External streamer or direct?

[mdconnelly]

While yet one more expense, I highly recommend Roon + Qobuz. Works perfectly with my 440 Pro. Roon Ready makes it all work extremely well... at least when ethernet hardwired.

[hardcore]

Hi
I have problems with streaming Hi Res tracks from Qobuz directly to my Expert 250 Pro with the UPnP protocol and with the MConnect application from my IPad :  many cuts from 2 to 5 seconds or even switch to the next track. 
I saw that many members encounter the same problem without a clear solution. I don’t want to use Devialet Air because the Wi Fi connection degrades the quality of the flow.
I was wondering to use an external streamer (a SOtM SMS 200 Ultra Neo) plugged to the USB input.
Is that a good idea ?
Thanks for your answers

A good external streamer like the Holo Red plugged into the AES port can improve the sound quality of the whole system. It works similar to having an external clock.

[Gerronwithit]

Have had the WiiM Ultra for several weeks now and it is astoundingly good. It will handle all music streaming services such as Tidal, Qobuz, and Amazon. For about £400 it is a bargain.

[audio_engr]

After years of streaming using Ethernet into my 440-Pro, I've just moved to using Wattson Audio Emerson Digital streamer with AES into the 440-Pro. Its a Huge improvement especially if the Emerson streamer is used with an LPSU like Farad Super 3. It's impossible for me to go back to streaming directly using ethernet.

[WillyWortel]

After years of streaming using Ethernet into my 440-Pro, I've just moved to using Wattson Audio Emerson Digital streamer with AES into the 440-Pro. Its a Huge improvement especially if the Emerson streamer is used with an LPSU like Farad Super 3. It's impossible for me to go back to streaming directly using ethernet.

Have you compared other streamers before buying the Wattson? I'm often considering also buying a streamer as I could read some forum members prefer them above the direct connection. I only use vinyl (SL1200GR2 and Nagaoka MP500) as a source with the Devialet as I can't enjoy the digital streaming at all. The vinyl setup plays really good!! I've tried also HQplayer with my Mac Mini (USB connection and DSD64) but it still doesn't sound right for me, there's definitely more punch but overall a bit lifeless i guess.

[audio_engr]

After years of streaming using Ethernet into my 440-Pro, I've just moved to using Wattson Audio Emerson Digital streamer with AES into the 440-Pro. Its a Huge improvement especially if the Emerson streamer is used with an LPSU like Farad Super 3. It's impossible for me to go back to streaming directly using ethernet.

Have you compared other streamers before buying the Wattson? I'm often considering also buying a streamer as I could read some forum members prefer them above the direct connection. I only use vinyl (SL1200GR2 and Nagaoka MP500) as a source with the Devialet as I can't enjoy the digital streaming at all. The vinyl setup plays really good!! I've tried also HQplayer with my Mac Mini (USB connection and DSD64) but it still doesn't sound right for me, there's definitely more punch but overall a bit lifeless i guess.

I've been Direct streaming using Roon Nucleus+ as my server and etherRegen as my switch (both powered using separate units of Ferrum Hypsos PSU). Earlier - I was streaming into my 440-Pro as PCM (Roon upsampling to 24/192) but the last 2 yrs or so, I moved to Roon doing DSD64 (DOP) that I much preferred. IMHO, DSD did phasing superior as well as better tone. 

However, I always knew that the best sounding input of the Devialet is the AES. When I considered trying external streamers, i.e. last 5-6 months ago, I tried several streamers; Lumin, iFi, Chord, Holo Audio, Gold Note & Primare. And then the Wattson Emerson. I loved Wattson's simplicity & execution, and (for my classical music genre), it provided me the finesse that I was looking for using the AES. Note that the major contribution to my execution are the 
(i) Farad Super 3 LPSU  ... and 
(ii) Audioquest WEL Signature AES cable from Wattson to Dev

I'm still working on this setup and although it only does PCM (not DSD), it doesn't bother me much b'coz its doing vast of the parameters very well as I desired. Its analog sounding and these guys at Wattson work for CH Precision for their digital gear. What more can I ask for at Wattson's price !!

[markush]

There are several good streamers out there. And if someone can test the new Farad Suoer6 you will be blown away how much of a difference there is to the Super3 (with all upgrades).
What I definitely would recommend is a Network Acoustics ENO2 filter in any Ethernet setup. This is such an upgrade like going for an external streamer.

[ray1234]

If you don't mind even more components, I use a DDC to convert the USB signal from streamer into AES, and then AES feed into Devialet. Meanwhile, the DDC can also connect to external 10Mhz clock. The 10Mhz clock somehow can go into the signal via the DDC and then AES into Devialet. Also, if you are playing with streaming, your network needs to be treated. I have a network switch which also uses the same 10Mhz clock to clock the network. Once everything is in sync with the clock, the sound is phenomenal.

[arcam]

Have had the WiiM Ultra for several weeks now and it is astoundingly good. It will handle all music streaming services such as Tidal, Qobuz, and Amazon. For about £400 it is a bargain.

Similar thinking here. I went for the WiiM Pro which is half the price of the Ultra since I don’t use the WiiM’s DAC but that of the Devialet. Connection via Optical/Toslink.

The reason for purchasing the WiiM Pro was to switch to Qobuz Connect which Devialet was never going to implement and to have a reliable connection over Wi-Fi. I purchased the day after Qobuz Connect was announced and now my whole family is happily streaming to the Expert from any of their own devices which they could never do reliably in the past. Either Roon Server or Audirvāna Studio was not launched or the Expert no longer started streaming and had to be rebooted. 

Now it’s all a thing of the past and is just how it should have been from the start and I’ve ditched my Audirvāna and Roon subscriptions, which allowed me to save quite a bit of money.

[fraha]

I already owned the Prime Core Audio and the Ideon Reclocker before I bought the 220 Pro, so streaming direct wasn't really an issue for me.
Maybe I'll try it one day just on a whim.