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Streamer Selection - Thoughts Requested Please!

I have been talking way to much to myself on my next purchase - a streamer, no DAC. I have reached the point of going round and round with the same three streamers - Innuos Pulse, Auralic G1.1 and Aurender N150.  Mid $3K price range max.  The Auralic G1.1 list just dropping by $1K to $2,249.  The Innuos Pulse list is $3,250 and the Aurender N150 is at $3,500. Would be open to lightly used to upgrade my choices but the upgraded next step in each product line is a significant jump.  

I began streaming with a Blusound Node 2021 Gen 3 which I converted last year with the PD Creative board LPSU and added an SBooster P&P Eco power supply.  This was an improvement in my digital listening using the BS node for the DAC and streaming mainly TIDAL. Six months ago I added a Schitt Yggydrasil LIM (Less is More)  and oh my goodness what a difference overall.  I have the BS Node connected by an ethernet cable to my router.  Use an iPad to run BlueOS and the Tidal app.  The BS node is connected via USB to the Schitt Yggy.  

I don't have a need for storage or playing CD's.  Reading a few threads here have convinced me that a streamer upgrade with my system will provide better sound overall.  How much is certainly an open question but I am willing to go forward.  The rest of my system is a First Watt F8 amp, Modwright LS100 and Modwright 9.0 along with a Clearaudio Concept table and Zu Dirty Weekend Supremes.  

Whats important to me would be the sound quality, an app with solid integration with Apple and TIDAL.  I am leaning to Aurender as their players/transports are "streamers" / no DAC, they seem to integrate well with Apple and the Conductor app gets mixed reviews but mostly is well liked.  I am just not sure if with my present system it makes sense to be over $3K for a streamer, although if down the line I move on from the Yggy, I wouldn't want to then add a new streamer.  

Please jump in with thoughts, suggestions and let me know if I have missed any important criteria or other approaches/audio streamers.  Thanks in advance.....

norust
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,620 posts
 

no rust 

you don't need any additional end point you just plug in the server to your dac

you can run Roon or lms tocontrol the server

 

yes our entry level is $3500 it is a complete Roon core and Endpoint  you need an ethernet connection and a usb cable.

 

Rhbsterno the reason there are so many usb tweeks is because many people  are attempting to use a  LAPTOP OR PC instead of a dedicated server, so you need some of these tweeks to prop up a pc or Mac

 

As per Roon you can direct the cpu to allocate its own core to running the  program 

as per low noise we use a particular intel chip known for low power low noise applications.

It is  not a special chip just one that most people don't use 

Hope that helps

ave and Troy

audio intellect NJ

US importers 432Evo music servers

 

kennymacc
264 posts
 

I have an Ayre Acoustics QX Twenty DAC, with a built-in streamer.  Expensive?  Yes.  But, the built-in streamer is of the highest quality, and the unit sounds extraordinarily refined and amazing.       

campoly's avatar
campoly
53 posts
 

Question on the connectivity out from the streamer to the Yggy DAC as noted by @mrmojo. As I understand it, the Aurender only provides USB out. Should I factor in SPDIF out? - I see that the Lumin Pulse offers SPDIF output in addition to USB. Will the accuracy of the clock in the streamer make the difference in an environment such as mine streaming to the Yggy?

Regarding your last question here, I don’t know the answer to this but I sure would like to. Anyone?

lmr27
15 posts
 

I can vouch for the Innuos PULSE. Best streamer I’ve ever owned. The bonus is their Innuos Sense app (streaming Qobuz). Double bonus is their exceptional support. I’ve even gotten rid of Roon lately. Enjoy your journey!

norust OP
43 posts
 

The streamer selection is done and dusted!  Thanks to all who were part of this thread and offered advice, "coaching" and further education - especially want to thank @lalitk and @blisshifi  

I decided on Aurrender and took my time in searching for a lightly used N200 which I recently found.  It arrived last week and is now up and running.  I am streaming Tidal and experimenting with Conductor which to me is pretty straightforward.  Took the advice offered here and running the N200 in Critical listening mode.  

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