the best, cost-no-object, music streamer?

Some really good reviews of a few options on HiFi Advice:

http://www.hifi-advice.com/reviews-computer-audio.html

I also just tried the Simaudio MiND 180 streamer. Sounded fantastic through the Simaudio 650D dac (sounded better than cd play through the 650D) For about $1,200 it's a much more affordable option than some of the high end solutions like Linn. The MiND streamer will also be built into the new Simaudio 380D dac - just add a computer with a UPnP library management software program (like Asset), a wired/wireless network router and an iPad and you're all set!

I have to say, though, Meridian Sooloos is still miles better than any of the other streaming systems I've seen in terms of tagging, library management software and their iPad app. They've got a good few years on the other companies and it really shows. Different sounding than Simaudio, though. The Meridian house sound is smooth and rich (particularly with their apodizing digital filter, which is supposed to remove pre-ringing) whereas the Simaudio house sound is punchy/rock-solid bass, dynamic and detailed in the high frequencies. Both sound very good but people will have preferences. I'd say the Sim sound will have more initial appeal but the Meridian sound will grow on you over time (that's what happened to me, at least!).

For best SQ, I recommend to get a music server that has USB streaming audio output, such as Sonore or Aurality. With these you can add an external USB converter or USB DAC that contains a better master clock and power delivery to achieve much lower jitter than any of these servers. You can also update these devices as technical advances take place in the future without replacing the server.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

Hello Steve,
On the topic of converters, do you have any plans for an Offramp with DoP support, or do you know of converter out there with both DoP support and I2S out over RJ45? Thanks.

I hear you all.

From reading the posts it seems music streamer needs to be a dedicated unit like sooloos, aurender, linn etc. I've only seen and hear the sooloos. seems the presentation (demo) wasnt setup well in front of me. or probly the music was using a file that is compressed and lossy.

I enjoy listening to my mac mini (amarra+itunes) connected to mcintosh c48 via USB. for past 2 weeks i have been ripping my CD collection. turns out i have couple of albums that i have 2 CD of :-)

i enjoy very much the ability control the mac mini's itunes from my ipad using Remote HD app.

Is there something wrong with my setup? should i buy a master clock?

has anybody tried a master clock, how much "less jitter" does the unit do the whole music experience?

The USB input on the McIntosh is asynchronous, so you are effectively using the clock on the c48. When you put a very good USB converter between the c48 and the Mac, the clock in the USB converter will provide the masterclock to the c48 instead (assuming the S/PDIF inputs are synchronous). It is conceivable this will sound better, but not a foregone conclusion. Only way to find out is to try. You could get one of Steve's Offramp 5 converters. I believe he has 30 day return policy, so if you hear no impovement you send it back.