I traded some gear recently and added a DSD Mk1 and DSMP SACD transport to my system. They are blowing me away and have been fantastic additions for me. However, this has made it obvious my streamer is a weak link. Going from SACD or even regular CDs to my streamer has a very noticeable loss in SQ in multiple areas. This has me wanting to upgrade my cheapo Wiim steamer for something that will feed the DSD MKI well as I do stream a lot. I think I’m going to trade or sale my old DAC, which is a Chord Hugo TT2, giving probably a bit over $3K to play with overall. At the same time, I was hoping to have some money to also buy some room treatments for my new listing room, which has no treatment yet.
Of course the AirLens comes to mind and would be great for my buget but it seems like a lot of people have also liked the relatively new Eversolo T8. The T8’s ability to load in mic calibration profiles and use digital EQ to help with the room is it’s main appeal to me as I’m struggling to get my new room setup but maybe there are better ways to handle this. I’d also be interested in other options but don’t see a ton of streamers in this price range that have I2S for my DAC.
I was also considering trying Roon or another service where I could build or have a music server. I don’t have anything like that right now and just use streaming services, however, it has been something I have wanted to add. I always figured what streamer I picked out play a role and it may be time for me to pick a path. Roon’s functionality seems nice to me, but at the same time it would be great if I could grant my father and my father-in-law access to the server somehow since they have both given me their old CD collections.
I have the A6, had the airlens and moved to the Rose 130 and then to PMG 512 now. For me the Rose was the best. Probably wont find for 3k. I personally did not notice any difference between the Airlens and the A6. T8 should be just as good if not better. I would save the 1k and get the T8. Especially if Roon is not happening soon. Airlens needs that. the Eversolo software can do streaming just fine. I have not used the EQ features of the Eversolo but do use Convolution filter with software in Roon. it helps.
I agree with Brian. I’ve owned the A6, multiple Auralic streamers up to the G2.2, the Holo Red and the T-8. In light of your budget and desire to have money left over to do other things the T8 is your best choice. Once broken in a bit it is a very good sounding streamer with good software and the ability to store up to 8TB internally. Whether or not the EQ function works as advertised also don’t know but at least it is there to try.
I use an iPad to control music streaming, so I don’t need a touch screen on the front of a streamer. In fact, I believe a built-in screen can introduce some degree of electrical or RF interference, which may affect sound quality in a revealing system. My AirLens is connected to the Ferrum Wandla DAC via an AudioQuest Dragon HDMI I²S cable, and after trying a couple of different streamers, this setup has given me the best results so far in terms of clarity, noise floor, and overall musical presentation.
I auditioned a T8 for a time. When I listened it was almost always with the display turned off, a feature offered by that streamer. Also, Eversolo took some care to shield the display so as not to broadcast into the device’s innards when the display was, well, displaying.
It’s not to common to find Airlens at TMR. If you act soon factory certified used is an option, at least in silver, for less. I auditioned an Airlens but opted for a DMP A8, also from TMR, based mainly on functionality.
As a stand alone piece, ie not paired with Roon or running something like JRiver or mconnect, I preferred the Eversolo interface esp native Radio Paradise and Qobuz apps. This was before Qobuz Connect release. Onboard DSP/EQ and optional storage were other significant selling points.