Streamer Recommendation
Which Server? Judging by sound quality only and assuming the prices were the same, would you choose an Aurender W20, a Lumin X1 or the Antipodes CX+EX. I realize the Lumin X1 includes a dac and the others do not. Sound quality only please, not if it supports Roon or the ease of use of it’s user interface. I know, I know, having any of these is a great problem to have. Thank you for your thoughts
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Hi basme85, Unless your system is holding back, digione even signature version that I have is 70% and Nuprime Omnia S1 is 80 if the Antipodes EX alone without the CX is 90% .. I am still having all 3 in my system. I need to share this as you are comparing usd300 digione signature with a 10x costlier usd3500 antipode EX which is sadly not realistic and most of all misleading. Cheers. Richard |
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You don't need to spend a lot of money. Take the Allo DigiOne Player for example. Also Check out the discussions on streamers at Audioasylum.com https://darko.audio/2017/08/allos-digione-pulls-five-star-sound-quality-from-the-raspberry-pi/ |
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If I had a Lumin X1 I would first spend the $200 to buy this https://www.ui.com/unifi-switching/unifi-switch-8-150w/ to see if Fiber optical is actually noiseless. The X1 is already ROON READY so this could potentially be the simplest and cleanest sounding stream. I am not making any statements on the sound of the DAC, just the noise on the stream. |
The Lumin X1 is a network player (streamer with DAC) which puts it in another category of products. / Marcus, www.perfect-sense.se |
W20 has been replaced by W20SE and it remains one of the best server money can buy. There are some very unique features aboard W20SE that allows user to experience the most engaging and natural soundstage, utterly honest to its source. The noise floor is non-existent. One needs to have a very capable DAC (DCS or MSB) to extract every ounce of goodness from W20SE. IMO, SQ at this level of gear is very subjective and system dependent. I would try to audition at least couple of servers and decide which server you prefer the most in your system. I would also add Innuos Statement to the above list. Based on what i’ve heard, Aurender and Innuos are the two best servers currently available in North America. The two lesser known but excellent offerings from Europe are Pink Faun’s Streamer 2.16x and Taiko SGM Extreme. Good luck! |