[jarcher]

No advantage to the x100 - if anything a disadvantage as it uses a switching power supply instead of the linear power supply in the n100. The x100 does have a slightly larger display - and you can get it with more internal storage vs the n100. But a lot cheaper to slap a big USB hard drive off the back of an n100 than spending a grand more for the extra capacity of the x100. 2tb actually holds a LOT of music in FLAC. It's only if you want to lard up with DSD files that you really need a lot more capacity.

If your only going to do USB out, then the n100 is the best value of the Aurrender models. And even if you need spdif, Aurender has a good USB to spdif converter as do other third parties.

[digilog5]

If you are not 100% fixed on the requirement to directly connect a drive on the streamer I may recommend the Sonore Signature Rendu.
I am using one with a W4S Dac2 (non SE or DSD) via i2s but with your Yggdrasil you can connect it via BNC-BNC coaxial.
I stream PCM and even radio streams from a Synology NAS, and it took my dac to a whole different game compared to my previously modded Oppo93 used as streamer. Although I have not done it, it can work with Tidal too, but via the Synology or other nas with the minimServer installed. I control it with my Iphone or Ipad. It was recently reviewed by the Audiostream site.
If the Yggy is anything like the old Theta dac's it will love a very very low jitter input to lock the PLL onto. Else as others commented Bryston's players may also be top notch if you do need direct connection to drives.
Cheers

[Phil A]

Thanks for your feedback jarcher

+ 1 on that!

[MttBsh]

Thank you gentlemen for your suggestions, I've read a lot of great things about the Signature Rendu, and am also excited about the just released MicroRendu, which for less than $700 is supposed to be a game changer.

I'm also intrigued by the Melco N1A ($2K) which critics are raving about as well as their just released N1ZH ($3.5K?) that competes with anything out there, both can run Tidal but Melco has not yet released their own app - it is forthcoming.
It's a great time to be searching for a streamer - but just when you settle on the best solution - a better one comes out.... the technology is moving fast!

[jarcher]

It's easy to lose sight as there are many things out there that can stream, from a $350 home theater receiver, Sonos connect, and even blu Ray players for even less, and more options that come down the pipeline with every passing day.

What I peronally think is critical is choosing something with a proven track record of sound quality, reliability, ease of use and good technical support.  If it wasn't for the sound quality part, Sonos would be the obvious choice. Otherwise from what I've experienced, Aurender is still the best to cover all those aforementioned critical factors.

Like all things in consumer electronics you can keep holding out with the hope that something better and cheaper will come out. But at some point you got to jump in with what's best and proven at that point in time.

[pmarun]

Hi

I have my music sitting on a network hard drive. Use OSMC running on a raspberry Pi to serve the music wirelessly. HDMI out from the PI to my Denon AVR. Pre-out to my pre-amp, amp and then speakers. Love the convenience of a big screen to select my music but is also controllable from my iPhone. I also use this setup to watch movies I have stored on the same Hard drive.

This is in parallel to a squeezebox touch which I bought from an AC member. The music is served from the same network Hard drive through a Logitech media server running on another raspberry Pi. The SB touch outputs to a Benchmark DAC and there on to the pre and power amp.

I could actually take an optical output from my Denon AVR to the Benchmark DAC and have all music run from my DAC.

You can also use a digi-fi board added on to the raspberry Pi to out put a Digital audio signal which you can take directly to the DAC.

The only issue I face is that I have to map the network drive in the Pi every time it receives a software upgrade. Have not found a way to automatically map the network drives yet.

I think the sound quality either way is pretty good. I hope to streamline this setup and move the SB touch and one of the Raspberry pi's to my study setup, someday. I will just enjoy the music till then.

Cheers

[Mike-48]

Auralic Aries seems a close fit, $1600 with the works.

Yes I am using it for those purposes. It's a very good unit, IMO.

[dreamtheatervn]

Thank you gentlemen for your suggestions, I've read a lot of great things about the Signature Rendu, and am also excited about the just released MicroRendu, which for less than $700 is supposed to be a game changer.

I'm also intrigued by the Melco N1A ($2K) which critics are raving about as well as their just released N1ZH ($3.5K?) that competes with anything out there, both can run Tidal but Melco has not yet released their own app - it is forthcoming.
It's a great time to be searching for a streamer - but just when you settle on the best solution - a better one comes out.... the technology is moving fast!

Hi,
I am quite sure with you to give it a try on Melco, like you already read somewhere out there the Melco easily beats many music servers in range of 2-3k. And you don't need to buy a Nas anyway because it is also a NAs. Save tons of buck!

[JLM]

It's easy to lose sight as there are many things out there that can stream, from a $350 home theater receiver, Sonos connect, and even blu Ray players for even less, and more options that come down the pipeline with every passing day.

What I peronally think is critical is choosing something with a proven track record of sound quality, reliability, ease of use and good technical support.  If it wasn't for the sound quality part, Sonos would be the obvious choice. Otherwise from what I've experienced, Aurender is still the best to cover all those aforementioned critical factors.

Like all things in consumer electronics you can keep holding out with the hope that something better and cheaper will come out. But at some point you got to jump in with what's best and proven at that point in time.

+1

But seems like all things digital are/will get better/cheaper.  The concept I hold to is: might I get enough use/enjoyment month by month to justify possible future price drops?  Hard to know, but IMO that what it boils down to.  And in my mind money smart decisions hold up on that basis, even for digital gear.

[ted_b]

The only issue to me is that I'm pretty sure you need to have another standalone computer running the software for it.  That pretty much takes me out of the deal.

No different setup than the Aries (unless you want to use it in HQP NAA mode of course) of which you are VERY familiar.  The real gem (supposedly, it's not officially released yet) in the microRendu is it's completely built-from-scratch USB output.  And like the exaSound Playpoint, and to a lesser extent the SonicOrbiter SE, it has multiple uses (you switch modes via simple web interface).  I would venture 60% of it's use will be in UPnP/OpenHome streamer mode, but it will also be used as a MPD streamer, a Squuezelite mode for SB users, Airplay, and most recently announced the endpoint for Roon!  It will likely scream for a good clean power supply (6-9V I believe).  To new streamer prospects it's a no-brainer to have on the eval list for $690 (with iFi PS; $640 without).

I will use it as mainly an OpenHome renderer (Kazoo on iPad) from Minimserver on my Synology NAS, but also MPD, Roon (However, it is another no-brainer to use Roon with HQPlayer so this use will be for giggles only) and compare it to my tweaked out Windows Server JCAT-carded NAA for HQPlayer.  I will get it sans PS and power it via my Uptone JS-2 or a SOtM dual battery.

[Saturn94]

The Gen II looks like a great option, and Jim Salk sounds like he really stands behind his products. Thanks for the tip, I will thoroughly check this out!

Next month Salk is releasing a Gen III version that is Roon ready.  From what I've read so far is sounds right up your alley.

There's some info in this thread about it.  I'm sure Jim Salk would be happy to answer any questions about it.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=142334.0

[JLM]

So Denis where are you from and how much for just a server with HD and WiFi inputs & USB output?