Network Players

[bob4333]

Currently, I have a Cyrus Stream X2 and pretty well it works too! But......

The Moon Neo Mind 2 comes up in reviews just lately, is it likely to give me any improvement, or is it just a more expensive bit shifter?

Does the renderer influence the sound, or does it just feed the DAC?

Anyone have a view before I go for a trot round the dealers?

[Clive197]

I moved from a Cyrus Stream X2 to a Auralic Aries G1 which does have a much improved SQ. More to the point, the Lightning App to control the streamer is very much in a different league over the Cyrus effort.

[bob4333]

Thanks Clive, that's useful to know. I'll take a look.

Agreed, Cyrus should be ashamed of themselves with that clumsy app. Fortunately there are many others available that work well.

[ReggieB]

I have a Simaudio Moon 180 MiND that I am very pleased with. You can get them on ebay for around £450. It might be a cheaper way of trying the Simaudio MiND sound. The 180 MiND is the best sounding streaming system I've had in my system. It just edges connecting my Melco directly to my DAC. I like the fact that it doesn't have it's own DAC stage. It means that I've been able to keep it through a few DAC upgrades. It's currently connected to the Bryston BDA-1.

[Gazjam]

From experience,
All Network Players are not all equal..

They DO make a difference...

[loonytunes]

I moved from a Cyrus Stream X2 to a Auralic Aries G1 which does have a much improved SQ. More to the point, the Lightning App to control the streamer is very much in a different league over the Cyrus effort.

...and the Bluesound app is better still !

Yes the renderer can make a significant difference in my experience. For example - I'm really putting my money where my mouth is - because after previously owning a Marantz NA7004 then selling it on some time back, I recall just how incredible it was as a transport - so much so I bought another (on its way from eBay) to confirm this and compare against all the other streamers I own.

Major drawback however is the software controlling the NA7004 was rubbish in comparison to newer gear - but the transport was "that" good IIRC I'm willing to make a compromise here (there are ways around this limitation).

I will see if I was right in due course...

[bob4333]

Been doing a fair bit of looking and reading on this but just discovered no support for Android. Is this correct?

[ReggieB]

The MiND software I use with my 180 works fine on Android.

[simon g]

A network player/'net streamer can certainly have an effect on the SQ, IME, even when used as a 'transport' (a la Moon Mind). The MiND app is quite good and getting better. the Bluesound app is the best of all, IMO&E. Moon products would offer a higher SQ as a generalisation, but at a much higher cost. To be honest, a Bluesound Node 2i, with all its functionality and quality, is extremely difficult to beat.

[loonytunes]

A network player/'net streamer can certainly have an effect on the SQ, IME, even when used as a 'transport' (a la Moon Mind). The MiND app is quite good and getting better. the Bluesound app is the best of all, IMO&E. Moon products would offer a higher SQ as a generalisation, but at a much higher cost. To be honest, a Bluesound Node 2i, with all its functionality and quality, is extremely difficult to beat.

I second that! the Node 2i has the best UI and excellent functionality! No USB out might put some off however for USB DAC aficionados - but that's about it! You can also use it as a preamp, and if you like program a physical remote control for it (the BS has an IR sensor). Tidal MQA complete unfolding - Spotify - Qobuz etc etc.

As a transport! Well I'm going to compare it with the NA7004 when it arrives (the NA7004 IIRC was the very best transport I have ever heard despite the crap software application that comes with it). If the Node 2i stands up well against the NA7004 (ignoring functionality - concentrating only on renderer bit quality) - then I would not hesitate in getting the Node 2i.