Streamer options

Try Cambridge Audio CXN V2.  I have a CXN V1. It's everything you need in a steamer, almost any input and output combination available. Sound is amazing. 

innuos zen

Zavato, I might suggest you take a look at smallgreencomputer.com. They specialize in the streaming side of audio.  They make excellent product and have excellent service.  There are many ways to solve the streaming solution.  Their website provides a lot of good information to sort out what you need and how they might use their products to help you create your solution.  I personally use my iMac as a digital music server running Roon, and Qobuz as my streaming service.  I feed my DAC, a Vinnie Rossie LIO DAC2, through the SmallGreenComputer microRendu.  I am very pleased with the quality of the solution.  Good luck with your search for a streamer.

Both statements can be true at the same time. Nad might be better, in terms of components and layout etc. but that doesn’t mean it has to sound better. I have no experience with Nad, so my comment is not an opinion one way or another.

@aberyclark - So I posed the Bluesound Tech Support this question...

- whilst I really liked the Bluesound Node 2i, if you were to put it in a larger box, upgrade the power supply and revise internal component layout for improved isolation to lower noise levels, the sound could be amazing - so is a larger Node 2 in the works?

His reply...
- If you want all of those things - Buy a NAD

So I assumed the NAD is better. :-)

Regards

I read a couple years back that the Node 2 sounds the same as the NAD (same company owns) streamer. 

I have the 2i and with the right cables it performs way above it's very reasonable price point.

However, whilst the Node 2i is an exceptional value I have had communications from Bluesound that if a higher quality streamer is desired then the NAD range may be able to improve on sound quality.

But that is the limit of my experience on streamers

Regards - Steve   

+ 1 for the Bluesound Node 2i.  Not very expensive and you can bypass the DAC easily.  

If you have DSD files that you will be accessing thru streamer (nas storage, etc), just know the Bluesound does not support. If non DSD, the Node is great for the money. I no longer have mine because I have all my SACDs ripped.

If your service is Tidal or Qubuz look at a Bryston Pi.  Manic Moose aint to good but it really not an issue for just streaming a service.

Probably Lumin U1 Mini

Budget is flexible- for the right piece - 

like to stay under $2k 

Bricasti M5

Ok, let me take care of this.  

Budget????

^^^Both Bluesound Node and Aurender offers SPDIF outputs. 

Budget?

Bluesound Node should fit the bill.
Inexpensive and carries lots of streaming services.
Aurender if you only need Tidal or Qobuz.
Though, no SPDIF. USB and Optical seem to be the most used formats.
Bob

What is your budget?