STREAMER - WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE?
I've been using the Eversolo DMP-A8 and think it's a mid-range, feature-rich, capable, and attractive machine. For the past few months, my focus has been on putting my system together (e.g., new caps on the amps, new tubes, getting clean power, turntable, phono stage, etc) and have felt that I've been overly focused on the analog side. I've long wanted to work on getting my end game digital setup and pulled the trigger on a BAT Rex 3 DAC and now want a streamer that mates well with it. I know little about streamers. . .just enough to get lost in the topic.
Other than an easy-to-read screen and balanced outputs, what features should I look for in an endgame streamer that will deliver a significant performance boost? I invite any suggestions.
@thuhaile You're not the first to suggest that and I only wish that were true. I could save thousands. My system has the double-edged sword of being extraordinarily revealing. I've been living with the RS130 for almost a week and it's a clear improvement over the Eversolo. . Sharper.. The 130 is more airy and holographic....and that says a lot given the excellent performance that I enjoyfrom the A8. Im curious, why would you think I'd hear no difference?
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My primary concern with a streamer is that it gives me access to all the music I want as painlessly as possible. For me, that means it must have Qobuz Connect, Tidal Connect, and Spotify connect. It's aggravating how few of these "high end" streamers can achieve that basic prerequisite. Antipdes K21/K22: no Qobuz connect HiFi Rose RS130: no Tidal connect
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I think the contention of the objectivist camp is that your biases subconsciously influence what you think you are hearing. Why did you buy a RS130? Maybe you read somewhere that it sounds more airy/holographic than a cheaper streamer. So that's how your brain perceives it. I don't have a dog in the fight. Just saying. |
@kumizi - While I have biases in terms of my amp/preamp/DAC choices as you can see in my system, I don’t have any bias with respect to my streamer selection. I have criteria (e.g., USB orientation and large screen--which I’m now flexible on and reference-level performance) I’m only auditioning the RS130 and have not finalized my decision. Someone in this thread offered a compelling argument to consider the Innuos Pulsar. So, not sure I can get one to audition; however, its replacement, the Stream3, is a strong contender. It’s more money, but this may be the last streamer that I purchase and don’t want to have buyer’s remorse. I don’t like to take interim steps and "live with" something until I can afford better. It’s better for me to wait and get what I want. Without the benefit of a bottomless wallet, patience is key to building a reference-level, highly-revealing system. I don’t compromise anymore. I also prefer a domestic manufacturer. I considered Ayre and Bel Canto, but neither are optimized for USB and, therefore, are not optimal for use with my BAT Rex 3 DAC. |
@patrickalston, I hope the 130 works out for you. Putting audio gear together an be expensive and frustrating. I started streaming from my Mac air, but wanted the convenience of remote access. Started out with a Eversolo 6 and purchased up to the 8. None sounded as good as my Mac air into my shitt yaggy dac I was using at the time. Not even as transports. Next was the Rs130. I wanted to love this transport, but I hated the software and was not impressed with the sound. Still not as good as Mac air. Next up was Aurender N200. It was as musical and engaging as Mac air and I kept it. Software easy to learn and use. After reading post here, I decided to step up to N20. That became endgame for me. Sorry you ruled it out, but hopefully is your system it will work out. |
