Dreaming of Streaming: Is £2,000 and Above the Golden Number in the World of Streamers?

Matt at our Cardiff store takes a closer look at the world of streaming, focusing on the £2,000 and above price bracket—often considered the higher echelon of streaming. For those eyeing a significant upgrade to the source end of their Hi-Fi systems, Matt has chosen three standout streamers that shine in this category. Let’s join him on this month’s journey to see what he’s discovered.

Where Streaming Fits Into My System

Over the past three years, my Hi-Fi system has evolved dramatically, as many of you may have noticed in my blogs. I’ve made various upgrades and additions, covering both vinyl and CD playback. Yet, one key source remains conspicuously absent: streaming.

So why haven’t I added a streamer to my setup? After all, for many, streaming is the cornerstone of a modern Hi-Fi system. As we often say, the source comes first—it’s the voice of the system, setting the tone for everything downstream.

Streaming offers unparalleled access to music, far removed from the days of flipping through records at my local shop, Spillers in Cardiff, debating whether an album was a one-track wonder or a masterpiece. Today, with platforms like Qobuz, discovering new music is effortless, and that’s a compelling reason to embrace streaming.

Auralic Vega S1 Streaming DAC

Why Focus on the £2,000 Bracket?

As we know, the quality of the source should match the rest of your Hi-Fi system. The £2,000 bracket marks the point where streamers begin to deliver exceptional build quality and components, including DACs and power supplies. Many models also allow for upgrades with external power supplies, much like turntables or CD players.

The Contenders

To explore this world, I’ve chosen three streamers that sit confidently in this range:

• Cyrus Stream XR

• Auralic Vega S1 Streaming DAC

• Naim ND5 XS 2

Cyrus Stream XR

cyrus stream xr

With my system already built around the latest Cyrus Classic range, the Stream XR is a natural choice for synergy. Featuring Cyrus’s second-generation QXR DAC, based on the ESS9038Q2M chipset, it offers stunning performance. Its internal power supply is another standout, delivering clean, stable power for uncompromised sound quality. The BluOS interface, developed in partnership with Bluesound, is intuitive and seamless to use.

AURALiC Vega S1

auralic s1 streamer

Next is the AURALiC Vega S1 Streaming DAC. AURALiC has long intrigued me, and the Vega S1 more than lives up to its reputation. Introduced with the Tesla G3 streaming platform, it delivers exceptional processing power and flexibility. The Lightning DS app is highly user-friendly, and the build quality is outstanding. The Vega S1 also features three DAC filters, allowing you to fine-tune the sound to your preference. It’s a dream for those who love to tweak and experiment.

Naim ND5 XS 2

Naim is a name that requires no introduction, with years of experience in streaming technology. The ND5 XS 2 features a Burr-Brown DAC, offering a rich, detailed sound. Its proprietary streaming app is both reliable and intuitive, making it a joy to use. The ND5 XS 2 brings warmth and detail, making it a classic choice for discerning listeners.

The Listening Test

Now, the real fun begins! To put these streamers to the test, I used a range of music across genres:

• Rush: Counterparts (1993) – Leave That Thing Alone

• John Mayer: Continuum (2006) – Belief

• Rory Gallagher: Top Priority (1979) – Bad Penny

• Red Dragon Cartel: Patina (2008) – Chasing Ghosts

• Big Wreck: Pages (2023) – In Fair Light

• Soundgarden: King Animal (2012) – Taree

Cyrus Stream XR

The Stream XR’s synergy with my Cyrus Classic amplifier was immediately evident. Its QXR DAC revealed intricate details, like the texture in Rory Gallagher’s guitar tone and the gravel in his voice. The BluOS interface made browsing Qobuz effortless.

Auralic Vega S1

The Vega S1’s sound was expansive, revealing layers in Big Wreck’s In Fair Light that I hadn’t noticed before. The DAC filters added flexibility, letting me tailor the sound to suit the track.

Naim ND5 XS 2

The ND5 XS 2 delivered a spacious soundstage and a beautifully warm tone. Tracks like Taree by Soundgarden highlighted its ability to balance detail with musicality, showcasing both the power and nuance of the recording.

The Verdict

All three streamers are excellent, capable of decoding HD formats up to 32-bit and offering fantastic connectivity. However, the Cyrus and Auralic models allow for external power supply upgrades, which elevate their performance but push them beyond the £2,000 budget.

