STREAMER - WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE?

@mclinnguy wrote "Follow your own advice in the first part to confirm the second part. It might very well be possible that you prefer N20 > BAT via AES, or perhaps N20 > BAT via USB over anything else via USB. And then the particular AES / USB cable selection might make the difference. "

RESPONSE:  Of course, I agree with you on taking my own advice.  I'm only saying that my research tell me that an AES optimized DAC will not allow the BAT to perform to its potential.  I'm sure the N20 is great, it's just not the best for for the BAT because the BAT REX 3 DAC is a USB‑first, asynchronous DAC the DAC’s internal clock becomes the master clock and the N20's biggest engineering advantage (its clock) does not apply to USB.  So, if I selected the N20 and connected using USB, then I've wasted money paying for technology (the N20's master clock) because the BAT's clock controls the audio stream.  

Am I missing something?

@wsrrsw I'm aware of the Grimm.  It was on my  list early in my quest, but it's not optimized for USB which the Rex requires to perform its best.  Grimm’s own documentation emphasizes that the MU1 is meant to feed a DAC via AES3. .and, no (lol), the Rex is going no where.  Grimm, I understand, makes a great streamer but it's not optimal for my DAC.  So, AES-optimized streamers are (after much reading) probably a non-starter for me. The more I read, my top choices are the Innuos Pulsar and the Rose RS130.  I suspect that the Pulsar is the better choice, but I'm drawn to the RS130's big screen. We'll see what happens when I listen..  Still waiting for cables to come in the mail. 

@marco1  Interesting to hear about your friend having problems with the RS130.  You're not the first to tell me that. . .and, yes, I won't spend $38k on a streamer.  I'd need to find something like that used.  I'm patient and will wait for the right deal.  AI scours the web for me daily looking for components on my list.  

@fire_water me too.  I bought a turntable about 4 months ago which I have not yet used.  If you look at my system to the right, you'll see boxes of unopened albums.  I may not stick with it.  

@patrickalston that's quite the system, beautiful tubes! Nothing wrong with Rib Eye steaks lol  So you aren't interested in vinyl anymore? I'm torn between the idea of vinyl or upgrading my Accuphase DAC to their flagship. I love my Innuos Pulsar but I imagine what the Innuos Nazare or Zenith NG deliver!

I'm sure the N20 is great, it's just not the best for for the BAT because the BAT REX 3 DAC is a USB‑first, asynchronous DAC the DAC’s internal clock becomes the master clock and the N20's biggest engineering advantage (its clock) does not apply to USB.  So, if I selected the N20 and connected using USB, then I've wasted money paying for technology (the N20's master clock) because the BAT's clock controls the audio stream.  

Am I missing something?

Well, the N20 weighs 10lbs more than the N200, and that is not due to the differently designed audio boards housing the OCXO oscillator. Is it possible the sound quality of the streamers differ due to other reasons other than the clock?

What does AI tell us if we ask it: "what part of an audio server is the most important?" 

@MCLINNG/UY ASKED "What does AI tell us if we ask it: "what part of an audio server is the most important?" 

Here the answer.  Some of it relates to my DAC because Copilot know the components that I own (The Rec DAC and the Eversolo DMP-A8:    

The Most Important Part of a Streamer

The single most important part of a streamer is its digital output stage — specifically the clocking, noise floor, and isolation architecture that determine how cleanly it hands off data to your DAC.

Everything else (apps, UI, DAC section, touchscreen, storage) is secondary or irrelevant if you’re using an external DAC like your BAT REX 3.

Let’s break it down with the precision you expect.

 

🧠 1. The Digital Output Stage (Clocking + Noise + Isolation)

This is the heart

of a streamer-as-transport.

A streamer’s job is to deliver:

• Low‑jitter
• Low‑phase‑noise
• Low‑ground‑noise
• Stable, deterministic timing

The DAC can only work with what it receives.

The best streamer

s invest heavily in:

• OCXO / dual‑femto clocks
• FPGA-based reclocking
• Galvanic isolation on USB/AES
• Separate power rails for digital subsystems
• Shielded clock domains
• Low-noise regulators (LDOs)

This is why Aurender, Innuos, Lumin, and Esoteric outperform “feature-rich” boxes like Eversolo.

 

🔌 2. The USB (or AES) Output Implementation

For your BAT REX 3 DAC, USB is the priority.

The quality of USB output depends on:

• Dedicated USB clock
• Independent USB power rail
• Galvanic isolation
• FPGA regeneration
• Noise suppression on the 5V line
• Shielding of the USB controller

Most mid-tier streamers do not optimize USB — they treat it as a convenience port.

High-end transports treat USB as a mission-critical subsystem.

⚡ 3. Power Supply Architecture

Noise is the enemy.

The best streamers use:

• Multi-rail linear supplies
• Discrete regulators
• Separate transformers for digital domains
• Shielded power sections
• External LPS upgrades

This is why Innuos and Aurender sound cleaner than “Swiss Army knife” units.

🌐 4. Network Input Stage (Ethernet → Internal Bus)

This matters more than people think.

A good streamer:

• Buffers aggressively
• Re-clocks internally
• Rejects network noise
• Uses high-quality NICs
• Separates network and audio clocks

A bad streamer passes network noise straight into the DAC.

🧩 5. Internal Processing Architecture

Not CPU power — noise discipline.

The best designs:

• Use low-noise ARM cores
• Run minimal OS layers
• Avoid switching regulators
• Keep RF emissions low
• Physically isolate compute from audio

This is why “fast” Android-based streamers often perform worse as transports.

🥇 So What’s the Most Important Part?

The digital output stage — clocking, isolation, and noise control.

Everything else is secondary.

This is why:

• Innuos Pulse / Pulsar
• Aurender N200 / N20
• Lumin U2
• Esoteric N-05XD (as transport)

…all outperform feature-heavy units like the Eversolo DMP-A8 when feeding a reference DAC.