Network Audio Players/Streamers
Comments
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The u1 mini with the s booster is as good as the stock u1- Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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I run USB, and have the Oppo for a transport on a coax. I don't care for the sound quality of ethernet...The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD
“When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson -
I would not invest in anything until you give a listen to a Lumin. It's a winner
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Going with Tom's advice with a company that does primarily streaming
That means progressively upgrades firmware and apps for improvement to keep them in their nitch
I've been though NAD with their nodes V1 as they scrapped as it failed
Same with Simaudio as I owned the 780D and they to moved on leaving their Gen1
Lumin has been in the game for a while now and that's what they do
You can buy a progressive companies streamer and add a DAC that you can flip around
If you ever decide to move up a chain, or sell, purchasers will be looking for all the features, not just the brand2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC
erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a -
https://www.sonypremiumhome.com/high-resolution-audio/HAP-Z1ES.php
Check out the HAP-Z1ES which is stupid good. You also can get the smaller unit which I had in the
HAP-S1. This unit has a built in Amp which you can use if you want or use it as a source to your system. It has a smaller hard drive and still sounds incredible.
https://www.sonypremiumhome.com/high-resolution-audio/HAP-S1.phpDan
My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time. -
nooshinjohn wrote: »I run USB, and have the Oppo for a transport on a coax. I don't care for the sound quality of ethernet...
Not sure what you mean by that....(in bold)
All streamers (unless running optical/fiber) have an E cable somewhere in the system, no?
Tom~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~ -
In my rig, only at the PC.
I pull my signal directly from the computer and send it out on either HDMI or USB to the other gear in my rig.
The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD
“When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson -
Ah, carry on...
Tom~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~ -
Another plug here for the BS Node 2i. I've had it in my system for a few years now & not even a single hiccup with it's performance.
I recently got the itch to upgrade but decided to go with the LHY Audio upgraded PSU for the 2i. I must say I'm glad I did! Later I added the iFi iPOWER ELITE PSU along with the iFi LAN i Silencer.
With each addition the performance was kicked up enough that it had me scratching my head about what I was now hearing! The BS app & Tidal app are also tremendous & I love them both. Winner winner chicken dinner!!
"2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up. -
@treitz3 - No doubt that a stock Bluesound Node won’t sound as good as an Auralic. Did you happen to upgrade the power supply on the Node you had? That is a significant improvement, imo.
No disrespect to, or hyperbolic claims against, Auralic / Lumin at all. I just enjoy tailoring the sound by swapping DACs with the Node. I didn’t care for the internal dac, as it sounded very 2-D to me.
Cheers!
CD Players: Sony CDP-211; Sony DVP-S9000ES; Sony UDP-X800M2 (x2); Cambridge Audio CXC
DACs: Jolida Glass FX Tube DAC III (x2); Denafrips Ares II (x2)
Streamers: ROKU (x3); Bluesound Node 2i and Node N130 w/LHY LPS // Receivers: Yamaha RX-V775BT; Yamaha RX-V777
Preamps: B&K Ref 50; B&K Ref 5 S2; Classe CP-800 MkII; Audio Research SP16L (soon)
Amps: Niles SI-275; B&K ST125.7; B&K ST125.2; Classe CA-2300; Butler Audio TDB-5150
Speakers: Boston Acoustics CR55; Focal Chorus 705v; Wharfedale Diamond 10.2; Monitor Audio Silver-1; Def Tech Mythos One (x4)/Mythos Three Center (x2)/Mythos Two pr.; Martin Logan Electromotion ESL; Legacy Audio Victoria/Silverscreen Center; Gallo Acoustics Reference 3.1; SVS SB-1000 Pro; REL HT-1003; B&W ASW610; HifiMan HE400i
Turntable: Dual 721 Direct-Drive w/Audio Technica AT-VM95e cart
Cables: Tripp-lite 14ga. PCs, Blue Jeans Cable ICs, Philips PXT1000 ICs; Kimber Kable DV30 coaxial ICs; Canare L-4E6S XLR ICs; Kimber Kable 8PR & 8TC speaker cables. -
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JB, when I had the BS Node2? I had it and accepted it for what it was. No upgrades other than an upgraded PC.
