Which Streamer is Right for me? 2022 version.

Back in April of 2019 I wrote a post titled "which streamer is right for me?". It summarized the features and functions of the 3 main brands of streamers I carried at the time. Those brands were Auralic, Innuos, and Lumin.

Flash forward to 2022 and we have another arrow to add to our quiver of streamers, Hifi Rose.

My goal in this post is to update you on the features of each, and perhaps give you a little more insight into their sonic flavorings. I will tell you up front that they are all more similar than different, but there are subtle differences.

Auralic

The Auralic Altair G1.1 Streamer, DAC with Volume Control

What's changed: The G1 and G2 are now G1.1 and 2.1, and there are the Altair models now available. The Altairs are considered Streaming DACs with volume controls. They also feature an analog input for an external analog source.

The .1 series incorporate new chassis, that's it. The chassis is a slight improvement as it is now a copper inner chassis within the milled aluminum chassis.

The Lightning app has had many improvements to it, and is quite impressive. More importantly it has improved stability. You have upsampling capability, a parametric EQ, and the option of uploading speaker correction files from Room EQ Wizard to name just a few options.

Adding a CD Drive: Like the HiFi Rose streamers, you can add an external CD drive for playback and ripping of CD's. One important thing to note is it is recommended to power the CD drive separately and not to rely on the USB bus power to drive it.

Sound: The Auralic House sound leans more neutral than Innuos, less neutral perhaps than Lumin. With the right mix of components, they are absolutely beautiful sounding streamers.

• Frequency Balance: Neutral to just warm of neutral. Vocals are neither thin nor overly full. Midrange layering and detail are exceptional.
• Resolution: Very low noise, and high resolution playback. Of course the 2.1 are higher resolution than the 1.1 
• Dimensionality: Excellent soundstaging
• Transient Attack: Sharp starts and stops. Good dynamic expression.
• Layering: This is a strength of Auralic. Layering and detail are very good.
• Flow Factor: Very good, but not best in class. Cabling and tweaking can change this factor dramatically.

Who the Auralic Streamers might be for: The Auralic streamers might be for the customer who needs wireless streaming, multiple digital outputs, and does not necessarily need storage or CD ripping capability, but can have it if the need arises without changing components. Auralic streamers have a small front display which may be important to some users as well. If you're a fan of neutrality with a hint of warmth this may be your streamer.

Innuos

Innuos Statement Nextgen Streamer

What's changed: Innuos has for 2022 introduced the PULSE series streamers, and has has upgraded the power supply in the Statement, labeling it the Statement NextGen. The PULSE series does away with the CD ripping and storage features of the MK3 series, focusing more on internet streaming. The PULSE series may be hinting at what might be included in a MK4 series streamers (there has been NO announcement), as the upper PULSE models sport some power supply improvements.

The Innuos Sense app has had some major work done to it. The interface has improved, as has the sound. The Sense app is aiming directly at Roon with it's interface. The only thing that I feel is missing is the music discovery engine that makes Roon such a great streaming app. Sonically though, Innuos Sense is better, as it is optimized for Innuos streamers. The Innuos streamers have limited outputs, most rely on USB only (The Pulse and zen mini have built in DACs, Pulse has an optical, coaxial and AES output in addition to USB). They also require a direct ethernet connection.

Sound: I think the Innuos sound is just a little on the warm side of neutral. Vocals are full bodied and warm, with a pleasantly layered and rich midrange, and transparent highs. As you move up the line, you just get more and more resolution. The Statement is a gorgeous sounding piece of kit, for the most discerning audiophile and resolving system. The fairly new company has really impressed me with their sonics as well as their app and hardware quality. Their service is outstanding too should you ever need it.

• Frequency Balance: Slightly warm of neutral. Vocals have pleasant richness and body. The sound possesses a nice, rich density. Definitely not thin, but not what I would consider overly warm. Flow factor is the advantage of Innuos
• Resolution: Very high. 
• Dimensionality: Excellent soundstaging and imaging
• Transient Attack: Just a touch more rounded (with the exception of the Statement). 
• Layering: Also excellent
• Flow Factor: This is the Innuos strength. Naturalness and flow factor as I call it give it a real feeling of being less electronic sounding and more like musical instruments.

Who Innuos might be for: 

The Zen series: can run as a server and a streamer. They offer up to 8TB of music storage, and you can run any Zen series as a Roon server, serve your music from the internally stored files and stream music from Tidal or Qobuz. If you are considering a Zen series server streamer, also consider that their design philosophy is to incorporate processors that consume little power and therefore do not have a lot of processing horsepower. They sound better according to Innuos. You can run Roon's parametric EQ easily, but if you start upsampling all of your streaming files, then add speaker correction on top of that the processor will run out of gas quickly. Keep it simple and you will be fine.

The Innuos PULSE Mini

The PULSE series: is for those looking for an endpoint solution. You are either streaming music from Tidal or Qobuz only, thereby using the Sense app, or you might have a NAS with your server software and music files on it already.

Since most of their streamers only output digital over USB, for the most part, DACs to be mated with an Innuos streamer must have a USB input. Last you will also need a wired ethernet connection.

If your priorities are naturalness, dimensionality and resolution you need to audition Innuos for sure.

Other things to consider are they require a wired ethernet connection, and don't have a front panel display. They do have a web browser based interface for setup and playback. Which makes remote controlling them very versatile.

