New DAC or New Streamer?

“Curious if that bottleneck would become even more pronounced with a better DAC? ”

@toro3
A better DAC will be more revealing of any shortcomings of components (source) upstream. Since OP owns a very good DAC and already optimized the Ethernet connection by adding ENO, the next logical step to take is; upgrade the streamer.

@jeffseight

No doubt Innuos is good but another most important thing to consider when choosing a streamer is the control app you will be using to manage your music library and browsing music from cloud based streaming services. The Aurender’s conductor app is by far the best app in terms of simplicity, robustness and SQ. This is a critical part of the experience with streamers and usually the difference maker once you get past the hardware implementation. Yes, you pay a bit more upfront with Aurender but you’re getting a lot more in return. The outstanding build quality, excellent customer support and an app interface that’s easy to navigate without impacting the sound quality unlike ROON which we all know, not the best sounding software.
PS: Have you compared ROON with Sense App, what do you think?

Latik,

I tried Innuos Sense briefly when first out and I had issues with functionality

so I went back to Roon where my libraries reside.

I have heard respected makers state the reason they do not incorporate

Roon is the SQ degradation they found. What they do not say is how they

must expose everything and change formats to accommodate Roon.

And likely pay Roon something. So it is not an exciting prospect to some.

Recently I heard Linn folks say they worked out "an accomodation" with

Roon that they could live with hence are now Roon Ready.

So there is a question of bias by makers and using SQ as their defense.

Is there any result of blind testing of Sense vs Roon ? Love to hear it.

I believe both Innuos and Aurender are well-established high-quality products. Aurender is a complete music server component. Innuos  "ZEN" series are complete music servers. Innuos "Pulse" series are streamer/network players. If one does not need or want full music server then a network player is fine and generally speaking less expensive. Both companies have their happy and loyal supporters.

Charles

“Is there any result of blind testing of Sense vs Roon ? Love to hear it.”

@jeffseight

I don’t believe in blind tests. Fortunately, my system is resolving enough to collaborate differences between hardwares/ softwares and how well they are executed with my hearing. I am a lifetime ROON subscriber and longtime Conductor user. On surface, ROON is good and its SQ greatly varies on hardware implementation. In contrast, Conductor app remained consistent in terms of SQ due to its robust tightly controlled in-house integration with the equally complimentary hardware.

Once you get to experience Sense glitch free, you will relate to what I’m trying to convey. Whether you can hear or appreciate the differences between ROON or Sense will entirely contingent upon your listening environment, system and your hearing.

I believe it all starts at the top of the chain.  I think spending money on a great preamp is one of the best moves you can make.  I think the source is equally important.   
 

I bought the N200 knowing it won’t be the potential bottleneck if I upgrade my DAC.