So right now I’m streaming from a Nucleus+ via USB to Matrix SPDIF2 to DSS vis i2s… and it does sound pretty darn good. Would a roon endpoint streamer improve upon the current setup? Is there a streamer that doesn’t cost as much as a small car (Grimm is out in other words…) that has i2s output.
Or should I replace the Matrix with another DDC?
I am going to add one of these as an endpoint for a second system. I wont have the system together for some weeks wet but it seems like a very good unit and is a “streamer” only with no storage or other overhead to drag along. Someone here in the forum has one and led me to the site but I have forgotten who.
Thanks @Baldy. That’s kind of what I was afraid of… looks awesome, but I just don’t know if spending $5k is reasonable. Unless the sound improvement is spectacular of course.
I will keep the Nucleus as a core no matter what. Just off loads everything else and makes it run faster and more stable (at least that’s my impression).
I went the Auralic route but I still use the Matrix for I2S so I can enjoy my DSD 256. I was using the Nucleus the same way you are. It is good but the Auralic has much better sound quality IMO.
Thanks @paul172. That’s kind of what I thought would be the case. I guess I need to get a streamer in the future. The rest of the system is easily up for it…
Silent Angel also makes a well respected streamer for less money but I would rather buy made in USA if possible.
I agree. But @audiojan, the Auralic as an endpoint for the Nucleus would be a similar waste of money. What I believe is a big chunk of what sounds better in this equation is no Roon.
I tried several endpoints with Roon Core running on a NUC w/Farad LPS and a Nucleus Plus w/Farad and settled on a Signature Rendu SE.
The only “endpoint” that came close was using a Lumin U1 Mini. But it needs an iOS device which I don’t have and I felt like I would have been paying for a lot of functionality that I wasn’t going to use.
I forgot to mention that I also ended up hearing no difference between I2S and USB. I used a KTE SU-2 for the USB to I2S conversion from the Rendu.
Point taken. The Auralic Lightning DS does sound better than Roon playing thru the Auralic.
This ???
I currently use matrix and nucleus to DAC
Stack Audio Link II | The Ear (the-ear.net)
More praise!
But you can buy an iOS device (second hand if you like) for just £€$¥200-300 (ok, perhaps not ¥ 
) and use it just as your control point. So that’s no reason not to get one in my view.
Second the Rendu option. I too have the Signature SE, but there are less expensive options to gain from the use of the optical conversion and keep the noisy network off the streamer.
My concern with the Mano Ultra is that’s limited to DSD64… I do have a fair bit of DSD128 files that I’ve bought and is on an a SSD in the Nucleus+.
Thanks, but I’m going to stick with Roon. It’s a superb interface making it super easy to fully integrated files on my SSD, Qobuz and Tidal. As a lifetime subscriber, I think Roon is non-negotiable.
Right - you either use it or not. I agree it is wonderful for what it does. It is unfortunate that it comes with a sonic penalty. Though it depends on the system - in my 2nd system I wouldn’t necessarily say it is a liability. It pleasantly rounds off some shiny aspects.
I would rather not have another OS to learn and maintain. I don’t know why Lumin has limited their app to iOS. The OS adoption world-wide is 70/30 Android/iOS. Perhaps the target audience ratios are skewed vice versa.
I agree. I have spent a good bit of time trying various gear between the Roon Core and the DS to get the best sound I can achieve. I settled with very good DC for the Core, a fiber path to the Rendu, and a really good USB cable to the DS. It turns out to be the most elegant (least amount of parts) solution and sounds by far the best I have heard so far.
I’m very curious to try the AirLens.