FWIW…I connect my Zen Mini Mk3 via Ethernet into the integrated bridge on my DirectStream Jnr as this should, in theory via the bridge Ethernet ports (i.e. x1 cable from my switch & then 2nd Ethernet cable direct into the DAC) gives you the cleanest sound.
I’ve never used the USB input as the local dealers suggested via Ethernet should give you the best result…I’m a happy camper!
My setup is similar except I have offloaded the Roon server on to a SGC I9 server. I height recommend getting a Gigafoil Ethernet filter and inserting it between the rack and the Internet.
Hi @aangen, how did you get on with the AURALiC Aries G1? I have a generic fanless nuc i5 pc feeding my matrix and wonder if switching out the pc for a streamer will make sonic improvement (extra features are nice but sq is the reason) Have you also tried a dcs bridge in your travels for comparison?
Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks
A good friend of mine had the DCS bridge but sold it. The sound quality and feature set was mediocre against the price.
Interesting, thanks
What did he/she replace it with that was better?
His take was way too much for what he got. It was also redundant when he got a Bel Canto Black Stack with dual mono’s . Money isn’t a driver for him. He get’s what he likes the sound of.
He has the Bel Canto Black Stack and he streams directly into the DAC/Controller. The Controller streams an optical feed into the power amps. Pure digital sound and it’s wonderful.
Thanks, that is a significant step up $-wise. I had Bel Canto for many years, very nice, then the amp stopped working and they told me to just buy a new one as the repair cost was so high. 
That is an interesting thought Chris. A friend loaned me the Aries G1 for some time and I thought it sounds as good as anything I have heard. I was actually thinking about a G2 but went for the Euphony PTS / Keces P8 / Matrix combo instead. My original PC server is now a backup machine.
No DCS experience yet but that Bartok has my attention. Still the Aries G1 is a solid choice…
I really enjoy my G1 and found no need to go up to the G2 as I had no intention of investing in any of their other G2 series gear to take advantage of their proprietary I2S system and had no need for internal storage. The G1 will get you over 90% there for half the cost.
Yes. I can see the attraction of the G2 if you have the money, as you can fit your hard disk inside and have a 1 box solution plus it has the usb galvanisation, no idea if that actually makes a sonic improvement in reality though.
Thanks Al, I shall investigate you solution
Apologies if already covered in the thread, I got to post 44 & gave up trying to find an answer to my question.
I have an Innous Zen Mini III with PSU, it’s set up as my ROON Core. It’s connected to my network via x2 optical media converters (TP Link MC100). I use the LAN input & the streamer output into my DSJnr DAC, my ethernet cables are generic Cat6.
My question… “Have I optimised my connection from my Innous server to my DAC”?
It appears quite a few people are moving away from the Bridge back to USB? I know it’s pretty easy to A vs B but I don’t actually have a USB cable anymore to trial & if I am to trial, I may as well buy a descent USB cable so I don’t want to waste my money if I’m not going to improve anything moving back to USB?
I understand that this is a subjective measure but I wanted to know if anyone has actually done this & what was their experience?
Cheers
Matt
I’ll be the one guy who likes to have both. I use USB > Matrix > HDMI (i2s) > DSD and of course Ethernet to the Bridge2. I like the way both sound and prefer to be able to choose. Most of the people here think the Bridge2 should be removed from the galaxy. (with extreme prejudice)
So much hate. It makes me sad.
Thanks for your reply aangan, I wouldn’t use the i2s on my DSJnr as I have my PW Transport plugged into that (I culd change this I suppose), if I were to invest in a matrix of similar device, would the AES output be the next best bet?
The AES would be fine actually. I think you would have a difficult time defining the difference in sound between the I2S and the AES.
Hmmmm, I connected a USB cable, couldn’t get it to play, then I did but then couldn’t get the Bridge to play on my DSJnr from the output of my Innous Streamer.
Surely you should be able to switch inputs on the DSJnr to A/B the same source via different inputs??
Any suggestions?
Cheers
Matt
Guess you need to shutdown your Innuos and then swap the cables. Then restart Innuos and check your streamer settings that correct output is selected. You can´t have ethernet and usb out active at the same time. Not DSjr problem but Innuos output settings are like that…
My recommendation - if you do anything to your system, restart the Innuos. Takes 30 seconds and all you need is your phone app. Not that difficult.
Thanks for the replies, I recieved this back from Innous.
USB and Ethernet are two very different ways to play music. If you are using Roon, when you play via USB you will need to enable the DAC on the “Connected to Core” section on Roon. If you connect the PS Audio via Ethernet, the PS Audio Bridge should show as a Network Roon endpoint. So you will need to change the Audio selection on Roon in order to compare the sound between one and the other.
What I noticed within ROON once I connected the USN is another audio zone, i.e.
I always use the DSJnr player “Connected to the Core” when playing via the Bridge but as you can see there is now another “ROON Ready” option, albeit uncertified, do we know what this is?
It comes up as PS Audio CDMCM-210??
Any ideas?
