Streamers

[dreams]

Just wondering if I’m likely to hear an improvement if I change my node2i to the eversolo streamer if I’ll be using the Rmc1l dac instead of the eversolo’s dac?  I don’t really need a new streamer but the eversolo DMP-A6 looks so nice.

[SteveH]

I don't know, but I will take that Node 2i off your hands 😆

[quattroll2]

I tried the Eversolo Z6 and was pretty smitten by the build quality and the functionality, especially the phone app which is very slick. It also has a dual mono configuration that I think should make the preamp volume better than most, despite the use of older chips. I sent it back (Amazon) though because the popping issue mentioned in the reviews there was present. I did not want to speculate on firmware fixes so I returned it. Obviously that model is a dac, not a streamer/dac, and that is what I was primarily after.

During this time I got a Topping e70 which I really like, but that was for a secondary setup, although I used it on my primary system to fully understand its capabilities. I also tried an SMSL D300 with the vaunted Rhom chip, which was nice but didn’t grab me over the Topping which has balance and trigger features. Then I tried a VMV D1se, and found it to be a big step forward over those two. Before my return period ended, I noticed that the version 2 of that model was available so I tried it too, and I felt that was even better and not by a small margin. Despite other models costing more from the ChiFi brands, I settled on the V2 because I loved how it sounded, and I thought I would just stop there. I did discover the Eversolo streamer just before my return ended for the V2, but decided not to switch because the streamer is not on Amazon, and therefore the return situation is not easy/as easy.

I was tempted because these models are about the same price, but if there are any glitches like the popping issue, you may not be happy with it. For streaming I am using a WIIM mini which I find to be pretty good, but i am mostly using Apple Music and Sirius XM.

I haven’t been able to really understand/find a streamer that does these things markedly better, for reasonable money. The screen is pretty amazing, and album art would be nice to have, but it all depends on your subscriptions whether it is worth it I think.

Not sure if this was all that helpful, but I would stick to spending on a great dac first and let the streamer landscape mature some more.

[quattroll2]

Now I see you did mention the RMC, so my bad about the dac, but my impression still stands for others in a focused stero setup.

[LuisV]

Jun 5, 2023 16:09:47 GMT -5 dreams said:

Just wondering if I’m likely to hear an improvement if I change my node2i to the eversolo streamer if I’ll be using the Rmc1l dac instead of the eversolo’s dac?  I don’t really need a new streamer but the eversolo DMP-A6 looks so nice.

In the end you're listening to the implementation of the DAC, so in my humble opinion, since you're listening to the DAC of the RMC 1L, no, you won't hear an improvement.  Does the built in DAC of the Node sound better than the RMC1L or Eversolo, only your ears can judge that.  What are you using as a source?  Tidal, Qobuz or Roon integrated with these subscriptions?  Simply asking because Roon can leverage a TV as the display for media art, so it negates the need for a streamer with a large screen.

[localnet]

I had the Cambridge streamer, it was buggy, had volume spikes out of the blue. I replaced with the Node N130, I liked the Node, but I upgraded DACs to the Denafrips Venus II 12th and found it lacking. I installed the LHY power module with the LHY linear power supply, there was a marked improvement, but still not happy with the Node, I wanted i2s. Then I went and bought the Pi2 Mercury V2 streamer and installed the RoPieeeXL OS on it and am not looking back. The Mercury is not something you put on your rack, I have mine hidden behind the TV on a shelf.

Everything is pumped through a 2018 Mac mini with the TeraDac linear power supply unit, using the screen sharing control off of my iMac that lives in my dining room. The RoPieeeXL operating systems plays everything I can throw at it without a hiccup. The Mercury is incredibly stable, it has never crashed, no clicks, no hum, just dead silence. I do have it running off of an LHY 12v Linear Power Supply... Which is plugged into one of the Emotiva CMX-6 power conditioners, or whatever they are. I installed six 20 amp breakers in my panel, and they supply six outlets with 12/2 romex that feed my AV setup. Clean power is key, I cannot believe how much noise is on both the network and the power feed. That was my mission this year, and the results are stunning. I have multiple LHY linear power supplies, even my Roku is fed with one, and it does make a huge improvement, along with those Netgear GS108Ev3 switches mentioned in the next paragraph.

