Streamer Upgrade

I used to use a Schiit Gumby multi bit dac as well, I still regret selling it. 

I recently moved from a pc based streamer ( optimized for streaming audio) first to a Roon Nucleus, that was a down grade IMO, it is one of the most over price streams on the market IMO. Unless you love roon and need it in a dedicated streamer I'd pass on the nucleus, specially after you open the box and see an empty chassis.  I sold the Roon as it wasn't even close to as good sounding as the Optimized PC with Tidal. 

After i sold the Nucleus I got an Arender A10 with an Internal DAC ($6k). this is build like a tank and the chassis is stuffed full. but in the end its about the same sound as the optimized PC i was using prior. I honestly think the DAC in it is lacking in many areas like extension and sounds rather boring. 

I wish i had the Schiit Gumby milti bit DAC still, i sold it to help fund a preamp. It's better IMO then the DAC 2 board in my McIntosh C2700 preamp and the Aureder A10's internal DAC. The Aurender is really a disappointment to me for what it costs. yes i have done a side by side comparison. 

If it was me any my $ I would upgrade your DAC maybe to one of Schiit's Yagys and call it a day. Or another quality DAC. I just don't hear the huge difference others seem to hear with these expensive streamers. I find the DAC has more of a change in sound then the streamer. i'd pick one you like the interface with and stick with it.

As of now I feel an Optimized Computer is better then the dedicated streamers ive tried thus far. 

"pdreher

@glennewdick Did you use the Nucleus as your streamer straight into your external DAC, or did you have a ROON endpoint in-between?   Am asking because my experience streaming QOBUZ with ROON using the Nucleus with an IFi Zen Stream as the ROON endpoint provides superior sound quality, user interface and connectivity dependability vs. my previous setups with Bluesound streamers and an Aurender N10." 

I used the Nucleus directly into a Schiit gumby Multi bit DAC same as the optimized PC prior. I'm using Tidal. I used the USB output to the DAC, I believe, I think if i remember i used the optical as well with lesser sound quality. Why would you use a Roon endpoint with A Roon Nucleus isn't that your endpoint? 

Where it really seemed to be an issue is with the Tidal master series tracks they just did not sound even close to what I got out of the optimized PC. It sounded about the same as the CD quality coming from the none master series tracks. rather flat sounding to be honest.  not even as good as the CD player I have (McIntosh SACD/CD player). 

I don't seem to find MQA (fully unfolded) out of my Aurender A10 is superior either. personally i don't see the hyp of MQA in my current set up.

I'm frustrated with streaming to be honest. my Apple 4k tv box  (digital out to DAC) with the Tidal app sounds about as good as the Nucleus did, and easier to use, that's why I sold it. 

The Aurender is better of course and i see some of what can be had but it should not be this difficult to use and set up to optimize the sound. none of these streamers are plug and play, really. The Aurender app is a bit of a mess IMO, too many setting that seem to do nothing, to many steps to connect your tablet after a power on, etc.  

When i run the optimized PC, I can hear a defined increase in sound quality when i switch on the master tracks in Tidal.  I do not here the same level when streaming through the Roon nucleus or the Aurender A10. 

That said I sold the Schiit Gumby DAC when i got my Preamp (Mac C2700 with the DAC 2 board). I don't think its at the same level as the Schiit Gumby Multi bit DAC to be honest. I was hopping the Aurender A10's DAC would be superior but i don't think it is.

I'm going to borrow another DAC and try to see if that's the Issue. 

good luck and have fun, 

glen