@sfgak The Holo Red is a streamer and a DDC. But you can’t use both functions at the same time so either it’s a streamer using USB or a DDC using I2s
Gustard has a good new streamer S26 no display tho
Pls help me find a network streamer w/ I2S output (not a DAC)
Hi everyone!
I have read a lot of posts and searched the forum and have not found my answer yet, but if I missed a thread regarding this topic, please forgive me.
I did not think finding a network streamer would be this difficult, but I have been searching for days and cannot find the right one for my setup. Maybe I am making this more difficult that it needs to be, so tell me if that's the case!
But first, let me explain what I am looking for. By "network streamer", I don't mean an integrated amplifier with a DAC, amplification and an Ethernet connector. There are plenty of those and in fact, I have one: the Naim Uniti Nova (great device btw).
I need a network streamer for another "separate components" system I am building. I have a DAC (LAiV Harmony DAC), a Preamp, an amplifier, and now I just want a network streamer that accepts Ethernet and outputs digital signal over an "I2S" connector to feed the signal to my DAC. So I need a device that does not have a DAC, does not have amplification, etc. Why I2S output you ask? Because that is the best connection for my LAiV Harmony DAC. Unfortunately, that also eliminates a lot of network streamers like Lumin, Cambridge, Blue Sound, etc.
I would really like to have a front display on this streamer, but I may have to go without one. The only options I have found are:
- Halo Audio Red - no display, but has I2S output port
- Volumio Rivo Plus - no display, has I2S output, seems like everyone is out of stock and no US distributor that I can find
- Eversolo T8: On paper has everything I want, but I read the audio quality is not great
- Hifi Rose RS151: Everything I need and more, but very expensive - much more than my DAC, and I can't justify the cost for my setup
Are there others that I am missing? I know I can build one with RaspberryPI, and I have in the past specifically for Roon, but I am looking for one that has good software for various streaming apps, and is also supported by an audio equipment vendor.
I would really appreciate your help and suggestions!
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As the Eversolo is available on Amazon with a 30 day no questions asked return policy why don't you order it and try it yourself instead of relying on internet opinions. I've had one for months and while it was a little thin and bright out of the box after about a hundred hours it has smoothed out nicely. I know holds its own with my Aries G2.2 at five times the T8's cost. I also own a Holo Red and have since shortly after it was released. Other than the lack of a screen and no software it is a really good sounding and funtional device. As to the Airlens, I wouldn't touch it as it's just another Conversdigital board in a custom box with all the attendent mConnect issues the Bridge II had. |
@hk_fan, I had not heard of MÉTRONOME! Beautiful products. Thank you for recommending the DSS-2. It is above my price range, but good to know about it. @edinphiladelphia thanks for the recommendation on GUSTARD U18. LAiV also has a converter, the uDDC. It converts various interfaces to I2S for the LAiV DAC. I am going to get one of those, but I wasn't sure if converting a different interface to I2S would be the same as a native I2S output on the network streamer. I need to research this more. @dhart86 thank you. I am going to look at the Gustard S26. It is sold on Amazon, but unfortunately no reviews. Looks like a lot of you are happy with the PS Audio AirLens. It is now on top of my list. Thank you. Last night I was doing more searches and found a couple of other devices that I did not know about. I wonder if anyone has used either of these:
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Take a look at Aurender. Some models have dacs (model names start with A) and no dac (models start with N). Great screen. Not Roon dependent - a bigger for me to avoid one more subscription— and has a great phone app. Has the popular apps built in. Wonderful sound. The Music Room is an authorized dealer and often has great deals on Preowned. Here’s the n200 - mid in their lineup but upper level vs most competitors. |
@dhart86 I have used the Red as a streamer, routing the I2S output directly to my Pontus. Correct that it can be a streamer or a DDC, but not both at the same time. That means you can't stream out while also taking input from the USB to convert to another format. However, as a streamer, all the outputs (coax, I2S, USB) are all active simultaneously. |
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