Yeah using seperates is not what I’m talking about. There are many network/streaming dacs on the market. Only 2 are NAA and do DSD correctly that are under $25k.
You mean DSD with NAA built-in support? Can these DACs be updated esaily as I do see some NAA updates from time to time. To me, a PC/MAC/RPi would be more flexible even just for NAA.
That’s a better question for @jussi_laako.
If the Gustards can have built in NAA then it can’t be difficult to implement.
We need to get a AH90 to jussi to test.
Gustard says they updated the firmware for dsd direct
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Those all have a host of issues to solve on their own. But yes flexible.
We’re talking a niche of a niche: those who care about DSD Direct at very high rates and those who use HQP. Additionally, the marketing budget for HQPlayer to go incentivize network DAC manufacturers to put NAA on their platform is probably right around 0.
Just look at how few network DACs support RAAT and that’s with an entire certification and marketing program from Roon Labs.
USB DAC is the way to go with an NAA streamer… and with a good USB interface on the DAC I don’t think you need much more than a Rasp Pi or an Up Squared.
I hear the LinQ sounds pretty darn amazing if you want more plug + play.
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I have heard the LinQ as a streamer as my buddy took home a loaner from a local dealer. I brought my mini pc running HPQ4 with a RPI4 as NAA, and my intona to compare in his system with an Aqua La Scala DAC.
It was not a fair fight as the LinQ was not running Hqplayer upsampling or as a NAA with HQP but the HPQ mini pc setup beats the LinQ as a plain streamer hands down, my buddy returned the loaner the next day, ordered a RPI4 and an intona and a HPQ license.
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To put in my 2 cents, I feed two of my USB DACS with opticalRendus and a third one with an ultraRendu. RAAT works with all 3.
Not a fan of iFi?
Neo Stream has both fiber and RJ45 input
NAA supported
Has been around a while now
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I don’t know how much Roon was backed by venture capital before, but certainly now they have some monetary backing (amd more people). But generally, my approach is different. Rather than putting money on marketing, I rather put the money on R&D investments. Because I believe that will better serve goals of HQPlayer.
This also gives edge to those manufacturers who recognize this and proactively want to support HQPlayer. Or the ones who are actually making their own thing and just find it rather easy to do so.
In most cases when HQPlayer NAA is not supported, manufacturer is just buying entire “streaming solution” from StreamUnlimited or ConversDigital (familiar from the mConnect Player). And these just see HQPlayer as a competitor and thus don’t want to support it.
Of course sometimes the manufacturer just dislikes HQPlayer in general and doesn’t want to support it for some other reason.
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The longer I hold back from buying an “audiophile streamer” the less I’m interested in even reading reviews. If anyone asks… my declining interest was certainly helped by lack of NAA. So, I guess, HQPlayer has saved me a fair bit of cash… that I’ll throw at an mid-priced / expensive DAC and a more powerful HQPlayer build.
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This is exemplified by the introduction of HOLO CYAN 2, which is specifically designed for HQPlayer.
We’re behind you. Come on.
No Roon on that
How did Gustard get NAA? Or any company They just reach out to you?
What does solo Roon do for you that Roon+HQP can’t ??
I use Roon and Hqp
I didn’t think that the Ifi streaming dacs supported Roon
For Roon+HQP don’t you only need NAA support lol
Which it does
Remember Roon plays to HQP. HQP plays to NAA
Are you drinking @Cameron_Rector 
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@dabassgoesboomboom So It wouldn’t matter then? Ahh ok. Honestly didn’t know that. I thought that the ifi would have to be compatible with both!
Damn with a fiber input too! 
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I’ve only looked into the ifi signature and I don’t think that one has NAA
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Yeah!!! Fully agreed, That’s why, IMHO, it sounds the best amongst all the solutions I tried for upsampling (i.e. Roon, Foobar, Audirvāna, and PGGB)
I share the same view. To be honest, other than “better integration”, “look nice”, “trendy”, “convenience”, etc., I don’t see any real benefits for the final audio output by using a streamer at all. Did I miss anything here?
BTW, Wifi and wired is another mistery to me… they really sound different? I don’t know but I don’t really experence any difference between wifi and wired.