In Conclusion

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer in Hi-Fi. Each of these streamers delivers exceptional performance, and the best choice depends on your system and preferences. Why not visit your local Audio T store and have a listen for yourself?

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog.

Matt - Audio T Cardiff

If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other Hi-Fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to Contact Us.

If you’ve enjoyed this, why not go ahead and read some more of our other blogs, and be sure to follow us on our social media channels below…

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Naim can be found at the following Audio T stores

• BRIGHTON

• BRISTOL

• CARDIFF

• CHELTENHAM

• MANCHESTER

• PORTSMOUTH

• READING

• SOUTHAMPTON

• SWANSEA

• SWINDON

AURALiC can be found at the following Audio T stores

• SOUTHAMPTON

Cyrus can be found at the following Audio T stores

• CARDIFF

• MANCHESTER

• SOUTHAMPTON

• SWINDON

• ONLINE STORE

• BRIGHTON

• PORTSMOUTH

• CHELTENHAM

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*All prices, credit terms and interest rates quoted are correct at the time of going to press but may be subject to change. E&OE

Does Qobuz + Chord Electronics' Hugo = Audio Nirvana?

This is in essence a two-part review.

1. The new Chord Electronics Hugo portable DAC/Headphone amplifier (£1400)

2. Qobuz music streaming service.

Qobuz is a fairly new to the UK music streaming service from France offering uncompressed CD quality and also up to 24/192 for £19.99 pm (they also offer 320kbps for £9.99 but that’s the same as Spotify so I’ve not included it)

The burning questions are:

How good is the Qobuz service? and is it better than the competition and worth the premium asked?

Can it really replace the need for physical media and downloads? Can the inclusion of the Hugo really offer a true high-end music & HiFi experience?

So I took the Hugo home for an extended listen in a known system/room and put up to some extremely strong competition, ie my regular Rega Reference set-up in the form of the Isis CD player (£6175) into the Osiris amplifier (£6175), both known for their incredible resolution and musicality.

I used the  Qobuz app via an iPhone 4S and an Arcam drDock (£199) linked via a Chord company Prodac digital interconnect (£85). All hooked up to the amp with Chord Company Sarum Tuned Aray interconnects. Isis via balanced and Hugo by RCA. A tough test if ever there was one!

 

After switching the Hugo to line level and making small adjustments to the output level to equal that of the Isis, I listened to a variety of music including LA Woman by the Doors to Amorica by The Black Crowes.

From the off, it was quite clear there was very little between them both in terms of sonics and timing, so much so that at times I had forgotten which I was listening too! I wasn’t expecting that, especially from a stream via my iPhone. As the phone is outputting SPDIF the same results should be gained from most other devises with a digital output I assume.

Of course the Rega Isis had the distinct advantage of the balanced output so I then compared the Hugo with the Rega both this time using RCAs.

This time the Hugo won hands down and as this is more relevant a comparison for most end users, all the more revelatory.

So to answer the above questions:

Qobuz really does offer CD and better quality. One no longer has to be penalised qualitatively for wishing to stream their music rather than play CDs or their rips.

Value? Well at £19.99 per month you have unlimited access to 18 million songs all in 16/44.1 over 12,000 albums of which are in 24/96-192. Including offline ie downloaded to the devise itself.

Can it match a true high-end set-up?

You bet! But you’ll need a DAC as extraordinary as the Hugo to achieve it. This diminutive box packs a massive punch regardless and has to considered a bargain, oh and it’s a top-notch portable headphone amplifier and by dint of battery power so totally portable.

Can this set-up really replace the need for physical media or downloads?  Absolutely, yes.

However, if like me, you has hundreds or even thousands of CDs then you might question the value of a £20 per month premium, unless of course you or your partner would like to be clear of piles of discs. If however, your music collection is still rather modest but quality aspirations are high, then Qobuz + Hugo is a great combination for sure.

 

AUDIO-T EXCLUSIVE:

 

For the month of June 2014, Qobuz, the world’s first true CD quality streaming service, in conjunction with Audio-T, is offering a free, no obligation 2 week trial (no credit card details required unlike their regular trial) Just pop in for the unique access code.

Qobuz is compatible with PC, Mac, iOS, Android, Kindle, and Windows and fully integrated with Sonos, Bluesound, Popcorn Hour, XBMC and Sueezebox and new partner to come later this year.

Simon