Streaming - getting set up

My understanding is that the MPS-5 is a reference-level SACD player with a world class DAC section engineered by Andreas Koch, grandpappy of DSD and Dolby Digital Compression.  Playback Design supplies boards for Nagra’s DAC and Balanced Audio Technology’s Rex 3 DAC (and what I own)--both play at the top of the game.

The MPS-5 performs best when fed by a streamer whose main focus is AES/EBU output because the MPS-5 is designed AES/EBU as it reference input.  I believe Aurender is a USB-optimized platform.  So, it’s not the best choice.  

Someone recommended WiiM.  Just no...The MPS-5 has a world class, reference DAC and the WiiM isn’t by any definition.  The WiiM isn’t in the same universe (and it doesn’t have AES). It’s not clean.    

Consider the Matrix Audio NT‑1 because it’s designed specifically to feed reference DACs via AES which is exactly what the MPS-5 needs.   It’s about $4k and you’ll have money left over. 

@audphile1 wrote "’. . .make sure you don’t automatically dismiss the dac in the mps-5 and assume it can be bettered by something that retails for $3,000 right now." 

+1  -->>It’s highly unlikely there is ANY DAC that can be purchased today for $3000 that is better than the MPS-5’s DAC.  

Don’t take my word for it. . .I’m just a stranger on the internet.  Understand what input allows your DAC to perform at it’s best.  Do you own research. 

Ask AI these questions:  

"Tell me about the DAC on my MPS-5"

then "Tell me which streamers perform best with my MPS-5 and why."  

then "Why are the Innuos, Aurender, RS130 and the WiiM streamers not optimal streamers for the MPS-5"

(If you think AI is equivalent to the Devil in digital form, then speak to a Matrix dealer. )

If you’re gonna spend money, be informed.  I'm not a fan of starting with something and then upgrading.  I buy the best that I can afford.  I made the mistake of buying a mid-fi streamer, the Eversolo DMP A-8, a fine unit at it's price point, but today, I would have been more thoughtful and purchased the streamer that my system deserves.  Buy once, Cry once. 

.  

Patrickalston,

Thank you very much!

I agree with @patrickalston directionally, but i don’t think it is accurate to say that the Aurender platform is USB optimized across the board. There is a case to be made that the N200 might be better using the USB output because it doesn’t have the OCXO clock for the S/PDIF and AES/EBU outputs, but the N20 does, and I generally prefer the non-USB output when using the N20. 

And of course, yes, the Matrix NT-1 is a *lot* cheaper than the N20.

@kirkwallace like I said, I'm just a stranger on the web. Nobody need listen to me My bigger point is that the suggestions offered by others may not be the best solutions to exploit the OP's DAC.  I think that if the op asks AI the questions I suggested, he'll be better prepared to make a good choice.  Too many folks throw out a suggestion without explaining why it's the correct one for its intended use.

 For example, that someone suggested the OP could do better than his current reference-level machine simply by spending $3k is nuts.

@patrickalston I understand. And I said i agree with you directionally.