Updating my streamer

I love my N200. A200 is a nice matchine. They just announced the A1000 streamer /DAC. Looks nice for $3500.

432 evo servers beat aurender and are upgradable add a chord quetest micro dac

and you have an amazing

sever 3500 plus $1595 dac outstanding  combo and you get a cd ripper a built in 2 tb hard drive and a great outboard dac, so you can still access your CDs 

 

Dave and Troy

Audio intellect NJ

432evo dealers and chord dealers

I would go with a manufacturer that specializes in streamers.   As in it’s the only thing they focus on.  Aurender , Innuos, Antipodes….  Bluesound and the aforementioned ones will be around for a while    Will the folks that support 432 EVO be around in a year or two?    

@oddiofyl 

"Will the folks that support 432 EVO be around in a year or two?    "

Doesn't matter. The spiel changes to suit the inventory.

yes oddiofi  we are supporting them and the manufacturer is supporting them 

 

no spiel has changed our Aeon has outperformed an aurender n10 and n12 

 

matched a 27,000 Innous statement next gen

all you have to do is to demo one and you will hear what everyone of our clients have heard 

 

 

Support is fantastic with Innuos and the Sense application get better with every single update, like getting a new Zenith with each update. Also can run Roon if that is your preference. 

That Evo looks like an off the shelf PC so that alone is a hard pass for me.  

Aurender hardware is well thought out and refined.   Build,fit and finish is instrument level quality,  support has been great, sounds fantastic,  keeps getting better with every revision of the app or hardware.  

Innuous in my limited experience are nice machines with a very good interface. 

@bortonj IMO going with the best possible DAC that has a built in network card and is Roon ready is probably a better approach than going with a streamer that has a built in DAC. Look into Bricasti M3 with network card. You can use Roon or Mconnect (free app). Roon sounds better though. 

I’ll throw the Lumin D2 with the SBooster out there as a solid option. I love mine and haven’t looked else where yet. I have a smaller listening room and consider my amplification top notch. Sound is full without harshness and the best I’ve heard digital sound. With that said I am not after making my digital sound like analog. That’s what my turntable is for. With my Lumin it delivers fantastic music that never feels forced or overly done. 

Like you I just added streaming capabilities to my vinyl 2-channel system. I highly recommend Innuos. I got the Zen Mini Mk3 which is the entry point into their product line. Built in DAC to get me going. Fabulous transport to connect to a better DAC somewhere down the road if I choose. Sense app fully functional and FREE. I am currently evaluating free demos of Tidal, Qobuz and Roon.

Innuos ZENith mk3 user here. Moved the Node to secondary system. 

But you would need a separate dac. Gustard has the R26 and A26 dacs, both featuring streaming. That should be a big jump up from the Node for less than 2k. Reason I am not certain is I do use the A26 but with the Innuos streamer, hence not sure how well the Gustard streaming works. Check out reviews.

For me, I believe the best value out there is a used, high end Lumin (like a U1).  You can get them for about 0.35 on the dollar and the power supply is really great.  I bought one about a year ago becuase my Mac Mini (which was my streamer) had a issue with mutiple users so I bought the Lumin to remedy that.  

 

I was surprised at the difference in sound quality and I was not expecting any difference.  I bought it for a purly ergonic point of view, initially. 

 

One thing with Aurender is they aren't as flexible as your Node.  For example, they are not Roon ready, if that matters to you.

 

 

@baylinor I've used my R26 for streaming and the sound quality is quite good.  I preferred it to streaming with my Node.

The R26 has no streaming software, so I used Audivarna installed on a laptop.  The Gustard is hard wired to the router.  Laptop connects by Wi-Fi. I used this method until I bought my Innuos Zen Mk3. 

Our internet is prone to dropouts despite being high speed. The Audivarna and Gustard would sometimes stutter as a result. Not often. The Innuos must have a huge buffer because I can unplug the router and it just keeps playing. 

The sense app is definitely Innuos strong selling point. Easily the best app around with Bluos. It looks like Gustard might be best with Roon, as it is Roon ready.

"Our internet is prone to dropouts despite being high speed. The Audivarna and Gustard would sometimes stutter as a result. Not often. The Innuos must have a huge buffer because I can unplug the router and it just keeps playing. "

@sls883 

That's actually super interesting to know!

I moved from an Aurender N10 to an Innuos Zenith and I am really glad that I did, mainly because the software is much better, and the sound is comparable. My point is that the software is a big part of the experience and should be a deciding factor. Unfortunately, Innuos does not include a DAC in the majority of their units, so it might not be a contender. 