The internal DAC left a lot to be desired, which is why I upgraded immediately to a MF TV21.
It still left me wanting.
I am no longer wanting, if that answers your question. The price difference was....a lot.
Tom
~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~ -
nooshinjohn wrote: »In my rig, only at the PC.
I pull my signal directly from the computer and send it out on either HDMI or USB to the other gear in my rig.
Mine to, USB to the OPPO..
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Just throwing this out there....
Computers and CDP's are inherently noisy environments.
Tom~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~ -
For those in the know for streaming (I've barely gotten my feet wet) is ethernet from the router then to the streamer a preferred connection method or is there something much better?
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I've tried wifi, usb, and ethernet. Have had virtually no glitches with Qobuz via ethernet to Lumin. Had fairly frequent issues with Tidal via wifi and usb to Auralic. YMMV.
Also, budget permitting, consider putting an Uptone Audio EtherRegen switch between the router and the streamer. New version due out soon; v.1 can be found used (audiophilestyle.com). -
motorstereo wrote: »For those in the know for streaming (I've barely gotten my feet wet) is ethernet from the router then to the streamer a preferred connection method or is there something much better?I've tried wifi, usb, and ethernet. Have had virtually no glitches with Qobuz via ethernet to Lumin. Had fairly frequent issues with Tidal via wifi and usb to Auralic. YMMV.
Also, budget permitting, consider putting an Uptone Audio EtherRegen switch between the router and the streamer. New version due out soon; v.1 can be found used (audiophilestyle.com).
On my Bluesound Node 2i, I’m using a backup SSD plugged into the Node’s USB input (no computer noise, no wi-fi buffering/jitter issues) and using the Node app on my iPhone as remote control for song selection.
If you run ethernet direct from your pc you may (likely will) have noise from your pc come through ethernet.
Wifi from your router should eliminate the pc noise, but buffering and/or jitter issues will be introduced. There are some ways to mitigate the former, but I’m not aware of any for the latter since the signal is not being directly transmitted. I’ll let others speak to these issues, though.CD Players: Sony CDP-211; Sony DVP-S9000ES; Sony UDP-X800M2 (x2); Cambridge Audio CXC
DACs: Jolida Glass FX Tube DAC III (x2); Denafrips Ares II (x2)
Streamers: ROKU (x3); Bluesound Node 2i and Node N130 w/LHY LPS // Receivers: Yamaha RX-V775BT; Yamaha RX-V777
Preamps: B&K Ref 50; B&K Ref 5 S2; Classe CP-800 MkII; Audio Research SP16L (soon)
Amps: Niles SI-275; B&K ST125.7; B&K ST125.2; Classe CA-2300; Butler Audio TDB-5150
Speakers: Boston Acoustics CR55; Focal Chorus 705v; Wharfedale Diamond 10.2; Monitor Audio Silver-1; Def Tech Mythos One (x4)/Mythos Three Center (x2)/Mythos Two pr.; Martin Logan Electromotion ESL; Legacy Audio Victoria/Silverscreen Center; Gallo Acoustics Reference 3.1; SVS SB-1000 Pro; REL HT-1003; B&W ASW610; HifiMan HE400i
Turntable: Dual 721 Direct-Drive w/Audio Technica AT-VM95e cart
Cables: Tripp-lite 14ga. PCs, Blue Jeans Cable ICs, Philips PXT1000 ICs; Kimber Kable DV30 coaxial ICs; Canare L-4E6S XLR ICs; Kimber Kable 8PR & 8TC speaker cables. -
nooshinjohn wrote: »I run USB, and have the Oppo for a transport on a coax. I don't care for the sound quality of ethernet...
