Audio. The TT-1 seems to be close to your budget at $1800.
|
Sure, easy to spend some else’s money. 🤑
|
You may want to try inexpensive streamers available on Amazon first, see if you like it. Pick one with coax out. There are plenty.
I did not like streamer experience, all these custom apps, small iPhone or iPad screens, $$$ for Roon. I just feed DAC from my desktop PC with 34" monitor. Ripped all CDs to FLAC years ago. Don't even own anything that can play physical media.
|
I don't want to be that guy that is "hey, it's all 1s and 0s man, it doesn't matter what you stream from", but...
I went from a Bluesound Node to a Roon Nucleus to a Rockna Wavedream NET server. Since I was using the DAC in the Node, it's hard to say how good it was a streamer only. I did not notice any significant improvement in sound quality when moving from the Roon Nucleus to the Wavedream NET. Thankfully the NET does some other great things that the Nucleus doesn't or I would have been kicking myself for how much I spent on the Wavedream.
A friend who had the PS Audio Airlens just did an A/B/C comparison with two of our mutual friends between the Airlens, a Roon Nucleus, and a Bluesound Nano. None of the three experienced audiophiles could tell any difference between the three. The Airlens is gone, replaced by the Bluesound Nano.
My suggestion is to prioritize the features of the streamer over any concerns for sound quality. Does it have the connectivity you want/need? Does your DAC work best with i2s, coax, BNC, etc.? What software platform do you anticipate using - Roon, HQplayer, Conductor, something else? Does it have other appealing features - ripping / playing CDs for example?
The DAC is where all the conversion from bits to analog happens and that's where to prioritize budget in my opinion.
|
Greetings-I'm late to the party here but will offer my two sense in case it is helpful;
-If you are trying streaming for the first time IMO you can't go wrong initially experimenting with a Bluesound or Cambridge Audio product. Both have solid software platforms that have been around for over a decade and are relatively inexpensive. You can bypass the included internal DACs and use COAX out to your Denafrips.
-The stability, ease of use, and feature set of the streaming software, along with native connectivity for the music streaming subscriptions you have is a vital.
Many people use Roon and love it. I am more simple, using Tidal Connect. My wife uses Spotify Connect. My kids use Apple Music. So stable and easy integration with these music services is key for us.
Hardware devices with linear power supplies, high quality capacitors, and the ability to re-clock, minimize jitter, and stabilize the incoming digital signals will make a difference in sound quality.
Having said that, once your experimentation period is over, I'd suggest maybe looking into the Auralic Aries S1 as a next step. Aurender, Auralic, and Lumin all make non-DAC versions of their streamers.
Many folks love Lumin, however I had a Lumin U2 and changed it out because I think it's software is clunky and ugly. It sounded great, but to me the whole user experience is important, and I don't like ugly. I also thought the screen was too small and hard to read.
Another streamer I've owned is the Denon DNP-2000NE. It is solid choice in the $1500 range. Again it has a DAC, but you could bypass it. It runs HEOS which is also very stable.
Matrix, Silent Angel, and Holo all also make lower cost non-DAC streamers. They are all maybe a bit less mature and stable from a software perspective from what I have read.
If you can stretch your budget to $5K you may want to take a look at the Nagra Streamer. It has no DAC and is reported to work and sound great.
Other less prominent brands in the U.S. that have quality streamers with DACs are Atoll Electronique from France and Electrocompaniet from Norway. In particular I really liked what I heard from the Atoll ST300 Signature streamer.
I like the appearance of the Hifi Rose 130 streaming transport, but it runs on Android which causes me to be a bit cautious about it. I have not heard it.
The best streaming deal right now IMO is the Cambridge Audio MXN10 for only $399 new. It has the same fourth generation streaming engine from Cambridge as their top-of-the-line streamers and sounds really good for the money, better than the Node or Eversolo products IMO using COAX out to a stand alone DAC.
Hope this help-all the best with your search for the right streamer for you!
|
|
Does the Airlens work best with PS Audio companions/components...?
|
