Clock vs Streamer advice


Hi,

My current system is/was

Aurender N100H>Bricasti MC1>ARC Ref6 Pre>PS BHK 300 monos>B&W 803 D3

I sold the Aurender to try a different streamer and am temporarily using a MacBook to run Roon straight the the DAC through USB. I currently don’t have a huge budget. I emailed a local shop that has a used Melco N1Z to demo at home. I am going to try it out. I also want to try the Bricasti M5 streamer to see if there is synergy with my DAC.

I also came across the Mutec MC3+USB and Mutec Ref10 Nano combination in a similar price point, but I won’t be able to demo this.

If I have to pick between using a mac>Multec MC3+USB and Ref10 Nano>dac and the Melco>DAC option, which do you think will improve sound more. I’m still pretty new to this hobby and can’t currently afford the Melco and Multec combo.

zpatenaude37

Showing 9 responses by mclinnguy

@ghasley very nice. Yes, I can't see how someone would be disappointed with an MU1. Are you now simply going ethernet cable direct from router? or switch? Audiophile ethernet cable? 

@phishhhhh4 I don't have to pay Roon any $$$, anymore.

What did you use before the Pulsar? can you share some comparisons? 

OP @zpatenaude37  mentioned he currently uses Roon. I love Roon. And that is why I didn't get Aurender. I have been playing around with squeeze and yes it sounds a wee bit better than Roon, but it is not nice to deal with- frustrating compared to Roon. Almost begs the question if I am going to futz with this squeeze app everytime I want to change a song etc. I might as well have put all this streaming money into a turntable setup and got up and changed records. Maybe sense is much better, I have't tried it. But eventually squeeze could get better, and Aurender could get Roon, one day. 

👍

I briefly checked out a Melco N1ZH/2 review, and the reviewer’s opinion was the ethernet out "player" was the best connector, and I believe with the N200 it is USB? I suppose for an apples to apples comparison those are what must be connected for each server to perform at its peak.

But then what does one do with apps- conductor for Aurender, and what for Melco? I am thinking it would be easy for a salesperson to steer the auditioner in a particular direction. It sure isn’t like a/b testing a pre-amp, is it?

edit: Qobuz for both perhaps? 

@phishhhhh4 thanks for the response. It was actually the nucleus vs. pulsar sound comparison I was inquiring about, not so much about the whole Roon customer service experience. But now that vented a bit I hope you feel better 😉

I assume you prefer the sound of the Pulsar w sense compared to the Nucleus w Roon. Are you able to describe the attributes in which it is preferable to you? 

@ghasley thanks for the excellent and knowledgeable response. I didn't think you just had a generic ethernet cable only. 😉 I am doing very well, with my new streamer, but I'm not saying what it is yet ha ha. Hope you are well yourself, and it sounds like you are 😁