2. digital
  3. 179080-171520

Need recommendations for a streamer

I would like to upgrade from a Bluesound Node to a higher quality streamer.

 

The Node sounds fine with my current system, but I am making a second system for my wife, and the Node is going to that new system. I thought I would take the opportunity to upgrade my streamer at this time.

 

My criteria are that it be a streamer only (no DAC/storage/CD player, etc), be able to hook into wi-fi/cloud without a physical wire/connection, have balanced outputs to go to my DAC, and cost less than 2,500 USD. Can anybody think of a streamer that fits this bill?

 

The rest of my system:

DAC: Terminator II

Preamp: Schiit Freya+

Amps: PS Audio M1200 x 2

Speakers: Thiel CS 2.3

 

Thanks.

cowhorn
arafiq's avatar
arafiq
1,599 posts
 

Thanks, @ghasley . I didn't realize that AES/EBU is a balanced design. I always thought that although you can use an XLR cable but it's not truly balanced.

jasonbourne52's avatar
jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 

@fuzztone ​​+1 @hilde45 +1! The Node and the iFi are both competent excellent streamers!

fittebd
101 posts
 

I love the optical isolation from Sonore but I use Roon. Not sure but I think it can do streaming w/o roon. You might need computer then.  Innuos would be nice choice. Hear their app is very good. Ephoney is good too. Not sure of the spelling there 

fredapplegate
95 posts
 

Don't be fast to dump your Freya+. Paired with the M1200s? Yum.

IMHO Try your darnedest to avoid WiFi. Run a cable. (CAT6 is good for about 300'.) It takes time, but you get used to drilling holes through your walls. And floors. And those long drill bits are cool. 
 

 

vonhelmholtz
911 posts
 

Your DAC has an I2s in.  You should find a streamer with I2s output.  Ps Audio is coming out with the AirLens in October for $2K.  It will galvanically isolate from the wired ethernet..not sure about wifi..but personally I prefer wired if I can get rid of ethernet noise and that will be what the AirLens does..then I2s out and that should go directly into your DAC and since  I2s carries all clock information, the DAC doesn't have to reconstruct the streamer's output.

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