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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
amg56's avatar
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amg56
887 posts
 
@saffy For what purpose? Are you playing via Bluetooth active speakers? Or via amp?
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.
saffy's avatar
saffy OP
81 posts
 
I'm playing via amp.

saffy's avatar
saffy OP
81 posts
 
I'm hearing that Ethernet extenders slow down speed somewhat.

Does that matter?  Is the only thing that does a consistent signal?
kalali's avatar
kalali
1,977 posts
 
I wouldn't worry too much about the wireless vs. wired connection unless you already have access issues using your mobile devices around the vicinity were you'll be locating your streamer. We have a two story house with the modem upstairs in a corner (office) room and the Node2 downstairs in the opposite corner. of the house No connectivity/streaming issues since I've had the Node2, around 3 or so years. Worry about it if/when you actually run into any issues....or if your audio system is in a basement way out of the reach of the (wifi) signal. Like I said before, a cheap way to try the hypothesis is getting a Chromecast Audio plus an optical cable (mini one side) and see how it works for you. You may like the sound so much that you may not consider anything else. It just sounds too good to only cost $35, especially when fed through a decent external DAC.
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