I am researching adding a Streamer Server for my MSB DAC.
My requirements with a budget up to US$50K:
Serve a bit perfect file to the DAC, playback on the MSB DAC should be the same regardless of how it arrives, right?
USB Output to the MSB DAC, or ProISL if available
Support Qobuz Connect, Tidal
Serve as a Roon End Point - Roon Ready or Roon Cerfied
Provide access to playback of stored PCM and DSD files
An intuitive user friendly GUI that offers many of the features available thru Roon, but available independent of Roon to provide diversity of access to music of one of the services is down or unavailable.
Brands / models on my list include:
Aurender N50
Innuos Statement NG
Innuos Navare
Pink Faun Scion
Pink Faun Ultra 2.16
I have been using the Renderer module with Roon and enjoy it very much. Using the Pro USB / Pro ISL module, I have also experimented with playing Roon, Qobuz direct, owned music files through a Rose streamer and directly from Qobuz Connect which sounds fantastic as well.
I’ve ordered a Pink Faun Ultra 2.16 (single) with the MSB Pro ISL fiber interface. It hasn’t arrived yet, but should be here any day now.
Every thing I’ve been able to find out about it is very positive. I haven’t heard it myself but I know a number of people who have, and they rate it highly.
Besides the sound quality, I like the fact that it is a Roon server. I happen to like Roon, and for Classical music cataloging it is the least worst music server out there.
To me noise of any kind at any level will affect a high definition HiFi system, and (again just my opinion) the first thing that noise will negatively affect is image. I think, again just my opinion, that Pink Faun pushes the boundaries of quiet electronics (much like MSB does) more than the other brands you have listed. The current owners background is in developing low noise electronics.
Once I get some listening time on it I will get back.
Dan, that’s exciting. I am looking forward to reading your perspective once it arrives. The collaboration with MSB on the ProISL interface is very compelling. I plan to visit a dealer and play with the PF operating system to see if I like it.
An intuitive GUI, a unit that effectively manages EMI/RF generation and containment, along with a compatible system interface such as the ProISL will weigh heavy on my final decision.
Great topic and timely I am in a similar situation but unless I am missing something some on your list dont’s support Tidal or Qobuz Connet nativlely but require you to use Roon to access the music streaming service, the one addition to your list that is on mine is native support for Spotify Connect and I am less concerned about Roon support
I heartily recommend the PinkFaun Ultra 2.16 with ProISL interface linking it to the MSB Cascade. Prior to the ProISL card being released by the collaboration of both PinkFaun and MSB I was using the MSB renderer. The fiber connection offers a higher level of clarity, instrument definition and musicality. Highly recommended!
Please be careful not to mix up Roon server and Roon end point.
I had Aurender but then changed to an Innuos. Antipodes was also on the shortlist but as they do not have a distributor in my country, well I went with the Innuos.
That is my server and the renderer module in my MSB DAC is the end point.
The Ethernet connection is more preferable than USB.
This is possibly going to be an unpopular opinion/question:
Since MSB has developed the ProUSB solution specifically to eliminate networking noise from entering the DAC, and tells you this is the case (MSB on ProUSB: “100% electrical isolation”). How could any music server possibly impact sound quality?
If someone is able to provide a credible technical answer how that could be, I would be very interested in reading it.
Since, over the last 5 years I have never found/read one, I use the $2,000 Roon Nucleus, and direct any funds that could be spent on a “high end” server/streamer into other parts of the audio chain.
With MSB’s efforts to mitigate RF/EMI—such as implementing the Digital Director to separate and galvanically isolate from the D/A converter, along with additional noise reduction on the ProUSB/ProISL path—the primary variable that could still influence sound quality is whether the streamer or server performs any resampling or modification of the original music file before it reaches the D/A converter. But if the Streamer Server presents a bit perfect file to the MSB DAC, the only thing that theoretically should impact sound quality would be whether the Streamer Server is adding noise to the system environment despite isolation efforts from MSB through the implementation of the digital director or Pro ISL technology.
Ultimately, the music should sound the same coming out of the Cascade, regardless of which brand or model transmits the file—assuming the file is unchanged and MSB’s noise mitigation efforts were effective. And let’s not forget the most unpredictable variable of all: psychoacoustic factors—and possibly, the influence of how much alcohol the listener has consumed before the test.
I have given serious consideration to the Roon products. But given how susceptible sound quality is to Roon software changes and how buggy the app can be, I like having alternative playback options such as Qobuz Connect or thru the streamer server OS. Btw, I’m a lifetime subscriber to Roon and generally admire the application. But the latest iOS update is causing Roon app to crash every time I try to navigate thru the app (I know, not necessarily a Roon issue).
Ethernet is, obviously, bit perfect (otherwise the world would collapse) and so you are left with the electrical noise argument.
On ProUSB, MSB writes:
Fully synchronous to the DAC
Offers 100% electrical isolation between source and DAC
Works with most music server and computer systems that support USB audio
Uses the ProISL interface with error correction and detection
Virtually limitless in cable lengths (up to 1km) between the USB module and the DAC
Works at rates up to 24/768kHz and 8xDSD (with a PC)
In summary, to take this position, you need to argue that noise can not only enter the digital director, but also stay with the music file during DSP in the director, across the cable to the DAC module, through DAC processing, and then through the analog output stage of the DAC.
I’ve never found one credible argument that this can happen, and it is both MSB and dCS’s goal in making their products to make sure this cannot happen.
But does Pink Faun support Tidal, Qobuz natively or only via Roon, sadly they dont list Qobuz Connect or Tidal Connect which in my case makes them less convenient.
At one time in the past Pink Faun embedded both Roon and Euphony, which supports Qobuz and Tidal Connect, but I don’t think current models support Euphony.
Also consider Antipodes oladra. Either with USB or i2s hdmi connection.
I used the aurender n30sa and prefer the oladra once i heard it at a demo showroom. Additional benefit is the user removable 3 x SSD 2.5 giving up to 24 TB.
I haent heard the pink faun 2.16 or the taiko so cant verify with those comparisons.
Congrats. Definitely look into the Pink Faun Ultra with the new MSB Pink Faun ProISL card. It’s a game changer. The fiber link and that server are world class, especially with MSB.
To answer your other question, QoBuz connect is coming for Pink Faun by the end of the year. Tidal connect will not be far behind. The technology is already built into the server.
When you dig into the weeds, you understand the technical and sonic limitations of these “connect” apps. Some manufacturers won’t jeopardize ultimate sound on their statement servers. I’ve heard this from several of them now. I’m assuming this could be the reason.
For me, the PF Ultra with MSB PF fiber is a sonic game changer.
I have dreams about the Sentinel and PF Dual Ultra with Fiber combo.
