2. digital
  3. 136296-7084

Which of these 3 simular streamers do I select - help!

  1. Arcam rPlay ??
  2. Bluesound 2  ??
  3. Aries mini  ??


Hi please help:

I need help choosing a streamer and would prefer it be of the giant killer variety category if possible (I’ll pay a little more to get something better than Arcam rPlay, Bluesound 2, Aries mini, but prefer not to) .

I’ve having trouble finding a review on these streamers that does not factor-in their on-board DAC. I will be using my Benchmark DAC-1, so how do I judge which is the better (pure) streamer? There is also the concern of what pairs best with my revealing DAC and the sometimes mid-bloat of my 300b amp.

Equipment (I listen to Jazz mainly):
  • Benchmark DAC-1 v.G
  • Softone 300b amp with passive PA (whose volume control I will be using)
  • Druid MK IV 101db speakers
I will be streaming mainly Tidal, some flac (NAS), all exclusively via WiFi .

My dilema;
  1. Arcam: appears to have the best fidelity and power supplies of the three, though also heard it unfolds Tidal poorly...
  2. Bluesound Node II: has all the "bells and whistles’ though is 2015 technology and usually comes in 2nd or 3rd and I’ve heard it tends sacrifices natural for smooth.
  3. Aries: Also highly rated, faster pace than Bluesound, though discontinued and hard to find

Thank you in advance
128x128saffy

Showing 2 responses by wtf

wtf's avatar
wtf
307 posts
 
I was in a similar boat a couple of years ago and decided on the Bluesound Node 2. I like the multi-room capabilities of the Bluesound platform among other features (nice app!). While I haven’t heard your other choices, as long as you will be using your Benchmark DAC any perceived differences between streamers should be miniscule. Focus on features, benefits, and negatives of each streamer instead. For example, while researching the Aries Mini I learned there were issues using Apple’s routers, which took it out of the running for me. Best of luck.

BTW, Bluesound does a nice job with the Tidal implementation.

wtf's avatar
wtf
307 posts
 
FWIW, I stream via wifi and rarely have playback issues. Tidal has frustrated more than a few with reliability regardless of wired/wifi connection. They've been very stable as of late in my part of the world.
More to discover