Streamers

Well that's rather odd my post was removed by a moderator. You don't have to abandon your music with a streamer and I stand by what I said earlier. I wasn't trying to start a fight just what I read seemed totally wrong. If my language was too harsh then my apologies to all.

@ robelvick good luck and I hope you find a setup that you love!

The two streamers of choice under $1K around here seem to be the Auralic Aries Mini and Bluesound Node. I have a Mini and love it. It's worked flawlessly for me and the Lightning DS interface app is excellent. Also with the latest firmware update the Mini can unfold MQA if that's important to you. Love wireless my NAS is in my office and the Mini is in my living room where it's just another stereo component not a "computer".

@robelvick yes the Mini also has a DAC it sounds ok but ouputting to an external DAC is the best way to go for good sound.

There are no issues with wireless connectivity with the Aries Mini, if you read that thread, which I posted on, the OP is having an issue with his wired connection defaulting to wireless. I suspect this is due to a setup issue and gave him some relevant info to peruse.  I am personally using the Sbooster Linear power supply on my Mini and it was a very nice upgrade. I can't speak to Dave's "issue" except to say the Sbooster and I believe the Auralic linear supply are both larger and more robust than the uptone supply pictured in that thread.

Also with the latest firmware update the Mini is Roon ready, though try out the Lightning DS app it's excellent and also free.

Rob,
On the subject of MQA I don't have an MQA DAC either what gets output is a 24/96 data stream that I assume doesn't get "unfolded" but still sounds great. You certainly could listen to MQA via the analog outputs I honestly has never considered trying that. Give it a shot and see what you think not sure the gains in rez will close the gap between the Mini and an outbard DAC but certainly it's worth trying. On the subject of USB this seems relevant:

"AURAliC's Lightning devices are a highly customized computer system: they support virtually all kinds of USB removable devices such as small USB card reader; USB flash drive; 2.5-inch portable USB hard disk, 3.5-inch USB removable hard disk (external power supply required) and even a hard disk ‘toaster’.

Lightning devices can work with all USB hard disks if they do not require an external power supply to work on your computer. The driving ability of Lightning Device's USB input on the back panel is 500mA in 5V.

The USB input on Lightning Device is USB 2.0 standard; it is also compatible with 3.0 drives."

@lalitk According to the specs the Mini does sampling rates of 44.1-384khz (16-32 bits) and DSD up to 256 pretty sure that is via both digital and analog. Regarding MQA I have little experience with it or the specs so not sure what the full resolution would be. When I play MQA files off Tidal it typically reads either 48 or 96khz and 24 bits with a little MQA indicator showing. My DAC maxes out at 48 so that's all the resolution I am getting but very happy with the sound so not looking for a new DAC.

I should also add personally I'm not really interested in MQA, I am firmly of the belief that mastering quality trumps digital resolution and am very happy with the sound of Redbook recording on my system.

Congrats robelvick! If I can help in any way once it arrives let me know!

@steakster So I also have a tube dac that doesn't do MQA and one odd thing I will mention sometimes when I play MQA files I will get a short burst of static when the album I am playing starts. My DAC was built in 1995 and the two frequencies it handles are 44.1 and 48 which was the frequency for DAT recorders back in the day. When my DAC switches between 44.1 and 48 when I play something higher rez there is an audible click, a relay switch of some kind I assume. Instead with the MQA files there is the short burst of static, not sure if it's the DAC or the interface between the two. The files themselves sound just fine. Weird but not really a big deal if a tad alarming when it first happened.

@steakster  The relay clicking is my DAC switching from 44.1 to 48 not the Mini. I don't think the Mini has a default it just outputs whatever the signal and sampling frequency may be. Pretty sure the static has something to do with MQA playing on a non-MQA DAC.

@roblevick no need for a micro rendu pretty sure that just duplicates what the Mini does, you can run the Mini straight into a DAC or out through the analog outputs.

@lalitk That's very interesting I just checked and my file playback with the Mini was set to a 2 second delay, I changed it to 3 I'll see if that helps with the white noise issue. I'll also post something on the Auralic support forum.

Juan nice review of Roon thanks and cool website. I've been thinking hard about Roon but sticking with Lightning DS for now, it works well for me and it's free. But Roon sure looks shiny!

Yes you can stream all files up to 24/96 through Coax, anything higher and DSD would require USB. I only use Coax because my DAC has no USB input so I've not experimented with any USB cable. I use a very high quality Coax cable.

Rob glad you are enjoying your mini so much! I've considered upgrading to a regular Aries but decided to buy new speakers instead! They arrived today super excited Audio Note AN/J's here is a pic I uploaded, pardon my foot!
https://imgur.com/a/klRWw

Thanks Rob! Will add the speakers to my system page here soon and take a better pic. The system has really gotten to where I want it lately and it still fits in my tiny apartment.  Looking forward to a long weekend of just listening!

Thanks 2psyop and Timo I am very lucky to live near Deja Vu and the speakers sound great. And I love the Olive wood finish I've never seen another pair in this finish and wanted it. Can't wait as they break in more doing a lot of listening this weekend for sure!

Rob the latest firmware update of the Aries Mini does unfold MQA. That is firmware version 5.1 but to get it you have to agree to be a beta tester.

Rob you should post something on the Auralic forums I don't have an MQA DAC so am not really sure. I will say however when I play a Tidal master the MQA logo does appear leading me to assume unfolding is being done and I only use the coax output. Here is the link for the forums:

https://community.auralic.com/

Lol thanks Rob. And it’s intriguing to me that a company like Onkyo possesses this advanced "DNA". When’s the last time anyone here had any Onkyo gear in theirs system if ever?

rob nice job and if you really want a poor man’s Aries you should try upgrading the power supply at some point. Auralic makes a linear supply and there are other aftermarket products, I’m using the Sbooster. A nice solid improvement. Glad the sound continues to improve for you! For some of us 2.5D sound is all we can ever hope for! :p