Help me find a network streamer with I2S output (not a DAC)!

Audio Gear Talk
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Hi everyone!
I did not think finding a network streamer would be this difficult, but I have been searching for days and cannot find the right one for my setup. Maybe I am making this more difficult that it needs to be, so tell me if that’s the case!

But first, let me explain what I am looking for. By “network streamer”, I don’t mean an integrated amplifier with a DAC, amplification and Ethernet connector. There are plenty of those, and in fact, I have one: the Naim Uniti Nova (great device btw).

I need the network streamer for another “separate components” system I am building. I have a DAC (LAiV Harmony DAC), a Preamp, an amplifier, and now I just want a network streamer that accepts Ethernet and outputs digital signal over an “I2S” connector. So I need a device that does not have a DAC, does not have amplification, etc. Why I2S you ask? Because that is the best connection for my specific LAiV Harmony DAC. Unfortunately, that also eliminates a lot of network streamers like Lumin, Cambridge, Blue Sound, etc.

I would really like to have a front display on this streamer, but I may have to go without one. The only options I have found are:

Halo Audio Red - no display, has I2S output port
Volumio Rivo Plus - no display, has I2S output, seems like everyone is out of stock and no US distributor that I can find
Eversolo T8: On paper has everything I want, but seems like the audio quality is not great
Hifi Rose RS151: Everything I need and more, but very expensive - much more than my DAC, and I can’t justify it for my setup

Are there others that I am missing? I know I can build one with RaspberryPI, and I have in the past specifically for Roon, but I am looking for one that has good software for various streaming apps, and is also supported by an audio equipment vendor.

I would really appreciate your help and suggestions!

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I tried couples .. PS Audio AirLens fit me the best

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Thank you @mitchell_lim for your response. I will check out the PS Audio AirLens!

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I just got the Holo Audio Red a few weeks ago and I’m very happy with it. Well built and easy to setup up. Works and sounds quite well in my system. I was also looking for something that is just a streamer. I like the fact it doesn’t have a display. Just one little LED. Simple.

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Tony, thank you! Glad to hear from someone that has the Halo Audio Red and likes it!

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Be a bit cautious with audio HDMI I2S ports of consumer products like streamers and the like.
There’s rather no standard for this, and CE manufacturers implement such HDMI I2S ports differently. The physical port is the same as standard HDMI but the pins are sometimes used differently.
That’s why some of such audio devices offer to configure the actual HDMI I2S pin layout in some settings.
Be aware, only because you can physically connect two HDMI I2S devices doesn’t mean that it’ll work :index_pointing_up:t3:

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I also use an AirLens with a PS Audio DAC, so no I2S compatibility issues there. I have one other setup where my DAC (Wired4Sound) accepts I2S but my streamer outputs USB, so I use a AudioByte Hydra Z which is kind of a unique item. It takes a variety of inputs, including USB, and converts to a different format out, including I2S. This saved me from having to replace my streamer. It’s been a while since I set it up, but I believe it has configuration switches so you can match them to your DAC’s needs. I don’t think it works with every combination out there, so still worth investigating before purchasing.

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Depending on your timeframe the new yet to be released LAIV streamer may be an option

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maddib, thank you for the comment on I2S and lack of standard for it. Fortunately my DAC is configurable to support various configurations, so I am hopeful that it would work.

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Karl, thank you. Great to hear another positive feedback on PS Audio AirLens.

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Henry, that was my plan - to buy the upcoming LAiV streamer. But I contacted LAiV and it looks like it will be a long time before it will be released. So I need to buy something else unfortunately.

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Eversolo T8

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Volumio Rivo Plus - Roon ready

Torben

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I have an EverSolo T8 that I have connected to a Gustard R30 DAC via I2S and it sounds wonderful. Could you please explain why you feel that audio quality is not great. I ask this because EverSolo is a Chinese company which makes audio equipment that has many of the features and build quality of traditional high end audio equipment except for the high price and therefore gets less than stellar reviews from many of the high end audio gatekeepers/reviewers.

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Jazzfan_NJ, I hear you, and you’re right that some people would consider the Chinese equipment as being lower quality and rate them poorly due to that. I have read some positive reviews of the Eversolo T8 as well, but in many cases the reviewers compare it to their other network streamers they own and state that it is not as good, but is good enough for its price range. However with some others like Volumio Rivo Plus, Halo Audio Red or PS Audio AirLens, typically the reviewers are impressed by the audio quality and rate them very highly without the remark about their price range.

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The Eversolo T8 sounds wonderful, much more detailed than the Lumin D1 I have had beforehand. Holo Audio Red is made in China like other Holo Audio stuff but that isn’t a bad thing. And personally after using the PS Audio Gain Cell Dac and Pre, if I was buying another PS Audio piece, Id have in the mindset its way too smoothed out and no detail, so Id be cautious of the Airlens.

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This is likely not what you’re looking for, but if you want a top notch I2S-transport, have a look at the IAN Canada HDMI Pi Pro II.
I am currently using this with my LAiV uDAC and the results are significantly better than my previous Auralic Aries G2.1+Nagra HD DAC/MPS… Go figure?!

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The old “it’s good enough for streaming back music” nonsense and some way over priced and over built boutique brand streamer is the one to get. Spare me. As I stated the T8 checks every audiophile box and does it at a much lower price point. To put it another way, if there are $1,500 digital interconnects in your system than the T8 is not for you.

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A few years ago I setup a RaspberryPI 4 with a linear power supply and RoPieee image for Roon streaming, and it sounded really good. I am sure with a good Hat like what you have it sounds even better than the RPi’s built-in USB. But at this point I am looking for something that is supported by a vendor. Thanks!

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The ONIX XMT20 was announced a few days ago. It will offer 10 selectable preconfigured I2S pinouts for wide compatibility.