+1 @zlone 

@sls883 from Innuos:

 New Custom Motherboard with reduced EMI
⦿ Dual Ethernet Ports for LAN and Streamer with dedicated isolation transformers
⦿ Innovative Triple-Linear Power Supply with ultra-low noise regulators and premium Mundorf Capacitors
⦿ 8GB RAM (4GB Dedicated for RAM Playback)
⦿ Asymmetrical isolation feet
⦿ Ultra-low Noise USB Audio Output
⦿ SSD Storage with newly improved vibration and EMI treatment
⦿ Quad-core Intel CPU
⦿ Can be used as Roon Core (Optional)
⦿ Medical-Grade Mains Filter

It's important to choose a streamer whose app supports the streaming services that you choose to use.  I stream from Amazon HD and Idagio.  The only app I have found that supports both of these services is the BluOS.  So although I'd like to move to a higher end streamer,  I opted instead to upgrade my Node2i with a TeddyPardo LPS; the improvement in SQ was significant.  I'm using the digital out from the Node into a PS Audio Directstream DAC moded by APS Audio (JeffRichards). I don't know how much improvement I might get from a higher quality streamer,  but it's a moot point if I can't stream the services I want. So my advice is to take that into consideration when choosing a streamer. 

So true.

I use Innuos ZENith mk3 for Qobuz and Tidal.

Auris Blume HIFI bluetooth for Amazon music.

Fire stick TV for you tube concerts.

 

@tkrtrb125 That would explain things. Thank you.

@bigfatpaulie 

Aurender is now roon ready.

@skids I stand corrected!  That's a new (to me) feature and something VERY welcome (IMHO)!

I’ll bet if the dealer carried Aurender he would change his view on what sounded best. It’s always amazing what they recommend is always the best.

I have also thought most other high end streamers sounded better than aurenders. I bought the Auralic Aries over the then top of the line Aurender. The Lumin and Lightning DS software was much better than Aurender software.

If you don’t use usb (which I haven’t since owning the Auralic), and you use Ethernet to the dac, you don’t need any special server to run Roon or Audirvana. 
Since no server is better than any other server/streamer at reading bytes off a disk, the only thing you are buying a server when using usb to the dac is if the server has enhanced the usb connection. 

Since I switched to i2s to the dac and my server is in a different room running Roon, I bought a streamer that gets my server data from wired Ethernet and outputs to i2s, no disks are attached. This streamer is an end point in Roon.

All these streamer/DACs recommended by folks are a "big step up" from the Node. However, I just recently saw that Bluesound is upping their game with a new streamer/DAC having a 5" screen, a better DAC implementation, and low noise power supply. Called the NODE Icon, it puts a pair of ESS ES9039Q2M into a dual mono D/A conversion circuit and powers it internally with an ultra-low-noise power supply. ~$1000 USD. Maybe worth considering.

It also will support Dirac room correction software but you'll have to have you own Dirac license and calibrated microphone to set that up if it interests you. 

oddfio 

 

the 432evo depending on model uses an sotm usb card and clock with all  custom software  with a tweaked low noise motherboard with two external s booster power supplies  software the  only thing pc like is the case. 

and as stated we have outperformed many Aurender and Innous models

 

Dave and Troy

Audio intellect NJ

432evo dealers

Which Node do you have? If it’s an older one, the new Icon Node will be out soon with a much improved DAC. I have a NODE where I have changed out the PSU and use an external DAC via USB. I understand that you may want to save space, but you may find that your Node is an adequate streamer and what will make the biggest difference is spending what funds you have available on a DAC (and decent connecting cable).

 

That being said, both my audio guys speak highly of the Hifi rose, and I heard it in a system at upscale audio when demoing preamps as well as the house streamer in the showroom of my main dealer that he uses when just working in his office that is to the side of the room (he has better ones but appreciates the ease of operation) and in both cases it sounded really good.

Surprised that Auralic is not getting a mention, Altair G2.2 for example or Vega G2.2, both very capable units

OP never specified a budget.  The streamers that he mentioned seem to be at least $4K.  For about 1K the Cambridge Audio Units are great.  The just changed DACs to ESS.  Great support for streaming services and pod casting and Internet Radio.  App is great.  I use the AirPlay and Chromecast features a lot

@audiotroy Will you ever stop trolling posts to try to sell your gear?  We realize that you follow the proper protocol by letting us know that you are dealers for whatever you're pushing.  But please tap the brakes on your continual banter that the components someone is considering don't hold a candle to the components that will put some coin in your pocket.

Personally I think @audiotroy has been pretty good at adding value to the conversations here and not going over the line of outright selling. I am sure it is a difficult line to walk.

I have a 432 EVO High-End. When I first came across their website I was fascinated with the company's approach to frequency, however, the computer aesthetic of the hardware itself didn't appeal to me. I did end up buying a roon Nucleus.. not that different, in some ways. I learned to appreciate the set it up and forget nature of the Nucleus. The EVO has that going for it too. It just disappears in my cabinet. I have my amp and my iPad to satisfy my tactile needs. There is no wireless which may be a dealbreaker for some. It sounds fantastic. I'll leave it to others to compare against other higher end streamers - it's a big step up from my Nucleus and the other streamers I've owned.

