Recommended streamers/servers?


Up to $5,000. At present I have a SILENT ANGEL RHEIN Z1 V2 MUSIC SERVER connected to a PS Audio DS DAC via USB CABLE.
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I really like my Cambridge Audio CXN V2, for a little over a grand.  It does a great job with Internet Radio, the app works well, and it has Bluetooth, AirPlay, and Chromecast.  The latter has really impressed me as a wireless high resolution source.  The C.A. works with a variety of streaming services, and you may want to check to see if yours is included (amongst popular services, Pandora seems to not work with every streamer), but if you pick a service that isn’t included you can still use one of the above wireless technologies above.  I did recently have an issue where the C.A. stopped recognizing my server, but their support was very responsive and helped me fix it.  Streamers are networking computers, subject to all the IT issues that computers have, and a reliable C.S. Is important.  The CA also has a good DAC, which you won’t need, but it has digital inputs so if the PS Audio goes on the friz it is a good digital stopgap
Have a close look at Aurender. They produce outstanding streamers in different configuration. I own two and have owned and listened to many others. I believe in general them to be the leaders in the field. There flagship is probably the most used reference streamer used in high end audio shows. They sound dead quiet (something not that common), very musical, and detailed. Buying used might be a good way to move up another level in their product lines.

I have found putting more money in the streamer than other non-speaker components a worthwhile investment. They are like turntables, if you don’t have it at the start of the signal chain then it isn’t coming out the other end… well, unless it is noise and distortion.
Auralic Aries G1 or G2.1. I have the former and think it’s great; I use the USB output. The latter is top of their line, and more costly.

Besides excellent streaming performance, both models include top-flight DSP that you can engage if you want to try resampling, parametric EQ, and such. (Or, you can leave it turned off.)