Lumin

Lumin P1 with Remote

What's Changed: Lumin has introduced the P1, a remarkable streamer/DAC/Preamp that has won many awards and much recognition. All of their streamers now have the lossless LEEDH volume control, which is incorporated in some other VERY high end brands. Lumin added LEEDH processing for free, which is hugely generous. They have also made upgrades to the U1 Mini and T2, calling the upgraded models the U2 Mini and T3. The processors were upgraded, and we think they sound better as well. The App hasn't changed much and it still remains rock solid. It has a slightly steeper learning curve than the Innuos or Auralic App, but by no means is it difficult.

Many of their models incorporate built-in DACs. They are not afterthoughts, but really high quality and value. The new T3 is our favorite streamer DAC with outstanding transparency, dynamics and engagement factor. The P1 replaces three boxes in one's system with no compromise in sound quality. It's quite an achievement. Even their D2 and U2 mini entry level  models look and sound great for the money.

For all Lumin models, you will need a wired ethernet connection. If you plan on serving music from your own music library, you will need a NAS, their L1 storage device, or an external drive. They offer Bluetooth and Airplay capability as well.

The D2, U2 mini and T3 feature switching power supplies of very high quality, and the upper models sport linear power supplies. I know, the reflexive thought is to immediately upgrade to a linear supply, but I recommend you give them a listen before making that decision, you may be pleasantly surprised. Lumin has really made an effort to implement something much better than a wall-wart style supply.

Sound: Lumin streamers are known for a huge soundstage, and a slightly more detailed presentation. I would say slightly on the detailed side of neutral. Vocals might be a touch leaner than on the Innuos for instance, but drive and dynamic punch are excellent.

• Frequency Balance: Neutral to very slightly analytical for the units with built in DACs
• Resolution: Excellent
• Dimensionality: All Lumins produce and excellent soundstage with plenty of width and depth.
• Transient Attack: Lumin's excel at transient speed and being very light on their feet. Bass has sharp and powerful impact.
• Layering: Excellent layering of musical elements that have the same level. Clarity is another hallmark of the Lumin sound.
• Flow Factor: Lumin, while still a natural sound, does not possess the flow factor of the other 3 brands. Why? Mostly because the presentation can be oh so slightly on the analytical side. Providing great detail, but at the expense of a little musicality in my opinion.

Lumin might be for you if: You are looking for a great sounding, solid performing one box solution, have a wired ethernet connection and do not need a large front panel display. Consider the U1 or U2 mini if you need a streamer only, or the D2, T3, X1, or P1 if you want a high quality DAC built in to your streamer.

If your sonic priorities are resolution, dynamics, soundstage, and layering Lumin is worth auditioning.

Lumin is the oldest company to be manufacturing streamers out of all of the companies I carry. Their products are built really well, the software is super stable, and the app is great. 

One last thing: They do offer an optional remote control for $250. I know many listeners like having the ability of using the remote instead of their phone. Especially if you have the music playing loud and the phone rings...

Hifi Rose

Hifi Rose RS520 Streaming Integrated Amp

A newcomer to the world of streaming, HiFi Rose has a similar background to Lumin, but has a different line of products. They feature large touch screens that occupy most of the face of the chassis. They are loaded with outputs and features, and all have built in DACs. Two models have built in amplifiers making them streaming integrated amps. These streamers sound very good and have a very high visual aesthetic.

Hifi Rose streamers can be connected to your network wirelessly and wired. They offer Bluetooth,and airplay capability. Tidal, Qobuz, MQA, and CD playback are available as well as a unique feature called "Rose Tube" which offers up Youtube music and videos for playback. You can play internet radio, and Music via Spotify Connect as well.

The Hifi Rose streamers are without a doubt the most visually oriented and feature packed streamers we offer. 

The app is still a bit of a work in progress. There is a bit of a language barrier, and (as of the time of this writing) a little wonkiness here and there. The good side of this is that the development team is very responsive and continually upgrading their app. If your running the HifiRose with Roon it is a non-issue, as it fully integrates with the third party software.

The RS 150B and RS 520 come with a remote, which some users may find more convenient than using their phone or tablet.

Sound: The sound is slightly on the warm side of neutral, and very engaging. Not quite as resolving as the Innuos Zenith and above, but offering a really great sound and a great set of features for the music lover.

• Frequency Balance: Very similar to Auralic. Not quite neutral, just slightly warm of neutral.
• Resolution: Very good, but lowest out of this exceptional group.
• Dimensionality: Very good
• Transient Attack: A little softer, like the Innuos 
• Layering: Very good
• Flow factor: Also very good and similar to the innuos

You might want to consider the Hifi Rose if: You like a large, well laid out touchsreen panel on the unit itself that can double as a versatile display during music playback. HiFi Rose also has a ton of inputs, including HDMI ARC, that allow for very versatile setups and playback options. The Parametric EQ function is quite handy, as is the ability to attach a CD drive for playback. They can operate either wired or wirelessly too.

The app: At the time of this writing, I don't love the app. It's just not there yet. And with the language barrier (made in South Korea) there are some quirks and useability issues that let you know this is a young app still being developed. On the plus side, they do seem to be working diligently to fix bugs and improve the interface. So this may be a moot point in the future.