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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
pterosaur's avatar
pterosaur
1 posts
 

Euphony Summus 4C has ethernet in and I2S out. I haven’t heard many other streamers but, in my system, it sounds better than the similarly priced Aurender N150. I use it as a Roon core with Euphony Stylus OS. 

lanx0003
1,928 posts
 

In an SPL crossover, the signal path is: Analog in → A/D conversion → DSP crossover processing → D/A conversion → Analog out.  You unnecessarily lose fidelity that way.

Why not implement the active crossover entirely in the digital domain?

agisthos
528 posts
 

Audiobyte Super Hub.

https://www.audiobyte.net/products/superhub

According to this review it was designed around its I2S output and sounds noticeably better using it.

https://hifiplus.com/articles/audiobyte-superhub-streamer/

 

ntpc4
44 posts
 

You've found the hardware, you just need to pick the software and assign some value ot a few unique features. The best HW is the Holo Audio Red; you could then flip a coin among the others. You can rip CDs and/or store files locally on all of them, though in different ways. The Volumio and Hifi Rose will let you display your metadata on a TV via an HDMI output, whereas the others really rely on apps and screen mirroring. You can run most any streaming platform on the Holo Audio Red, whereas with the others, you are making a commitment to Volumio, Hifi Rose, or EverSolo. If your computer will be used with this setup, the Holo Audio Red has a DDC.

genomeip
25 posts
 

Actually just went through this exercise as well.  PS Audio’s Airlens comes to mind (already mentioned), as well as the others on your list in addition to the Innuos.  

But,  I have a bigger issue that you probably don’t have...finding a quality streamer that is compatible with Amazon Music HD.  That eliminated most of those on your list,  because I would need a server to run special software (UpnP) that would enable me to run the workaround.  I refuse to do that, and I also refuse to subscribe to Roon or to move to another more expensive streaming service.  I also refuse to pay the nutty prices that HiFI Rose streamers command.

I focused most acutely on trying to find a way to make Rivo Plus and Airlens work due to their celebrated sound quality. But,  I came up empty handed.

As a result, I plan to upgrade my current Wiim Pro Plus to the next gen WiiM Ultra 2 (when it comes out later this year) so that I can get a USB out,  have that go into a DDC, and then I2S into my DAC.

This issue represents a significant gap in support, and hopefully someone will come out with a high quality DAC that’s compatible with Amazon Music HD and that has really good, but non-clinical sound (Eversolo).

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