Streamer Upgrade

Hello. You may want to try the Metronome DSS network player and streamer. Quite an improvement compared to the BS Node (more clarity, more details, sharpened sound but no fatigue).

@willg1985, first let me ask you, what do you want your music server/streamer to do? Does it need to be an all in one box with its own built-in LPS, RFI filters, a variety of inputs and outputs, and some kind of screen so that you can see the music that you’re playing? Or do you want a simple computer that just helps you pick the music you want to hear? I ask because I read that you’re using a MacMini as your Roon core and Bluesound Node 2i with a Teddy Pardo power supply. 

I started music streaming with my Roon core on my MacBook Pro laptop, and I used a USB cable to plug directly into my Chord Qutest DAC. Yes music did come out of my headphones. But this setup definitely was not optimal when it came to sound quality. What I did realize is that Roon’s software had the best user interface that I had tried. So I asked my audio gear dealer which was the easiest music server to use and which one had the best sound? And he said that the Roon Nucleus was the easiest to set up and use, and that any music servers sound would be almost completely dependent on how good the surrounding components were, with the DAC being the most important piece in any listening chain. 

 Now from here on out there really is no absolute right way to go because internet music streaming is not an exact science. But for what you’ve got now I’d say replace the Schitt Gungnir and get the best DAC that you can afford before looking for a way to replace the MacMini and the Bluesound Node 2. Because whatever server/streamer you have the internet stream still has to go through your Gungnir DAC. I hope this helps.
 

What does everyone think of the Naim Uniti Atom?

Thanks @adasdad. I actually just bought a Schiit Yggdrasil that gets here tomorrow. I will still be looking to upgrade my streamer. I'm all in on streaming. I think a display would be great and that's one thing I like about Auralic. It also needs to be able to do Spotify connect for the wife. The Mac Mini doesn't do any streaming direct, all of that comes through the Node. The Node is connected via coax to my DAC. 

@willg1985 Unless they recently changed gears, Auralic doesn't support Roon. 

IMHO check out Sonore Rendu line of streamers. They are all Roon Ready. I've moved up from a low cost microRendu to the opticalRendu and haven't heard anything that beats unless you're ready to spend on top models like Grimm or higher Aurender models. Cheers,

Spencer

OP,

Congratulations on the Yggi ( I evaluated DACs for a friend… bought a Gungnir to test my theory and then got him a Yggdrasil). Remember it will need a couple hundred hours of breakin. I used to own a Aurlic Aries G2. It is hard to criticize, it has a great interface. I prefer Aurender… but they are both good. I prefer a box to plunk down and use instead of screwing around with other software (like Roon). I want and audio system that just works… like my Aurender.

Just in case this comes up. If your router is not near your system (which is why I bought the Aries, it wasn’t)… just buy a wall wart wifi extender and plug it in next to your streamer. I have a fantastic system running this way… and know of many others. I found the Aries really unreliable… as far as signal, needed constant rebooting… and the sound quality is much better in my two Aurender. Ok, I admit it, I did not have a good experience with my Aries.

my Bluesound 2i was sounding outstanding last night. i upgraded the stock power cord and use an external DAC.

If you have the budget for it, you should check out the Cary Audio DMS series that begins with DMS-600.  I have the original DMS-500 which sounds awesome.  They are really leaders in that technology and it works flawlessly and the DAC would be worth the price tag alone.  Good luck with your journey.

Love it @malibu457 

@ghdprentice thanks for the advice! It is close and is hard wired. That made a biggggggg difference. 

Willg,

Since you have the Yggi on the way, I'd definitely give it a shot with the Node. I have mine wired directly from my switch with a Supra Cat 8+ ethernet cable, and go from the Node to the Yggi with a nice USB cable (again I use Supra Excalibur). For my taste it was "almost enough".....until I added a DDC

@silverfoxvtx1800 Naim Uniti Atom is ok and the Nova ok plus plus for what they are.  I have an Atom (for the output wattage).  Obviously the Naim Uniti Atom isn’t separates but could you get computable separates for the price? I’m not touching that one? Bueller? Bueller/?

I love spinning records and enjoy the sound quality. Been streaming since the early days started with a PC, went to Cocktail Audio unit better then PC, then Roon which is better then Cocktail unit now with Lumin T2 best yet for me. Still play plenty of records but this T2 matches my records. C2600 tube pre, MC275's in parallel, VPI TT to Klipsch Forte III's no need to list CD, Tuner, Cassette:) 

Just wanted to say that I appreciate all of the feedback on this. I ended up picking up a used Yggdrasil and am in love. Still going to do a streamer upgrade in the not too distant future but I'm really loving my system at the moment. Thanks again!

-Will

OP,

Congradulations. The Yggdrasil is a really good DAC for the new component price. Obviously, used, even better. It is best to spend time with each new piece of equipment, enjoy the upgrade and become intimately familiar with your systems new sound.

The Yggdrasil sets you up well to purchase a high end streamer and get the most out of it when you get there.

Happy listening.

Update for anyone that cares: I ended up getting a HIFI Rose 250. I don't need the DAC as I have the Yggy but the display and deal I got, I figured I'd try it. I'm super happy that I did! This is only day one but has been a significant upgrade. One that I was unsure about months ago when I made this post but I'm super happy with how this turned out. Thank you all for your input! I appreciate you all!

Congratulations! Cool. The Yggdrasil is a great DAC, glad to hear the Rose complements it in your system.