Good Internet Streamer To Pair With Yggdrasil 2
 

I am looking for streamer recommendations on a soon to be acquired Yggs.

I’ll be going into a Mcintosh Pre and Power amp and am looking to stream Tidal, Qobuz, etc.

Thanks!

What's your budget and would a network bridge suffice?

Budget....maybe sweetspot around 1-3k, if necessary possibly a bit more...

Not sure I really understand what a bridge is?

I know what pumacat is going to say, let me beat him to it...

He helped me too.

The sotm sms 200 ultra neo and sps 500 power supply will come in under 2k and really are fantastic! It took my streaming to the next level.

Network bridge is "ethernet to USB". I'm sure he will have more to say about this.

Forgot to mention, you'll probably want to run roon on a server on the same network as well.

The sotm has some other music source choices but I haven't explored them.

A network bridge allows you to stream 1) files resident on a hard drive connected to a computer, or 2) from a streaming service, to a DAC.

Functionally, its role is to take files sent from a music server or IP connection via copper Ethernet and convert the signal to a USB output for sending to a DAC. It can also be used in conjunction with an Ethernet switch and/or fiber media convertor to receive digital files via optical fiber from a remote music server, and then output via USB to a USB-capable DAC. The key thing about network bridge is that it is both configurable and controllable via a network interface using a smart phone, computer or tablet.

In many ways, it is functionally analagous to a streamer, e.g. a BluSound or Innuous, etc.

One of the nice things about a network bridge as opposed to streamers that use high-bandwidth CPUs is that network bridges don't spew high-bandwidth noise all around your audio rack to be picked up by components and amplified as more noise.

And yes, I am big fan of the SOtM UltraNeo network bridge. I use it in conjunction with Roon to stream files from the music server that resides 40 feet away in another part of the house to send either ripped files or stream from services like Qobuz, Tidal, etc. So, I configure the SOtM using its own Eunhasu software, and then use Roon to select and deliver content via my network connection to my DAC.

The nice thing about network bridges is they are typically less expensive than Steamers e.g. Squeezebox Touch (discontinued), Aurender, Innuous, etc.

You can get a streamer, e.g. the Allo Volumio Primo for 475 Euro, or the Sonore UltraRendu for about $875.

The SOtM SMS-200 UltraNeo netowork bridge that Marc references is about $1200. Pair it with a Keces P3 power supply for ~$400, and you are good to go.

This will give you performance just shy of the Auralic Aries G2 that sells for about $4K.

I’m running a Bel Canto e.One Stream with my Yggy, all Qobuz and NAS hi-res files. It’s worked well for me, no complaints.

Auralic Aries G1 (G2 has better power supplies and a better chassis and better feet with options for external clock)

Lumin U1/U1 mini

dCS Network Bridge

It's going to come down to whether you want an all in one solution with dedicated software like with Auralic, Lumin, Innuos or Aurender or multiple pieces with multiple cables and power supplies using "generic" software applications like Sonore and SOTM. They will both get you there but the road will be different with a different learning curve.

Good Internet Streamer To Pair With Yggdrasil 2
 

Although my first choice was the dCS Network Bridge, its lack of wifi made the Aries G2 the only true alternative. Having used the Aries G2 for some time now, I’m very satisfied with my purchase.

The Aries G1 at half the price of the Aries G2 seems like excellent value. You really don’t miss out on a lot for most use cases.

The G2 opens the door to an excellent upgrade path that allows you to assemble the full Auralic stack as budget permits.

Whatever product one chooses, I would highly recommend that it is a recognised ROON Ready endpoint.

I'm a happy owner of an Aries G1, a great choice for your budget. For access to Tidal or Qobuz, you can use Auralic's own control software running on an iPad. If Android is preferred, you can use a DLNA control point (e.g., BubbleUPnP) on an Android tablet, as I do. A third option is via Roon.

A nice feature of the Aries is serving as a music server/player from a USB drive (thumb or spinning). Not every network unit offers that capability.

I would advise not counting on future features, but FYI, Auralic plans to support plugging an optical disc reader into the Aries's USB drive port, allowing the Aries G1 or G2 to serve as a memory-based disc player as well as a streamer.

I found the Aries G1 a noticeable improvement from the older Aries Femto. The Bricasti M5 in comparison offered the same sound quality as the Aries G1, but fewer features. As an existing Auralic customer, I received a large trade-in value towards a G1, which made it a compelling choice.

Mike48, Thank you for your post. I have been trying to find a decent streaming transport that is not tethered to ethernet cable... and you solved my problem. They must be pretty well thought of because I can not find one on the used market.

Glad I could help. Good luck finding one! (You know about HiFi Shark -- a site that indexes used gear from many sites?)

A budget alternative: Project Stream Box S2 Ultra

IMHO that’s an overpriced Raspberry Pi. There’s nothing really unique about it.

Not much unique about streamers in general. They are all just simple computers, most less capable than the $400 intel nuc kit, which is what I built mine from because I needed to run a windows driver to get native DSD out of the McIntosh C53 with roon.

I simply pointed out a less expensive streamer than the aurelic that also includes wifi.

There is no question that if one is inclined to DIY it could be done more cheaply.

I just ordered a yggy and have a microrendu with linear power supply laying around I will likely use with it.

Btw, pointing out the Project Box was in no way a knock or comparo with the Aries or any other bridge; just info. Aurelic makes nice stuff.

Inexpensive stream renderers (network bridges)
 

Yeah, there are some really good budget alternatives these days. One winter day, I built a streamer with Raspberry Pi 3, Allo DigiOne S/PDIF output card, and iFi iPower power supply. Total cost was way under $200. When I hooked it up, it gave my Auralic Aries G1 a good run for the money. I am not one to spend weeks on gear comparisons, but in my experience, the Aries G1 won on features, ease of interface, appearance, and a little more ease in the highest frequencies. The inexpensive RPi box would be right at home in many mid-priced systems or second systems. (Well, maybe not Ivan's second system!)

Hello Stephen - what is the input power requirement for the SOtM SMS-200? Web site does not specify, or I could not find it. I have some good power supplies available and this looks like a good device to get started with Roon.

Thx!

And I am not discounting the Pi as a streamer - only that Project seems to ask a lot for it when u can do this pretty easily.

Here's Johnny Darko
https://darko.audio/2020/01/raspberr...streaming-101/

Hi!

The SMS-200 UltraNeo is available in a range of input voltages: 6.5V-8.5V, 9V, and 12V. So, you can order it so it will work with a whole range of 3rd party linear power supplies.

I ordered a 12V so that I could use the 12V side of my Keces P3 LPS (it will power two devices via separate outputs) to power that if I wanted, and the 5V/7V/9V side for something like a Sonore Optical Module or 9V for an EtherREGEN, etc.

I really like it a LOT. Its an outstanding unit. And, you can get with a 50 Ohm coax input for an external clock if you want to go "all in". If you have the budget you can get the Special Edition with trick caps and the like.

It has performed absolutely flawlessly in the 10 months or so I've had it. A notable jump over the Sonore microRendu. Outstanding Roon endpoint; I'm listening to it out now as I write this.

Hans Beekhuzen is of the view its only surpassed by the Aries G2 at ~4X the price.

Highest possible reco from me. :thumbsup:

+1 I have it with the 12v power supply and clock input.

Plus I have an etherregen coming to go optical and take everything to the next level.

Great stuff, it finally equals spinning a disc.

Yeah, it does.

Just wait 'til you get the EtherREGEN...:banana:

You will find going optical reduces the noise floor even further.

And...no leakage current to cause phase noise! :thumbsup: