STREAMER - WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE?

@kirkwallace - I continue to waffle between the the RS130 and an innuous.  I see that the Stream3 has replaced the Pulsar.  Although it’s significantly more money than both the RS130 and the Pulsar, I’ve added the Stream3 to my list. 

@antigrunge2 - I had to explore what the Etherregen offers which gave me a chance to learn something new.  Did some reading on it and I see that it’s an Ethernet switch. Also, not sure what you meant when you wrote "A $2000 DAC or streamer can not contain a $5000 clock and no galvanic isolation on ethernet is as clean as a fibre conversion." 

My DAC is asychronous.  So, the DAC provides the clocking.  

Unfortunately, the Etherregen’s uses an older architecture, a noisier Switch‑mode power supply instead of a quieter Linear Power Supply and is not optimized for USB-first transports.  Looking at how it’s built ($5 PS, Mid-Tier PHY chips, etc) suggests it’s aimed, at best, mid-grade systems system--It’s not a good fit for revealing components.

Regardless,  my next step will be a streamer.  I need to nail that down first before I put money into an ethernet switch + ensure that it’ll it’s deliver discernable improvement to my digital leg streamer upgrade  (i.e. RS130 or an Innuous---> BAT Rex 3 DAC).  

@patrickalston I’m not sure if this will help you or not, but back in December I was trying to decide between a Stream1 and Stream3.  I went with the Stream1 because I was able to get a great price on a USB Phoenix reclocker (demo unit used by Innuos US distributor at shows) to go with it.  That gave me superior USB out to the “Phoenix-lite” module and at least as good power supply and separation as the Stream3. Now, my DAC isn’t as revealing as yours, and is agnostic as between USB and SPDIF, so maybe the Stream3 would be better for you, but it might be worth considering a new or used Stream1 plus used Phoenix reclocker.  (I use a Linear Tube Audio LPS for the Stream1. ) 

I have an Innuos Pulse into a Holo Spring 3 KTE with preamp via a Tubulus Concentus V2 USB cable. That is being fed into a *Line Magnetic 845 premium tube amp. / *Coda CSiB Integrated via Teo Audio Silver Splash RCA interconnects. *I switch the amps out between hot and cold seasons. And Tekton Encore Speakers via Silversmith Fidelium Speaker cables.

@patrickalston - read through this very long thread.  If answered, my apology - what is your primary digital source - local files and/or streaming.  The software to me is critical in this case because (assumptions):

1. Your DAC hopefully has a great clock and yes, USB is asynch so jitter, etc. should be addressed by the DAC, but having a clean upstream data source would prevent other "garbage/noise" that may make its way into the signal (don’t ask me how, but I’ve heard differences based on the upstream source). 

2. Given this, you want the streamer/server to not introduce noise into the circuit, while supporting your streaming sources and software (ROON, Audirvana, native like Aurender or LUMIN, QOBUZ connect, etc.). I’ve read LUMIN U2 or U2X has isolation circuitry for USB audio out, better/quieter power supplies which the higher end devices have, but at more cost effective price points. In my case, I built my music server (fanless PC, JCAT USB card powered by Shanti LPS) on Windows (may switch to linux) running Audirvana -> USB -> MSB ProUSB/ISL (galvanic isolation) -> MSB DAC.

3. Galvanic isolation - for ethernet too, I’ve found greatly quiets down the noise floor, hence more detail, "black" background, soundstage, etc.  I use an iFi audio LAN iPurifier Pro ethernet noise filter with a Shanti 5v LPS powering this device.

Hope this helps.

Hello @patrickalston and hello @soix !

I guess a good thing I am just seeing this as it is as usual contentious.  I would say to you OP that @soix is as usual giving good advice.  I have owned many streamers which I will list, and have used them with different DACs, and can easily say that a good streamer takes a great DAC to another level.  I was once told my Tambaqui was a Lamborghini and I was feeding it regular gas...

My streamer history:

Macbook

Dedicated Mac Mini

Bluesound Node

Auralic Aries G2

XACT S1 (extended demo)

Grimm MU1 (still own)

Auralic Aries G2.2

Pink Faun Scion (recent purchase and still own).

Without a doubt, on  my systems and to my ears, each and every upgrade made a significant difference.  And note, my Scion was my last purchase to an already optimized system.  And it took it to another level.

My Tambaqui likes the AES input of my Grimm MU1, and my Master Fidelity Nadacs (like your BAT) want a USB input.  Regardless, the better the streamer the better the sound.  But don't get a Grimm if you want USB!

I am not saying anyone should spend 20k on a streamer.  But I am saying at a certain level it makes sense and is worth it (to me).

Anyone who flatly denies it makes a difference is IMHO wrong, likely has not heard a great streamer comparably in a great system, or can't hear the difference.

Congrats on the great system you have built...and don't be afraid to get a non tubed streamer since you should have plenty of tube warmth already!