1. Home
  2. digital
  3. 197253-96025

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!

rfarassat
rfarassat OP
32 posts
 

@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:

  • Matrix Audio models Element S, TT-1, NT-1  (lowest to highest model)
  • Shanling SMT10.3 Hi-Fi Streamer
musicbuddy
3 posts
 

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. 
https://tmraudio.com/aurender-n200-music-server-/-streamer/

sfgak
209 posts
 

@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.

kingbr's avatar
kingbr
472 posts
 

I had the Eversolo DMP-A6 Master with the TP SE power supply. I am using a DENAFRIPS Hermes feeding DENAFRIPS Pontus II 12th via I2S. When the T8 came out I felt I just had to give it a try. Like @jackd said I felt nothing to lose with Amazon's return policy. Truth told I didn't think I'd notice a difference at all with my current A6 Master and TP power supply. Right out of the box after I switched out the A6 Master with T8 the difference was immediate and it was undeniable. And honestly, I didn't want this to happen because I figured it's much easier to return the T8 than pack up, list, and sell my A6 Master and TP power supply. But the T8 was that good. Richer, fuller, livelier, more detail, air, zest, it had it all. Not at all to take away anything from A6 Master (especially with the upgraded TP supply), it's just T8 was that good...

 

I also have Bluesound Icon in a second system. Hasn't been mentioned yet but you should give that a serious look. Has the display (very important to me) and everything else you're looking for and has great reviews! I love the Icon!

 

Good luck!

mike4597's avatar
mike4597
303 posts
 

Following up on Georg_r comment:  

I also have the Stream 1, with the Phoenix USB module and the LPS1 power supply, and the output from the Phoenix USB module is better than the regular output from the Stream 1--better tonal qualities, better imaging, and better sound stage.  I am quite glad that I decided to go with the Phoenix USB module.  Also, as george_r stated, the Innuos Sense app is very user-friendly, and I had to deal with Innuos technical support, which was superb.  The Stream 3 does have a I2s optional module, but the Stream 1, even with the Phoenix USB module and the LPS1 options, is significantly less than the Stream 3 with the Phoenix USB module.

More to discover