Something with the feature set of the CXN v2, Roon compatibility and that price tag won’t be easy to come by. I can’t think of anything in that projected price range that gets you where you want to be. At roughly twice your budget (UK rrp, there are deals) I can thoroughly recommend the Teac NT-505. With the latest firmware it integrates into Roon perfectly. The display only gives basic information pertaining to source and file types but it all works well and is an elegant solution in my opinion.
As Henry mentioned there isn’t much in your price range.
You also seem to be looking for a streaming DAC more than a network streamer in the traditional sense.
Auralic Vega G1 ticks all your requirements but it’s over 3 times the price.
HiFiBerry has a DAC hat with XLR out, don’t they?
Are you looking for a streamer or Streamer/DAC? Sounds like you need a streamer DAC combo. The Lumin D2 has great reviews and comes in at $2300. I have not owned one, but it’s certainly a well regarded unit. Is something new required? And when you need a display, is this for navigation, or for cover art? (e.g. Auralic Vega G1/G2).
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Budget choice: TEAC NT-505 32BITs/768KHz + DSD512(USB) 32BITs/384KHz+DSD128(Ethernet) + ROON Ready + TIDAL MQA … （1.2K US DOLLAR) , almost everything you need. I use that with my aged McIntosh MA6400 + B&W 603
Mid-range choice: Cary Audio DMS-550/DMS-600 32BITs/768KHz + DSD512(USB) 32BITs/384KHz+DSD256(Ethernet) + ROON Ready + TIDAL MQA … (5K/6K US DOLLAR)
High-end choice: CH-Precision C1 + Ethernet Card Option (20K US DOLLAR) , Only 32BITs/384KHz+DSD256(Ethernet) + NOT ROON Ready + NO TIDAL MQA …if You want decode by C1 using TIDAL MQA and ROON, You have to choose a streamer, such like a AURALIC ARIES G2 with CH C1 USB interface option (384KHz PCM and DSD 128 DoP）. But CH C1 has the GREAT Sound crystal clear, if you have a pair of good speakers and AMP above 20K. My father have CH system for years, 4 years now actually, still the best combine not for the Digital RATE but SOUND.
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I can also happily recommend the Lumin D2, but on a lower budget the new PecanPi might be worth exploring?
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If the CXN really is ‘perfect’ then you could hack Roon with the UPnP Bridge.
This device allows you to at least try using UPnP devices with Roon although with it isn’t guaranteed that it works with all streamers. If you are lucky the CXN might be on the tested list, or you may just need to be the one who can tell them it works. Still cheaper than most if not all alternatives that combine Roon Readiness with the features you want.
I have used MicroRendu, allows me to choose various DACs, in the price range $80 to $20,000.
More flexible than a single box.
Although the box count goes up, with all the power supplies.
Thank you for all the replies. Yes, a streamer/DAC and, a larger budget. My local has that TEAC unit in their shop, but I will have something to look for at Axpona this year!
I should also mention that the majority of my music is CD audio… Should I be upsampling with Roon?
Try it and see if you like it better upsampled…trust your own ears in your own setup. It’s easy enough to turn on and off and costs you nothing. At higher rates your core hardware might struggle depending on its capabilities.
Bluesound Node 2, Auralic, Primare
Easy- if your budget stretches, go for the Naim Uniti Star. Fully Roon ready, great streamer, connectivity and rips CD’s as well
Take a look at this Altair. I have a Auralic Polaris on order for my office setup which includes an amp section, but it does not have balanced outputs.
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My core is a linux computer, pretty much purpose-built for my CD collection. Performs like a champ, and I get to “get my geek on”. Another other DSP tricks to try? I know that “headroom” is often recommended…
Also, I have a pretty good DAC with my preamp (Parasound) but I think a streamer/dac would be worth the investment… I don’t see myself going to a separate DAC anytime in the future.
A vote for the Bluesound Node 2i here. Great bit of kit. I have it plumbed into an X-Sabre DAC but the on-board DAC is not to be sniffed at.
I previously had a CXN with an interation of Raspberry Pi Roonbridge & that also worked flawlessly.
The sound quality of both was pretty similar to my (rather abused) ears…
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Given budget limitations, an all-in-one box like the Lumin D2 would seem sensible.
If you go down the separate box route, then this could easily go past the price of a Lumin D2.
I use a Project Audio Stream Box S2 Ultra, but this worked with the boxes I had already invested in (Pre Box RS Digital and associated linear power supply). Not sure I would have done this if starting from scratch.
Only other budget alternative would be the Allo USB bridge. You would still need a good DAC though.
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I was running a Cambridge audio Stream Magic v2 running roon through a 2012 Mac mini. Could find both used quite easily and likely within budget. Worked really well
Hi,
Maybe not the solution for audiophiles, but I have a CXN and it works fine for me. After advice from members of this forum (thank you all!). I stream from my hp laptop (where Roon and my music collection is) to my CXN via airplay. I also cast Roon to my Sony TV simultaneously using its built in chromecast to show the display.
I also use MusicBee in a similar way and mirror my laptop on my TV screen using an HDMI cable (Haven’t worked out if I can display Roon on the TV using the HDMI cable, as I only received the cable this morning).
I think it is also possible to hardwire from laptop to CXN using a USB cable. but alas the distance for me is 10m so not possible for me.
It may also be possible to connect using ethernet, but I haven’t tried that option.
Pete
Martin, I currently have a Lumin D2 and was wondering if there was a noticeable difference when you upgraded from the D1 to the A1?
Dan
Hi Dan,
Yes there was, more than I could have hoped for really.
I was actually more than happy with the D1 at the time I stumbled accross the opportunity to upgrade. The D1 just sounded absolutely great in my Linn Majik system, and I really couldn’t fault it.
However, when the A1 was plumbed-in, everything just became more ‘immediate’. The bass seemed to gain an octave down below, and the music became more ‘ordered’, with almost a jump in resolution. It was as if the D1 in comparison to the A1 was a little ‘fuzzy around the edges’. With the A1, it just feels like you’re closer to the music, with a seemingly quieter background and more coherent presentation.
Have you the opportunity to upgrade?
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