Network streamer recommendation without a dac/amp (pure streamer), under $4k


So my SOTM 200 ultra is screwing up. Tried reburning the firmware to the microsd so many times but it doesn't start.

Want to get a more reliable streamer thats not so sensitive in terms of microsd/firmware. Want to spend about $4000 or less.

So far thinking at the $2k price point (used)
Bryston BDP2
Bryston BDP Pi
Moon mind 2
Aries g1
Bricasti M5

If I stretched my budget to $4k then:
Lumin U1
Aries G2

Any thoughts?   
smodtactical

Showing 3 responses by jaytor

I have the Bryston BDP-2 with upgraded board that I bought used on Agon about 18 months ago for $1400. It's been very reliable and sounds great. I'm using it as a Roon endpoint connected with a wired Ethernet. AES/EBU connection to my Schiit Yggdrasil DAC. 
The previous owner updated the sound card after purchase. The original board used a white circuit board. You can ask the seller to open the top and tell you the color of the sound card. This sits on top of the motherboard and connects to S/PDIF, etc digital output connectors. 
@smodtactical - The only things I've compared it to are USB directly from my desktop (and a laptop), and Musical Fidelity VLink USB-S/PDIF converter. The BDP-2 is a definite improvement over any of these options (at least into the Schiit Yggradsil). More solid bass and better imaging in particular. The VLink was also a bit unreliable - it seemed to lose sink when the data format changed (sample rate or bit depth). 

The SOTM was one of the devices I was also considering, but I wanted something with AES/EBU since Schiit says this is the best way to interface with their higher-end DACs.