What’s the top of your price range?
7k, but, don’t mind if I can get away with it with 1k. The thing with streaming is it so reminds me of the digi cams of the early 90s. Hence I’m really not keen to be spendy in this area.
For the higher end models, the $$$ is really about the power supplies and network isolation/cleaning, those can be DIYed. Rest of the $$$ are spend on things I don’t need, a optical drive, 4T of ssd, fancy screens etc etc. The actual streaming core is really similar across different brands imo.
David
I own two Aries G1’s and recently picked up the Holo Red just to see what was available at that price point and while the G1 in absolute terms is better it’s closer than you would think at 1/4th the price. So if you want to start at the bottom of the chain and still have current specs and all four types of common outputs including I2S then the Red is worth a look. It has it’s own internal PS so no need for an external LPS. If wanting to go farther up the chain then the M1t is an alternative and you can buy a quality LPS from LHY (a division of Jays Audio) for $168 or move up to something like Sbooster for the mid-$300’s. There is also a unit available from Ali Express that JK Richards was recommending for less than either.
Farther up the chain I would look at the Aries G1.1 or the Innuos Pulse. Both have multiple internal power supplies and good apps. The G1.1 differs from my G1 only in cosmetics with the guts being the same. It allows wired or wireless while the Pulse is wired only. Higher up in price would be the G2.1, the Pulsar, Lumin U2 or the Aurender N200. All four between $5000 and $6500. Again all good apps but all different and good support. Only one with wireless option if that matters is the G2.1. If straying into the higher priced market I would stick with the “big 4” but in the lower end you can experiment. All depends on how important digital audio is to you at this point.
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Thanks for all the info, I would’ve gotten a G2.1 last year if not for the fact that it’s a bit long on the tooth in my book. Pulsar and Lumin U2 are all on my radar, but being so new there isn’t enough info for me to make an educated guess.
I’m currently using a iFi zen stream with a Hypsos power supply and LHY network switch. The Red is appealing but with a built-in power supply is why I didn’t buy one. I’d like to tweak stuff in my current audiophile season.
With my current power supply and network tweaks, I don’t find my streaming lacking in any area, trying anything sub 1k would be more of a curiosity and side grade than actually improvement probably. Of course, when I buy a more up market streamer that would most likely change.
Best.
Cheers
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I like seeing the canoe paddles!
Wisconsin!!!
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I should be there now, but “life” intervened.
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How were you able to connect via i2s? Any tips or tricks you would be willing to share?
I’m not able to connect my Silent Angel Munich m1t streamer i2s Digital Output to my PSAUDIO Perfectwave mkii DAC i2s Digital Input. I called Silent Angel and PSAUDIO and both said the HDMI configurations don’t match so connection was not possible.