Best streamer to replace my Mac Mini?

Eversolo just did an update that rendered my Dad's A6 inoperable via USB. 

Same software/firmware as A8.   

Affects McIntosh Integrated Amps with DAC cards.   His 8950 was working fine , it updated and immediately after did not recognize DAC.  In the rare even it does, it identifies wrong sample rate and makes a loud potentially damaging screech noise or chirps.   

Also will not work with Chord and Accuphase.   This problem has been an issue with those two brands, the problem with the Mc is new 

To troubleshoot this I used a PC to stream qobuz to the 8950.  Worked fine.  Put Eversolo in my system.  Immediately recognized the DAC played fine for hours.  

Restored factory defaults , same problem with Mc.   They were responsive at first but then lied about the issue,  saying there are no known issues.  

I pressed them to take it in because it will not recognize the USB drive with an older firmware.   I told them it's 5 days from being out of warranty and they completely ignored me after that.   Talking to the dealer I learned that he has 40 + units that are bricked.    

I asked them to send me the file, they wouldn't.  They said it's dangerous to roll back.   Would not send file just notes on how to upgrade ...

Maybe I'm spoiled with my Aurender  and Bluesound,   but they have the worst support I have ever experienced in this hobby 

There is no service center or any contingency plan when these fail.   

They are charging Innous and Lumin pricing on the new model.  Spend a little more and buy from a big player in streaming 

I had high hopes for the machine.   I though it would change my mind about Chinese HiFi but it just proves how little a company like Zidoo is in terms of resources and talent.   

Bluesound has rarely let me down, I have had a Vault for 5 years, Aurender N200 for 1.5 and that machine has been great.  I did have an issue and they remotely diagnosed it and put the latest non beta FW in it ....remotely.   

Innuos makes one in that range too.   The most important thing about any of these devices is support and user interface.    The best hardware in the world is crap without good software.  

Visit those mfg forums and search for issues when you finally narrow it down 

I’d recommend a used Aurrender. You should be able to get a used N100 or better for that range. Excellent sound quality and very good navigation software. Everyone I know that has gotten off brands… (these are over $10K) complain about how cumbersome navigation is with them.

I own an Aurender N100 and Aurender W20SE.

a 432 EVO standard at $3500 would be a great choice it is a high end server with a built in cd ripper, was designed as a Roon core, and it can be upgraded to a higher preforming server because a;; 432EVO servers are designed around a modular platform.

Dave and Troy

Audio intellect NJ

432EVO dealers

Waiting for reviews on this unit which I think will be great.

Auralic Aries S1 streamer

Hi @profoundprorva , I agree you can't go wrong with an Aurender as @ghdprentice states. I also have had good luck with Auralic products, and the S1 looks like a great example of trickle down technology.  The only feature that the S1 seems to be missing is the usual Auralic wifi inputs.  May or may not be an issue.  I have two Altairs (streamer and DAC) at a vacation home that run rock solid on wifi.  I have heard too many negatives about Eversolo to go there.  I own an Aurender N20 and the sound quality is stunning.  Does your Mac have the DA1 module?  If so I would consider and Aurender or Auralic with onboard DAC which  will likely best the DA1 module.  Or get a separate streamer only and then you can consider DAC upgrade in the future.  I guess what I am saying is that I and many are not impressed by the DA1 module.  I also can't knock Lumin, just never had one.

Thanks for the replies, my McIntosh has the upgraded DAC 2 chip installed if that matters. The Auralic is my top choice so far since it also has a nice display and can run Dirac, shame it’s not a touch screen though. 

I've had an Auralic Aries G 2.1 for 3-4 years now with absolutely no issues. Sounds fantastic, and the user interface is very user friendly.

Before the Auralic I had an Aurender N100. This was the worst audio purchase I ever made. Every time the power would flicker or go out, the unit would not boot back up. I was on speed dial with Ari the rep for Aurender. To there credit they were very supportive. I sent it back to Aurender at least 4 times. The final time they completely rebuilt the unit. I got it back and made sure it was working...then traded it in to an authorized Aurender dealer.

