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Roon Endpoint Streamers - Direct Comparisons between Current Offerings?

Have any of you directly compared sound quality between any of the current offerings of streamers when used solely as a Roon endpoint/streamer? This assumes Roon core and any local music file storage is being operated on a separate device (i.e., a separate server).

I have listed several of the current options below and while a few of those offer additional features, such as server capabilities, hosting of local file storage, or operating players unique to their manufacturers (i.e., other than Roon), I am interested in their performance solely as a Roon endpoint/streamer. Other suggestions not listed below are welcome, but please consider a $5K -$10K price range.

Streamers

  • Sonore Signature Rendu SE optical v3.0 - $5,350
  • Auralic Aries G2.2 - $6,099
  • Innuos Pulsar - $7,999

Server/Streamers

  • Aurender N200 - $6,300
  • Antipodes K22 - $9,000
mitch2
fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,502 posts
 

SoTM is good for Room.

mitch2 OP
3,694 posts
 

Good thoughts on the Rose.  Their units have been getting positive feedback lately.  I have owned the Bricasti M5 and while I like the Signature Rendu better, it is still a good unit so bettering the SQ of the Bricasti through the Rose is an achievement. 

gramophone_canada
26 posts
 

I have found that the Melco Server/Streamers in Roon Mode offer some of the finest streaming sound quality. You would be looking at the new Melco N5 - the second from the top Melco N1 model. These are not cheap but nor are they super expensive streamer/servers compared to much of the competition. See if you can get an N5 (or an N1) home to try in your system. Contact Luxman America for your closest US Melco dealer.

benanders's avatar
benanders
222 posts
 

What about Roon’s Titan NUC?

Considerably less expensive than your minimum threshold (chosen why?), and designed by Roon, specifically for being a Roon endpoint streamer.

woots's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
woots
284 posts
 

I have owned 2 different Lumin components and highly recommend their products based on my personal experience.  I would look at the U1X or U2 based on what you are describing. One of the best things about Lumin was the support.  I had some set up questions in order to maximize sound quality and they walked me through all of the settings on the app step by step.  I actually got live support not a chat bot or an "email me your issues and we will get back to you in 48 hours". One other thing I like about Lumin is that they are innovators and constantly push out new firmware updates.  Check out their website and see all the new items they have.

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

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