@mitch2 I have NOT found using the Grimm as a Roon core and streamer to detract from overall sonics (YMMV ). I have found just the opposite. Big time. Better put; no worries.
Streamer Comparison and Suggestions
I am considering options for a new streamer for the specific purpose of improving sound quality as a Roon endpoint feeding a DAC.
The set-up:
- networked server/Roon core in a separate room
- connection to my main system using fiber, a converter and LPS
- very short Ethernet cable into dual Bonn N8 switches
- Network Acoustics Ethernet cable then muon filter
- Metrum Acoustics Ambre Roon endpoint/streamer (currently)
- Variety of DACs having USB, S/PDIF, and AES/EBU input options
The Ambre is a Raspberry Pi based device with internal LPS and femto clocking. I am curious whether some of the more expensive, more well-known streamer options may result in improved sound quality as a Roon endpoint feeding my DAC - which is my only goal. I intend to continue using Roon to control Tidal, Qobuz, and my server stored music files so the addition of fancy touchscreens, on-board storage, or optional player software will not affect my decision unless the device also offers improved sound quality.
Streamers I have been considering are in the $5-8K price range and include:
- Sonore Signature Rendu SE (optical or otherwise - USB output only) $5,300
- Innuos Pulsar (USB output only) $7,999
- Auralic Aries G2.2 (lots of flexibility) $6,099
Thanks for any suggestions and specifically any comparisons between the streamers listed above.
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@jonwolfpell @antigrunge2 - Thanks for the feedback. That is the type of support I am looking for and that I remember from when I was using the DX3. I believe you are much more likely to have proactive and responsive support from the companies that are heavily invested in the digital front end side of audio (servers, streamers, clocking, etc.) and that maintain teams of people to work on this stuff. The support issue and newness of servers to Grimm is part of my reluctance to the Grimm MU1 that maybe I need to get over. They have been in business almost 20 years and their first products were digital so they know what they are doing. I wish they had a streamer only product instead of the all-in-one MU1/2 solutions. I am a little concerned with the market longevity of running a server using the computing power from an i3, which is what I believe is in the MU1. Another issue with not having a mature digital line-up is that they are coming out with new products (MU2), so I would hate to purchase the MU1 and then have them come out with a streamer only product that I would be much more interested in. I need to give this more thought. The reports of great sound quality are enticing. |
I upgraded from using my mac mini 2020 i7 as all components of roon to using it to control an Aries G2.1. The difference in SQ was substantial, but don't forget the importance of cables, especially power. It is a little twitchy. I was swapping cables while it was powered on and blew the main usb port and had to ship to Oregon for repair. I also have been unable to get teh lightning app to work on my net, but think it's a bonjour bug in my old router. Last, it draws too much power IMO, even when asleep, and when I turn it off with the switch, and then turn it on, it doesn't connect. I have to a manual sleep cycle to make it work. If I leave the unit switched on but asleep as intended, then it always works. The presence of an aux usb port shoudl be great for playing from an SLC drive for even better SQ, but I need to get an external LPS for that. |
- 49 posts total