The Grim U1 is also a good sounding streamer, but I would still choose the Aurrender N20… but I could be happy with either.
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MU2 is a lower price than the Bartok
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Yes if your budget permits Grimm MU1 or MU2. Wow.
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The MU1 excellent. I compared it to the Innuos statement at the time of purchase. The MU2 has a DAC as well.
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I use an Auralic Aries G2.2 as my Streamer. Dac is a Chord DAVE.
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My first streamer was an Aurender N100H - a very YUGE upgrade from PC-based source.
Then I tried a different brand.
Now, like the prodigal son, I've returned to Aurender - the N20 w/SSD (4TB) is absolutely "real and spectacular"! (h/t Teri Hatch)
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Good day,
I purchased a WIIM pro recently, I think it is an excellent budget streamer. I have a Topping D70 Octo dac paired with a Shiit Midgard. I get resolution from Roon up to 196 gb. All in under $800. It’s pretty good for the coins.
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Eversolo A8. Love all the features. I really like the ARC in which greatly improves youtube video performances. Sounds great as a preamp. Replaced my tube pre. Ripped all my cds to the internal SSD. Couldn't be happier.
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I love my Naim Uniti Nova - they just released a new model (Nova PE) with more power. Roon ready, and great high res streaming internet radio, plus Tidal and Qobuz, Spotify, etc. - I ripped my CDs and have purchased hi res digital I play through Roon that sounds amazing through the Nova. They have other models (Atom, Star) depending on your needs.
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Auralic Aries S1
Auralic Vega S1
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I never used dCS Mosaic but I can say that Aurender Conductor and Lumin app are completely different animals. Aurender provides a much better user experience than Lumin, it’s more user friendly and has better features. Lumin redesign is way overdue. It’s just not good.
My recommendation, based in my own experience, is to use a separate dedicated streamer.
Or if you want top notch UI/UX with dCS go with Roon but that in most cases comes with a slight sacrifice in sound quality…you need to test it and determine for yourself.
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I recently got an Eversolo A8 streamer/DAC and really like it. Easy set up, supports Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify and others. Also can stream from USB devices or, an internal SSD up to 4tb (not included, user installed). Sounds great to me (I had tried the Cambridge Audio CX100 but sent it back as it was hard to use and sounded too bright for me). At $2k I felt the A8 is a good value.
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I also went from a BS Node (N130) to an Aurender, but I still have the Node and I happily listen to it in another system.
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I do not know your budget. I highly recommend the Linn Klimax DSM streamer with Organik DAC and Utopik power supply. It is amazing!
For less budget, the Linn Selekt Edition hub with single stereo or dual mono Organik DACs is also outstanding.
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Playback Designs MPS-X streamer and MPD-8 DAC. Both cannot be beat.
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I own a DCS Bartok apex and have been very satisfied with the purchase. In my system to my ears, it is rock solid reliable and delivers a sound that is detailed and musical- the opposite of clinical. I’ve owned mine for a few years and there have been two significant upgrades, The first was free and the second had a cost, which upgraded my unit to the Apex version. Both of these upgrades were substantial improvements, and DCS has a good record of making upgrades available as technology Improves. This provides you with a certain degree of future proofing, which is very important considering that digital technology improves pretty quickly. The first upgrade was in the software which made available improvements that originally appeared in more expensive versions of the product line. The second upgrade was both hardware and software and really was a significant leap forward.
Before I made a decision I auditioned the Bartok against a few others and obviously preferred it, but as with most every component, sound is entirely subjective and I encourage you to listen for yourself if at all lpossible., Unsurprisingly, most folks will recommend what they chose for their system, but what I like and what you like may be very different. While the DCS sound is, to my ears, superb, that is just a subjective opinion. Objectively, I can tell you that my ownership experience has been very positive. The Bartok has been very reliable and the commitment to making significant upgrades available is appreciated. Other manufacturers might do this as well, and I think that is an important consideration,
good luck!
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Have you heard of ideon from grease try
their EOS streamer or if the budget permit
the absolute stream will blow you off the
absolute is compared to the taiko but at
a better price.
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When I was in the market for a streaming DAC, I auditioned (amongst others) the Bartok streaming DAC, extensively. But, I ended up preferring the overall sound qualities of the Ayre Acoustics QX-5 Twenty streaming DAC over the Bartok, and the others. The QX-5 Twenty’s streamer is excellent, as well. I also thought the QX-5 Twenty was a much better value for the money than the Bartok, and some of the others. I’m extremely happy with the Ayre Acoustics QX-5 Twenty streaming DAC, and it’ll probably be my last DAC/streamer. Happy listening.
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The dCS Bartok is absolutely fantastic! I’ve had Maine for 4 years and got the Apex upgrade last year. As both a DAC and streamer it’s ideal.
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Correction. I first took CD’s and ripped ‘em to flac. Flac files now on streamer on a SSD disk. I’m usung Roon.
Search these fora and you will find great in depth information.
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Back when I said streaming was secondary too. The CD’s are now boxed up. Just saying.
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I really like Aurender. I went from a Bluesound to Aurender and in a good system it is definitely worth the expense. Build quality is over the top and support has been great the few times I've need it.
'm still enjoying the Vault in a second system and I'm sure when it dies ill replace with a BS Icon.
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I highly recommend listening before buying. dCs is very polite sounding and a bit clinical. If you like that kind of sound, great. But it leaves me unmoved.There streamer is also very dependent on the incoming signal, so hardwiring it is a must, or it sounds tinny..
A good Aurender or Lumin streamer should sound as good as your CDs or better. Since Quboz has half a million high resolution albums… those should sound better.
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you should look at the Burmester 151mk2, excellent player and streamer, preamp stage is superior over all 3 you listed and so is overall performance
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