I will say the short time it was functional it did sound good.

I would agree with a common sentiment on this forum....If your going to primarily listen to digital content...bite the bullet and buy a quality streamer/network player. Its a necessary evil for quality digital playback.

Thanks for everyone’s help, I went ahead and ordered an Auralic Aries S1. 

I'm sure you made a good choice with Auralic ....   They concentrate on streamers and seem to be well received.  

The Auralic rep just emailed me about router issues they seem to have, a bit concerning. 

“We have a lot of customer reporting that routers provided by ISP generally don't work well with high performance streaming, because they may not be able to handle multicasting (SSDP) messages without dropouts, or if your router is blocking certain (IGMP/ICMP) data packets AURALiC Lightning devices rely on to provide the best experience. Some routers (usually lower-performing models supplied by your Internet Service Provider) don’t handle this type of traffic due to their firmware, or, since this kind of UDP discovery data is more vulnerable, a weak network connection will affect this even as your other data connections seem fine.

Please check this article first and let me know if you would like us to further process your order. 

https://us.auralic.com/pages/before-you-buy

I must say you may need to get a Netgear or Asus router for the best network connection quality. Thank you”

I have also owned Aurlic in addition to Aurrender. I had an Aries G2. I was disappointed in the sound quality and I struggled to keep it on line. It has a “reboot nightly setting”… with mine, that was not enough. Once I got an Aurrender it was rock solid. No rebooting setting, or ever required. In fairness to Aurlic on the sound quality, I have heard their Aries G 2.2 has much better sound quality.

My experience was the complete opposite.

Please don’t be offended, but keep your Mac mini because your price point isn’t going to get you significantly better anything. Get a digital digital converter instead and a little bit better usb cable. To significantly beat my PC with a digital to digital converter and 2 dh labs mirage usb cables I had to go to a $8000 innuous pulsar and a $1075 Crystal cable usb.

just try a

Singxer SU-6 d2d box first!

I went ahead and cancelled the order. Getting emails from the company after I ordered it about the problems I might run into didn’t help, especially since I was buying it for convenience. 

I know this is a complete 180 but I went ahead and ordered an Eversolo A8 from Amazon to audition. Just using it as a transport but I like the touchscreen, eq display, and the fact it can play Apple Music. Being that they’re a bigger company that’s selling many more units then their more niche competitors, I’m thinking it will keep getting solid support and updates. 

I went through most of those streamers mentioned and stayed with the Magna Mano ultra mkIII streamer no Dac with separate Farad power supply from Magna Hifi in the Netherlands…several different software options, for Apple Music I use Ropieee XL .. not a glitch ever..a nice small foot print too…did all the upgrades when I ordered and stayed under $2000…

I sent back the Aurlic Aries G1.1 there was a glitch with Apple Music …

Hopefully you don't experience the same problem I am experiencing with Mcintosh / Eversolo. 

Unfortunately you may not have USB until / if they sort that out with McIntosh DACs 

Eversolo is not as big as they seem.   Yes they are selling a bunch but when a dealer tells me he has 40 plus units that are bricked and need to be sent back to China for refurb, that is is a bad sign.   

I would recommend going into set up immediately and turn off Auto Update.   If you are lucky your build will have ver 1.2.50 firmware.   Anything high may not recognize USB

Support is pretty bad with Zidoo / Eversolo.  

I have seen several reviews lately on Eversolo A6 and A8 and the A8 is a dramatic improvement over A6 and seems to fit your budget.

good luck 🍀 

Hooked up the new A8 and it’s amazing. No problems with the app or network connection. I’m starting to think some of the bad reviews are from the competition that’s selling their way overpriced streamer transports, a lot of snake oil in this hobby.

If you go with the 432 EVO don't remove the top and look inside