Help selecting a streamer?

[Matt Lan]

Have the luxury of building out a second system in the office/den. In addition to turntable, would like to access Tidal. I currently use an Aurender N100 in my main system, and it's great.

If I don't need access to my personal digital library (streaming only), what products should I be looking at? Would like something at least comparable to the SQ of the Aurender, if not better?

Thanks in advance for any tips. Will have a DAC to use, so just need the streamer.

Cheers

Matt

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by Matt Lane

Have the luxury of building out a second system in the office/den. In addition to turntable, would like to access Tidal. I currently use an Aurender N100 in my main system, and it's great.

If I don't need access to my personal digital library (streaming only), what products should I be looking at? Would like something at least comparable to the SQ of the Aurender, if not better?

Thanks in advance for any tips. Will have a DAC to use, so just need the streamer.

Cheers

Matt

If you don't require Wifi connectivity and can use either Ethernet or optical fiber, I'd recommend the SOtM UltraNeo for $1200. The sound quality from this is very high.



I have one and I like it very much, the sound quality from it is exceptional. It also have a very good clock in it.

Check out Hans Beekhuizen's review here: https://youtu.be/uADNLgJ3tSA

[Route 66]

What's your budget?

[Projectman]

dCS Network Bridge. Great reviews and I have one on the way. Will report back

[Matt Lan]

Thanks guys - still trying to figure this out (understand technically what I really need).

Budget is 'low as possible' +/- $1K?

Silly question, but my main system has the Aurender, which I run off my Ipad. The Aurender has a single USB out (only), into my DAC. Is there any way or reason I cannot split the USB out from the Aurender, and have a second USB cable routed upstairs into the room for the second system? I am happy with the Conductor app/TIDAL integration, so wondering if in fact I need a new component after all?

In any case, minus the local storage which I am willing to give up, I would like an all-in-one solution that can be run much like the Aurender. I don't want to have to run a computer to do this.

Thanks for the advice and ideas.

Cheers

Matt

[bart]

If you want very decent, for very cheap: Yamaha MusicCast NP-S303.

300€.

Bluetooth, Airplay, streaming services, internet radio.
Cable or wireless.
Has a DAC onboard, but connect it with coax to a good external DAC and you won't believe your ears.
My wife has one in her system. It did a couple of months service in our main system.

[Still-One]

If your DAC has ethernet connectivity then you could try something like a i5 from Small Green Computer. Then all connections are via ethernet to your network.

[Puma Cat]

Bart's suggestion is a good one.

There's also the Sony HAP-S1, just under $1K.



There's also the Cambridge Audio CXN V2...$900. Provides support for Tidal and you can output to an external DAC or use the built-in DAC.

[Matt Lan]

Thanks guys, I will look into each of these. My current thought is to move the K-03 (which has a bunch of inputs) to the second system and use that as DAC.

Would probably then replace the DAC in the main system with a Yggy, based on reviews, sounds like could be an improvement.

Thanks again for the great suggestions. Will research and get back with any questions.

Cheers

Matt

[Formerly YB-2]

Originally Posted by bart

If you want very decent, for very cheap: Yamaha MusicCast NP-S303.
300€.
Bluetooth, Airplay, streaming services, internet radio.
Cable or wireless.
Has a DAC onboard, but connect it with coax to a good external DAC and you won't believe your ears.
My wife has one in her system. It did a couple of months service in our main system.

Thx for the tip, Bart. Think I'll give this one a try. As much as I listen to broadcast FM, it will be fun to compare to internet radio (to say nothing of its other functions). Here's a professional review: https://www.hifichoicemag.com/content/yamaha-np-s303

Edit - Ha....... not available in the USA. Have contacted Yamaha, but won't be surprised if it never makes it to our shore.