Not sure what you mean by that....(in bold)
All streamers (unless running optical/fiber) have an E cable somewhere in the system, no?
Tom
That and there are some amazing high quality Ethernet cables out there! How well I know ! I have zero use for USB in any of my gear !"if it's not fun, it's not worth it & remember folks, "It's All About The Music"!!
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Streamers from esoteric brands are the receivers of the 90s and 2000s for audio in 2020s.
They may support them today, but will they support your large acquisition 5 years from now thus making it a gigantic paperweight- Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit. -
Streamers from esoteric brands are the receivers of the 90s and 2000s for audio in 2020s.
They may support them today, but will they support your large acquisition 5 years from now thus making it a gigantic paperweight
Agreed, but that really goes for any of these brands as things change so rapidly, they all are in business to sell the next big thing. No different than a CD/SACD Player, it can easily be a big paper weight just the same after 5 years. There is no guarantee in any of this, one can only hope a shop can acquire the parts to service it.
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Agreed, but that really goes for any of these brands as things change so rapidly, they all are in business to sell the next big thing. No different than a CD/SACD Player, it can easily be a big paper weight just the same after 5 years. There is no guarantee in any of this, one can only hope a shop can acquire the parts to service it.
I don't disagree with you, but Cary is catering to the high dollar crowd with small numbers. Personally, I would steer towards a low dollar investment in a streamer (aka Bluesound) and use the digital output to drive a separate DAC. More boxes may not be the direction you want to go though and I would understand that issue.
Alon Petite / Infinity 1.2S / Coda Continuum / Counterpoint SA5000 / Oppo BDP-105D / Technics SP-15 w/SAEC WE-308SX & Ortofon AS-309 arms / Ikeda 9C2 & Dynavector XX2 Mk II carts -
Streamers from esoteric brands are the receivers of the 90s and 2000s for audio in 2020s.
They may support them today, but will they support your large acquisition 5 years from now thus making it a gigantic paperweight
That can and should be said about ALL brands and things for that matter!"if it's not fun, it's not worth it & remember folks, "It's All About The Music"!!
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I recently acquired an Arcam sa30 interested amp/streamer and love it. Here is the delicated streamer!
https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/arcam-st60Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es
Game Room 5.1.4: Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
Bedroom 2.1 Harmon Kardon HK3490; Bluesounds Node N130; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer -
Well, I didn't pull the trigger on anything yet..
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My advice? If you are looking for something for the long haul with all of the criteria you want in a streamer? Keep asking questions, looking and researching.
If you want something to get your feet wet while you are looking? You can't go wrong with the BS Node units (with an external DAC). The resale on those are horrible, so when and if you do upgrade, put that either somewhere else in your home/office/camper or take the hit when you go to unload it.
Tom~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~ -
There are other options for streaming music content. Any Amazon Fire TV product can stream music from the Amazon service. Apple has their own. Most mid grade and up receivers and AV processors have built in music streaming capability. Some integrated amps have it now too.
For now the Bluesound node streamer seems most appealing to me for a standalone product since it's not too expensive, has a good user interface, and can be hooked up to an existing DAC that doesn't need to change when the interface device gets outdated. -
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You must have made a decision.
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Keep in mind that you can dip your toe in for less than $1K. Buy a streamer such as Bluesound Node (~$450 used), Auralic Aries (~$800 used), or any number of others and just run SPDIF over coax into your Oppo. You can then get an idea of what you like in your system without making a major monetary investment.
Or you could buy the Cary from TMR, try it for 2 weeks, and return it if you don't like it.
Alon Petite / Infinity 1.2S / Coda Continuum / Counterpoint SA5000 / Oppo BDP-105D / Technics SP-15 w/SAEC WE-308SX & Ortofon AS-309 arms / Ikeda 9C2 & Dynavector XX2 Mk II carts
