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Streamer Value Question Innous vs Bluesound

I am ready to try streaming again after my 1st failed effort.
I had owned the basic Roon streamer. 

I plan to use the Roon with Tidal service but not
the Roon hardware this time around.

I am now comparing the Innuos Zen Mini @ $1,250 v.s. the
Bluesound Vault 2i @ $1,295. 

The better Innuos is about $4,400.
If you add the reclocker and linear power supply to
 the Mini you are also getting closer to $4k.

Now here is my thought: Buy the Vault and plan to find
a DAC upgrade- currently I have an Oppo 205.
This will bring me the better SQ result overall I think.

What have others found?

chorus
agentwja
26 posts
 
Hi 
I have a BLUESOUND VAULT and I became curious about having an external DAC to improve sound quality. I am on a very low budget so I shopped used and purchased a MONARCHY DIGITAL INTERPHASE PROCESSOR and a BEL CANTO DAC2. I stream Amazon Music HD with those now thru to my MFA MAGUS A2 Tube Preamplifier to Meitner MTR101 monoblocks to two vintage BOZAK URBAN speakers. When I added the DIP and the DAC2 I very happy with what I am hearing. I invested only $350. and  I got a whole lot more value in sound quality over and above what was good to start with!
ferrox
86 posts
 
I came from Auralic Aries camp, affordable and very good sounding to LDM servers. Very organic, dynamics, details but engaging sound.
cio52
121 posts
 
I would suggest, if you are going to use Roon then you are wasting money buying the software that comes withr Auralic, Aurender, or Innous, when you could buy the Roon Nuclues. I’m thinking you already have a DAC.

Cost of Roon Nucleus $1400, 1tb SSD $140, Roon Lifetime $700, USB cable $200 + or -. Total cost is $2440. Add a linear power supply $400. I have about 700 CD’s and another 700 favorites from Qobuz so the Nucleus + is not necessary. My DAC is in the Mc C49. Just another way of looking at this. Happy Listening.

jbuhl's avatar
jbuhl
902 posts
 
I agree with @mahler123.  I just have the Bryston BDP Pi / Qobuz but it's the best sounding streamer/service combo I have ever had and Bryston support is excellent.   But the Bryston stuff is pricey.  I kept my eyes open and found a Pi for a little less than $600.  Manic Moose interface is spartan compared to something like Sonos or Roon but the sound is high end.
puntobasta
16 posts
 
keep in mind that the app interface is important in determining the quality of your experience. bluesound os is excellent, play-fi less so. check out naim as both their streamers and app are quite good. 
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