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Top music streamer for 2019? Aurender N10’s?

I will shortly be purchasing a Gryphon Diablo 300 integrated with its internal DAC module.  I’m now wondering what to do about a music streamer, as I’m doubting that my current stock Mac Mini with Audirvana will do justice to the Gryphon.  My budget is < 10k.  After scanning forums this is what I’ve found consistently:  1) Aurender is frequently recommended, seemingly more so than other brands, 2) the Aurender N10 sounds much better than the much less expensive N100H, 3) Any higher end dedicated streamer will elevate sound significantly over my Mac Mini.

So it appears my best option is the Aurender N10 other than the price tag.  My questions are:  1) Do people agree with the statements above?  And, 2) How do the much less expensive Moon Mind 2 and Bluesound products compare with the Aurender N10?  Is the difference large?  And, 3) How big is the sound quality increase going to a N10 from a Mac Mini, and what specifically are the differences I should expect? 

Thanks

nyev
aniwolfe
544 posts
 
Possible hard-drive failure is one of the MAIN reasons I went with the Lumin streamer. Very full, rich sounding product.
I am sure the Innuos and the Aurender are fantastic...however I want to be able to replace the hard-drive myself and choose what size and brand hard-drive to use. Something to consider when buying these digital streaming products. Good Luck!
redlenses03
9 posts
 
Question on the Innuos or similar. Maybe this is for a different thread? but in the case where one is looking for just the endpoint what are the best alternatives to an Innuos? It would seem that a Innuos would be total overkill if looking for say just a ROON endpoint and or HQP NAA, no?.
Additionally, and in my case, I’m needing an NAA compatible device for HQP and thus my use of a microU, but going onto what Darko was stating in his Innuos review, he stated the Innuos is better than several streamers and endpoints, including the UltraRendu.

Now I take that with a grain of salt (too many variables) and his network is certainly different than my network, which could potentially have a significant influence overall.
canibefrank
104 posts
 
https://www.miveraaudio.com
Purestream MK2 DAC
maybe
davidz
40 posts
 
I've had the Antiopodes CX+EX combo for about a month -- my first exposure to their products. Simply spectacular, IMHO. 
worldwidewholesales
87 posts
 
Hi,
If you contact Bob at Rhapsody Audio in NY, he has done direct comparisons between the $20000 Aurender and the $9100 Rockna Wave Dream Net server and he prefers the Rockna server.

Personally we have done direct A/B comparisons of 75 different devices and we feel that Rockna is among the very best digital in the world. The Rockna WD Net has a built in reclocker is the most analogue sounding server we have tested.

Cheers,
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