CD Player vs. music streaming

While I don’t have experience with Innuos server/streamers, I do with Aurender and Auralic as I own units from both companies and have been able to do A/B comparisons against the Node 2.  No contest.

@mgrif104 Did you use the same DAC when comparing the Aurender, Auralic, and Node 2?  If so, which DAC did you use for the test and can you let me know what was better about the Aurender and Auralic?  What models of the Aurender and Auralic do you have? Thanks!

Ketchup are you incredulous that an Auralic or Aurender server is besting the Node? 

In our tests the better the data stream the better the sound to the dac. 

We have tested the original Auralic Aries vs the Aurender and the Aurender was far better

We  feel that the Innous are a fantastic choice due to their implimentation of Roon, great sound quality, continuous firmware upgrades, and near total reliablity and ease of use.

Many people who compare these servers are shocked just how much better sound out of a digital data stream can be created when you minimize jitter and timing related distortions from the data stream.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ Innous dealers

Ketchup are you incredulous that an Auralic or Aurender server is besting the Node?

LOL, no.  Why would you think that?  I simply had a few specific questions for mgrif104 that myself and others would probably like to have the answers to.  This place has really gone downhill.

Ketchup,

I did the comparisons in my system(s) using the same DAC - in my case, the DACs built into the NAD M12 DAC/preamp and in a PS Audio Stellar pre/DAC (a killer unit for the price).  So, I’d say mid level DACs as the comparison (not great, but not budget).  I haven’t tried it with a high end DAC but I have some anecdotal evidence (based on auditioning several other mid level DACs that the streamer and/or server is the more critical component than the DAC.  My suspicion is that a high end streamer/server with a mid level DAC will outperform a high end DAC w/ a mid level streamer/server.  I can’t support that theory as I haven’t done direct comparisons, but I heard greater differences in streamers than in DACs. 

The differences I noticed between streamers were also supported by my local dealer. I took my Aurender to their store (they’re not a dealer) and we directly compared it to the Lumin U1 mini and the Node 2i (for which they are a dealer).. All were run into the same DAC (Marantz’ top of the line reference SACD/DAC).  While tonally, all were the same, the Node 2 (and to a lessor extent, the Lumin mini) sounded “flat” or 2 dimensional in comparison while the Aurender offered more spatial information.  It just sounded more open.  This was confirmed by the dealer.  I also compared my Aurender N100H (admittedly, their low end) to my new Auralic Aries G2 (about 2x the price) and noted it offered a similar increase in performance over the Aurender.  Again, same tonality, but more open spatially, and better revealing of details. Hope this helps.

Audiotroy - a quick note - offered with charitable intent.  I’m a fan - I appreciate your contributions and knowledge and believe you operate an honest business.  Have  you noticed that many of the threads you contribute to also lead to you taking an argumentative or defensive position of some sort?  Perhaps you should check your inpulses before responding. Not everyone is challenging you.  It’s my belief that other participants in these forums are unlikely to change their mind when on the receiving end of a lengthy and/or argumentative post.  Please continue to post to these forums.  But, please also appreciate that others who have a different view should be allowed to state as much freely without getting into an argument.  Again - this is offered as constructive criticism.  We absolutely need good dealers who have knowledge to share.  However, more will be receptive to your offerings if is comes from a friendly place.  

Mgrif