If the A 200 is anything like the N 200 in quality, you’ll love it! 
 

All the best.

Hello everyone - thank you all for all the suggestions - just to add more info - my budget is around 5-6k or so.  The Node I have is about a year old.  I typically my steamer to play Tidal using Tidal connect - I have used the BluOS app but typically Tidal connect is my preferred use.  I know Aurender is adding Tidal connect soon - I do not have a digital library at this point.  Just streaming and vinyl.

I'm going to suggest another option here...the Eversolo A8.  It's a streamer DAC and can be used as a preamp as well   I had a node 2i I was using it as just a streamer going into my Hegal H90 integrated and the A8 is simply in a different league.  It is uses akms latest chipset.  It is very smooth but still has lots of detail with a wide and deep soundstage.  There is just something right about the sound...I always feel I'm getting every bit of information in the recording.  Highly recommended.

Guys here is another  endorsement on the 432evo servers:

 

https://ag-forum.herokuapp.com/discussions/streamer-server-to-replace-innuos-zenith/post?postid=2241776#2241776

 

Hi jmphotography,

 

I would recommend demoi’ng the 432 EVO AEON server which I just upgraded to (from Innuos Zen MK3):

 

• I initially wanted to upgrade from Zen MK3 to Zenith MK3, or just buy an Innuos Phoenix re-clocker to add to the Zen.....until, by chance, I heard about the EVO AEON (https://432evo.be/index.php/432-evo-aeon-music-server/ )

• I then read some credible audiophile impressions via this thread: https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/new-to-the-forum-high-end-music-server-with-roon-core-and-3-x-dedicated-linear-power-supplies.30813/  and from another audiogon forums thread, where the sole US dealer, the New Jersey (Jersey City) based Audio Doctor, also posted about why he thought it was great, and why he stopped being an Innuos dealer as a result: https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/help-choosing-a-roon-core-streamer-server-roon-vs-innuos-vs-wyred4so

• Bottom line- this all aroused my curiosity and I contacted Audio Doctor for a trial.

• My mind was made up on day one - the Aeon was better than the Zen MK3 in every aspect, including the quality of CD rips. It has a higher quality ripper which takes 12 minutes per CD to rip, and when I tested it with my 007 Spy Who Loved Me soundtrack CD, which was recorded poorly, the results were better than with the Zen ripper (not to mention the audio quality). I suddenly heard things on that CD rip that I never heard before. Dynamics were superior.

• Crucially, the Aeon has inbuilt re-clocking technology, which Innuos offers only at the Statement level...as well as a superior dedicated USB output, so that was another steal. The results of that are very evident in the unit's audio quality. It is definitely a step up from the Zen (and according to audiophiles who have owned the Zenith MK3, a step up from Zenith as well if using the USB output- actually they say it is competitive with either the Statement or the Zenith + Phoenix combo). Price before state tax is $7800. This official reviewer for example suggests at the very end the Aeon is better than the Zenith: https://topnewreview.com/432-evo-aeon-review/

 

What really tipped the scales for me were the following factors:

 

• The AEON is "upgradeable"- what this means is that if one day you wish to upgrade to the $16,000 AEON Master (which people are saying is almost as good as the Taiko Extreme), then all you would have to do is send your AEON unit to the manufacturer, and pay shipping plus the original cost difference between your AEON and the Master. So overall, the AEON is, in my opinion, a better investment because Innuos does not offer anything like that. If you wanted a Statement today, you would first have to sell you Zenith on the used market for less than the value you got it for.

• More importantly, its CPU is powerful enough (in fact, purpose built) to run Roon Core just like Antipodes and other renowned Roon core streamers (as you know, for Innuos, the units below the Statement have an "iffy" record with being run as Roon cores, including with regard to sound degradation), and also, uniquely, for EVO 432, if you are into Tidal MQA, then an MQA-capable DAC is not necessary because the company has developed proprietary upsampling technology to handle the second MQA unfold (roon does the first MQA unfold)- read here: https://www.facebook.com/432evo/posts/breaking-no-mqa-dac-required-for-432-evo-customers432-evo-customers-can-now-enjo/1837522899612468/

• The AEON is also tuneable (similar in a sense to other components' DSP functionality); it comes with 2TB standard vs Innous 1TB; and comes in a greater range of models to better accommodate clients- there are two models below the AEON at 3k and 4k. More here: https://432evo.be/index.php/432-evo-aeon-music-server/

 

The rest is history. I am expecting my AEON unit to be delivered very soon (each unit is custom/purpose built). My humble advice is to demo this unit and find out for yourself.

 

Cheers!

 

Dave and Troy

Audio intellect NJ

432evo dealers