TOPIC:

I'm wondering what a network streamer will add to my system that using the SHD and Volumio doesn't. I've been contemplating buying a Wyred 4 Sound modified Sonos Connect and streaming from that to the SHD, and from the SHD to my DAC. Will the streamer enhance the sound over what the SHD can do?

I do have an old Bryston BDP-1, but it has started crashing and the interface is very slow. This is why I started using the SHD and Volumio. I see these for sale on Audiogon and they don't seem to move, so it's probably going to be a relic I can't sell.

I don't have a lot of ripped CDs or music of my own. I typically listen only to Tidal or Pandora from the SHD and SACDs through my Oppo 105D that I send to the SHD using XLR cables. I feel I get the use from Volumio I need, but my question is more around sound quality. Would the Sonos, or any other streamer, enhance the sound going to the SHD over the SHD's capability?

My system:

• Furman Elite 20 power conditioner with all Pangea power cables
• Bryston BDP-1 (going into the closet)
• miniDSP SHD
• Gustard x-20 DAC modified by Ric Shultz
• Oppo 105D modified by Ric Shultz
• Primaluna Dialogue HP Integrated Amp
• Martin Logan Summit X speakers
• Clear Day Double Shotgun speaker cables
• Kimber D60 S/PDIF
• Avanti Audio RCA and XLR Interconnects

Thanks for your advice on this!

Sold my Sonore ultraRendu networkstreamer because the SHD Studio is a great streamer and adding the ultraRendu made no difference.

thought you had an Auralic Aries ?

for me the only major missing feature of the SHD series is certified RoonReady etc

True I had an Aries briefly last year when I heard about it's EQ possibilities. I didn't like it much using my Android phone. Sold it and kept my ultraRendu. Shortly after saw the Hans Beekhuysen SHD review.

I think the only thing an external streamer would add is complexity.

and Roon capability ...

Even after getting the Squeezelite plugin working in Volumio, I went back to using my piCorePlayer + Allo DigiOne transport

I prefer how it sounds...

Thanks, everyone! I discovered Roon! I always knew about it but decided to look into it and see if it would help my system. So happy I did! I now have Roon on my home computer and stream to the BDP-1, then to the SHD, then to my DAC and on to the Primaluna. No more need to wait for the Bryston BDP-1 and it all works seamlessly. I also love the sound, and can now upstream through Roon. The only thing I'm missing is MQA, but I can get that by streaming from my laptop to the SHD using the Tidal app (full MQA unfold).

I've also upgraded my cables to Acoustic Zen Absolute digital RCA, AZ Matrix II RCA interconnects (Primaluna only has RCA), and AZ Hologram II speaker cables. They are on the way now.! I'll let you know how it all sounds after I break them in.

Thanks again!!!