Looking for a good not expensive streamer

Hi all,

I'm looking for a good wireless streamer to feed my ADI-2 Pro DAC. So the streamer doesn't need to have a DAC. I am not an expert so I probably don't even know what to ask for, except simple requirements like being able to stream from USB disk, and over the WiFi from my network storage.
Also would be nice to be able to listen to radio like on TuneIn.
I have previously used Bubble uPnP from my smart phone.
My personal collection is all FLAC.

Recommendations? Ballpark € 1k.

Edit: anyone have experience with the CAMBRIDGE AUDIO CXN V2?

Jan
As the RME has auto-switching of inputs, I use all three: USB from my computer, Optical from a CCA, and Coax from a JustBoom Digi Zero, on a Pi Zero 2W, running Squeezelite. Works perfectly from all sources.

P1290231.jpg
 
Volumio still running very well on the Tinker Board, a new 6A linear power supply has really kicked things up a notch or two.
Really glad I did this, have a case ready for it, but will need an external antenna before that comes together though.
 
I have been using a Logitech Squeezebox for streaming music into our family room, but recently I have been looking for an affordable alternative.

I thought that I would give Arylic products a try, so I purchased a Up2Stream Pro V3 https://www.arylic.com/products/up2stream-pro-receiver-board

The Arylic website mentioned that the sound is improved using an external DAC so I used i2s output through a ES9018 DAC board.

The streamer unit was dead easy to set up as was the 4STREAM app. I can still access my music files on a PC plus streaming services.

I would put this into the good not expensive streamer category.
 
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I would put this into the good not expensive streamer category.
Thanks ! Nice find for DIY and just 60 bucks.

sound is improved using an external DAC so I used i2s output

I wonder if you can get it to lock onto WIFI using DLNA without using the Arylic app?

What is the max sample rate and bit depth over WIFI if you use DLNA in and I2S out? Can it do 192/24? What about 384/24 or 384/36?
 
I have been using a Logitech Squeezebox for streaming music into our family room, but recently I have been looking for an affordable alternative.

I thought that I would give Arylic products a try, so I purchased a Up2Stream Pro V3 https://www.arylic.com/products/up2stream-pro-receiver-board

The Arylic website mentioned that the sound is improved using an external DAC so I used i2s output through a ES9018 DAC board.

The streamer unit was dead easy to set up as was the 4STREAM app. I can still access my music files on a PC plus streaming services.

I would put this into the good not expensive streamer category.
Thanks for the nice sharing, I I've been looking for such DIY boards. And I found their fantastic WiFi and Bluetooth 5.0 2.1 plate amp with optical input which really meets my needs.
But there is only 1 review. Have you used it before? I am wondering about the sound quality.
 
Hi Leon,
The Up2Stream Pro V3 board is my first experience with the Arylic brand, I cannot comment on their plate amp unit, but I’m pretty sure that the streaming part of the unit would be the same. The build quality is excellent and I am more than happy with the sound quality and features of the unit.
Hope this helps…
 
Hi Leon,
The Up2Stream Pro V3 board is my first experience with the Arylic brand, I cannot comment on their plate amp unit, but I’m pretty sure that the streaming part of the unit would be the same. The build quality is excellent and I am more than happy with the sound quality and features of the unit.
Hope this helps…
That's great, I saw they have 30 days free return so I think I can buy one to try first. Thanks for your help!
 
Bummer! Maybe the budget of 1000 Euro should have a lower limit of let's say 100 Euro as well. After all you get what you pay for. Also a set of minimum requirements would be OK to weed out incomplete devices. I recently found a device without SPDIF coax output and no USB at all, no high res capability and I wondered what purpose that device could have.

So IMO for example a "B class" device could have following features as bare minimum:

  • either SPDIF coax or Toslink (preferably both)
  • at least 1 USB 2.0 port for local storage (being able to use it as output is big bonus)
  • ethernet or wireless network
  • a usable app without any nag screen/advertisements
  • 24/96 capable as minimum
  • device should be encased or there should be a casing available
  • gapless + bit perfect

An "A class" device could for example have 2 x USB (3.1?), 24/192 + DSD capability, MQA, multiroom (who uses this?), internal storage, internal DAC, both ethernet and wireless AC.

I see no use for "C class" devices that are hampered in any way for serious hifi use. With all the content providers popping up like mushrooms with their fantastic subscription models I think it is even harder to discern devices when one looks at which content providers should be supported 🙂
 
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