Streamer Selection - Thoughts Requested Please!


I have been talking way to much to myself on my next purchase - a streamer, no DAC. I have reached the point of going round and round with the same three streamers - Innuos Pulse, Auralic G1.1 and Aurender N150.  Mid $3K price range max.  The Auralic G1.1 list just dropping by $1K to $2,249.  The Innuos Pulse list is $3,250 and the Aurender N150 is at $3,500. Would be open to lightly used to upgrade my choices but the upgraded next step in each product line is a significant jump.  

I began streaming with a Blusound Node 2021 Gen 3 which I converted last year with the PD Creative board LPSU and added an SBooster P&P Eco power supply.  This was an improvement in my digital listening using the BS node for the DAC and streaming mainly TIDAL. Six months ago I added a Schitt Yggydrasil LIM (Less is More)  and oh my goodness what a difference overall.  I have the BS Node connected by an ethernet cable to my router.  Use an iPad to run BlueOS and the Tidal app.  The BS node is connected via USB to the Schitt Yggy.  

I don't have a need for storage or playing CD's.  Reading a few threads here have convinced me that a streamer upgrade with my system will provide better sound overall.  How much is certainly an open question but I am willing to go forward.  The rest of my system is a First Watt F8 amp, Modwright LS100 and Modwright 9.0 along with a Clearaudio Concept table and Zu Dirty Weekend Supremes.  

Whats important to me would be the sound quality, an app with solid integration with Apple and TIDAL.  I am leaning to Aurender as their players/transports are "streamers" / no DAC, they seem to integrate well with Apple and the Conductor app gets mixed reviews but mostly is well liked.  I am just not sure if with my present system it makes sense to be over $3K for a streamer, although if down the line I move on from the Yggy, I wouldn't want to then add a new streamer.  

Please jump in with thoughts, suggestions and let me know if I have missed any important criteria or other approaches/audio streamers.  Thanks in advance.....

norust

Showing 9 responses by norust

The streamer selection is done and dusted!  Thanks to all who were part of this thread and offered advice, "coaching" and further education - especially want to thank @lalitk and @blisshifi  

I decided on Aurrender and took my time in searching for a lightly used N200 which I recently found.  It arrived last week and is now up and running.  I am streaming Tidal and experimenting with Conductor which to me is pretty straightforward.  Took the advice offered here and running the N200 in Critical listening mode.  

I am really enjoying the N200.  A vast improvement in the sound quality overall.  As noted by @doodlebum I am not hearing any coloration in the music.  I am not having any connectivity issues with my iPad to the Aurrender.  I did make sure I was running the most recent release and its been 100%. Have been using primarily TIDAL but also Conductor.  

@lalitk - I do so appreciate your wisdom and quick response.  Glad I am not wandering down the wrong road! I would definitely jump on an N150 in the low $2K range.  I view the ads here and on US Audio Mart daily and will be vigilant going forward. 

OP here ..... Wow, impressive number of replies to my request.  Very thankful and enlightened.  Appreciate all who have contributed.  A shout out to @peipaul as his experience with several of the streamers I am contemplating and his environment with the Yggy LIM provide me with somewhat of a baseline.  

A clarification on my environment re Apple and a few questions based on the replies -

  • I am streaming Tidal and not Apple Music.  My use of "integrate" with Apple was not the best terminology.  I was referring to having the app provided by the streamer ( i.e Conductor, Sense, etc. ) run on an iPad that is connected via my wireless network to the router.  It seems all the potential selections can accommodate this method. 
  • Question on the connectivity out from the streamer to the Yggy DAC as noted by @mrmojo.  As I understand it, the Aurender only provides USB out.  Should I factor in SPDIF out?  - I see that the Lumin Pulse offers SPDIF output in addition to USB.  Will the accuracy of the clock in the streamer make the difference in an environment such as mine streaming to the Yggy? 

@mattmiller  Thanks for the description of just streaming on the Aurender. Since I am presently only streaming with Tidal and not initially planning on copying or playing music on a hard drive it would make for a very simple start! 

 

@mahler123  I realize this phrase "integrated" with Apple was confusing and not the best of words,  I did clarify this above - about 9 posts up :) but I know this is a busy thread.  Net is that all I meant was having the streamer app ( i.e. Conductor, Sense, etc ) be available to download from Apple and run on an iPad.  All of the final choices I have learned allow for this.  

@cat_doorman Great insight!  thanks... I was wondering the same thing about the hefty $1k discount off list on the Auralic G1.1. The price makes this compelling and agree that the discount did not all of a sudden place a G1.1 in a subpar category.  BTW love your choice of speakers :) 

@audiotroy - I am a new here but believe your above response was directed at comments by @rbstehno so I have linked him by the @ here so he can view your post.  

From your earlier post on page one I see that you are a vendor and from what I could pick up from the verbiage, the streamer you are suggesting is the 432 EVO music server. I have no issue at all with vendor responses and welcome information to assist me in my selection.  In this case I had to take the initiative by doing the work myself to figure out who you were, the product represented and seek out the reviews/info as there were no links in your post.  I had a bit of confusion in following your comments.  I went to the review in the Absolute Sound review and figured out that the $7,800 price for the EVO server you mentioned was EVO's middle tier offering and not their entry level offering.  A bit of time in searching showed that  EVO designates their entry level server as the Standard for $3,500 - which is in my range.  You did point out the platforms upgradeability which would be a big plus. 

Net is the user management software of either LMS or Roon for the EVO is not in my wheelhouse at this time.  I also understand that in addition a to whatever management software is selected, a local player would be required to access Roon or LMS in order to establish the EVO's operating parameters.  I am not ready to take all this on and simply want to add a streamer to utilize Tidal. 

I am sure that EVO servers are top tier products and wish you success in your marketing efforts.  

@lalitk  A voice of reason when it comes to this complicated subject of digital streaming/DAC's and the various tradeoffs!  I appreciate your wisdom on this thread and the knowledge I have gained.  Closer to a decision ........