The Mercury is fed via a Cat8 ethernet cable (UGreen) from the Mac mini, no USB or wifi for anything. I also added the LHY SW-8 and a few Netgear GS108Ev3 network switches with a bit of fiber optic between the main router and the switch. You would not believe the noise these switches clean up, my TV PQ went through the roof! The Mercury with the RoPieeeXL OS is the BOMB! I have tried every connection on it to the Venus, i2s is the best, with AES pulling up the rear. The i2s is the PS Audio standard, and I use the QED HDMI cables out of GB, where they are made, not China, and are the only truly certified HDMI cables I have found. They were $36 ea...

If you are looking for a robust, do everything streamer, you seriously need to look at the Mercury V2 streamer and the RoPieeeXL operating system, which is free to download. I did throw the developer a few dollars, and I think I will again today, as he has already had to updates in the past two months. Give it a look. It is not pretty, no screen, just a metal box with the needed connections. A bit pricey for what it is, but the sound I get out of that box is pretty darn good. It even has clocking built in. No DDC or clock required. I just sold my Iris DDC, as the network connection with the switches and Cat8 cable sounded so much better.

[LuisV]

Jun 6, 2023 15:10:17 GMT -5 localnet said:

I had the Cambridge streamer, it was buggy, had volume spikes out of the blue. I replaced with the Node N130, I liked the Node, but I upgraded DACs to the Denafrips Venus II 12th and found it lacking. I installed the LHY power module with the LHY linear power supply, there was a marked improvement, but still not happy with the Node, I wanted i2s. Then I went and bought the Pi2 Mercury V2 streamer and installed the RoPieeeXL OS on it and am not looking back. The Mercury is not something you put on your rack, I have mine hidden behind the TV on a shelf.

Everything is pumped through a 2018 Mac mini with the TeraDac linear power supply unit, using the screen sharing control off of my iMac that lives in my dining room. The RoPieeeXL operating systems plays everything I can throw at it without a hiccup. The Mercury is incredibly stable, it has never crashed, no clicks, no hum, just dead silence. I do have it running off of an LHY 12v Linear Power Supply... Which is plugged into one of the Emotiva CMX-6 power conditioners, or whatever they are. I installed six 20 amp breakers in my panel, and they supply six outlets with 12/2 romex that feed my AV setup. Clean power is key, I cannot believe how much noise is on both the network and the power feed. That was my mission this year, and the results are stunning. I have multiple LHY linear power supplies, even my Roku is fed with one, and it does make a huge improvement, along with those Netgear GS108Ev3 switches mentioned in the next paragraph.

The Mercury is fed via a Cat8 ethernet cable (UGreen) from the Mac mini, no USB or wifi for anything. I also added the LHY SW-8 and a few Netgear GS108Ev3 network switches with a bit of fiber optic between the main router and the switch. You would not believe the noise these switches clean up, my TV PQ went through the roof! The Mercury with the RoPieeeXL OS is the BOMB! I have tried every connection on it to the Venus, i2s is the best, with AES pulling up the rear. The i2s is the PS Audio standard, and I use the QED HDMI cables out of GB, where they are made, not China, and are the only truly certified HDMI cables I have found. They were $36 ea...

If you are looking for a robust, do everything streamer, you seriously need to look at the Mercury V2 streamer and the RoPieeeXL operating system, which is free to download. I did throw the developer a few dollars, and I think I will again today, as he has already had to updates in the past two months. Give it a look. It is not pretty, no screen, just a metal box with the needed connections. A bit pricey for what it is, but the sound I get out of that box is pretty darn good. It even has clocking built in. No DDC or clock required. I just sold my Iris DDC, as the network connection with the switches and Cat8 cable sounded so much better.

I always wanted to try a Pi 2 Design streamer, but never pulled the trigger.  Been using a Pi with Ropieee for years with great results.  

[localnet]

I am listening to mine right now... Muddy Waters... Venus II 12th DAC, XPA-2 and a pair of KLH Model 5's... And two SB-3000 subs... DAMN! I'm in Heaven.

Network switches matter. ;-)