Top 7 Network Audio Streamers for Audiophiles

Network streamers or streaming players emerged as a class of digital equipment not long ago. In very expensive systems, it's now common to separate the management of the digital music stream from its transmission with digital-to-analog conversion. In cheaper segments, it was not long ago considered normal to tolerate audio transmission via USB from a computer to a DAC. Of course, such a "contaminated" stream cannot provide ideal sound characteristics. Therefore, in almost all price categories of digital equipment, streamers now reign supreme - integrated devices that combine digital stream transport and operation with external devices (UPnP servers on a local network or flash drives) with signal clocking and digital-to-analog conversion.

Why need a separate streamer when there are integrated streaming amplifiers? Here we enter the segment of higher-quality component systems that allow flexible upgrades and significantly improve sound by isolating separate power circuits and shielding the digital portion.

1. WiiM Ultra - $399

The WiiM Ultra is a streamer model that offers 2K audio quality for a fifth of the price. The flagship WiiM Ultra boasts a solid sound quality: an ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M DAC (32-bit/384 kHz), a built-in TI TPA6120A2 headphone amplifier, Wi-Fi 6E with dual antennas and Bluetooth 5.3, and a beautiful aluminum case with a 3.5-inch color display. The performance characteristics are excellent: SNR over 120 dB, THD+N less than 0.00018%. Furthermore, the sound can be customized by switching between seven digital filter types (Apodizing Linear Phase, Brickwall, Corrected Minimum Phase Fast Roll-off, Linear/Minimum Phase Fast/Slow Roll-off) and a ten-band equalizer. The only streaming options missing are AirPlay support. Spotify, Tidal, Google Chromecast, and Roon Ready are all available. The WiiM Ultra sounds neutral and accurate, displaying a high level of detail.

2. Cambridge Audio MXN10 - $499

Another affordable streamer that clearly surpasses its category in terms of playback quality – it's honest and open, very dynamic, and spiced with a rich timbre. The ESS Sabre ES9033Q DAC (32-bit, up to 768 kHz) and the proprietary StreamMagic Gen 4 streaming platform work wonders – there's Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi, UPnP/DLNA, AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal (with MQA), Deezer, Qobuz, Internet Radio, and Roon Ready certification.

3. Cambridge Audio CXN100 SE - $1,199

The top-of-the-line Cambridge Audio CXN100 SE streamer is based on the top-of-the-line ESS Sabre ES9028Q2M DAC (32-bit/768 kHz). The chip's built-in time-domain filter eliminates the need for additional analog filtering. A shorter signal path and advanced conversion, along with a significantly more robust power supply, create a highly transparent and elegant soundstage, with genuine polish and emotion. Streaming capabilities are provided by the same StreamMagic Gen 4 processor, which includes Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi, UPnP/DLNA, AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal, Deezer, Qobuz, Internet Radio, and Roon Ready certification.

4. Eversolo DMP-A6 Master Edition Gen 2 – $1,199

The Eversolo DMP-A6 Master Edition Gen 2 is the second generation of the renowned streamer, and it's even better. The three-dimensional, exceptionally rich in detail and texture sound is captivating – thanks to a dual femtosecond clock, OPA1612 I/V op amp, super-quiet linear power supply (the previous model used a switching power supply), and a pair of ES9038Q2M chips. The 6-inch display now boasts Retina resolution; overall, it has everything you could dream of in this price range.

5. Bluesound Node Icon – $1,199

Bluesound Node Icon – a streamer acclaimed by critics and audiophiles alike, a very serious model that elevates the company to the elite echelon of the market. A pair of flagship ESS Sabre ES9039Q2M chips, a full dual-mono configuration with XLR outputs, MQA Labs QRONO d2a technology, and, of course, the reference BluOS streaming platform with support for over twenty streaming services (Tidal, Qobuz, Apple Music via AirPlay, Amazon Music HD, Deezer, Spotify Connect, Spotify Lossless, Internet Radio), Roon Ready, AirPlay 2, and up to 64 multi-room zones. Other Bluesound or NAD BluOS-enabled components are simply wow. The sound is full-bodied, with beautifully articulated bass and body.

6. HiFi Rose RS151 - $5,695

The HiFi Rose RS151 network streamer features numerous improvements over the previous RS150 model. The new Sabre ES9039PRO DAC chip from ESS Technology delivers even higher-quality digital-to-analog conversion, minimizing digital distortion. Furthermore, the new product utilizes fourth-generation Hyperstream technology and an improved ROSE DPC Femto clock generator (one of the most complex modules the company has ever produced) for maximum synchronization accuracy and minimal jitter. The HiFi Rose RS151 is equipped with a new eight-core processor, which delivers four times the computing power and eight times the graphics performance of its predecessor. Another key feature of the HiFi Rose RS151 is the complete physical separation of the digital and analog signal paths. The impressive touchscreen, which fills the entire front panel of the new product, now features an even higher resolution, and its diagonal has increased to 15.4 inches. The Rose RS151 HiFi network streamer runs on the customized ROSE operating system based on Android 12. The analog stage of the Rose RS151 HiFi network streamer includes a Rose Noise Reduction Analog (NRA) filter, which minimizes interference and ensures a flat frequency response. An improved power supply design improves stability and suppresses unwanted noise. The streamer sounds simply beautiful – holographic, with a true black background during pauses and a truly brilliant sound.

7. Naim NDX 2 - $7,799

The proven Naim NDX 2 streamer uses Burr-Brown PCM1792A digital-to-analog converter chips and achieves an outstanding signal-to-noise ratio of 129 dB. Naim does not use standard chip filters, opting for its own IIR filtering. Similarly, the current-to-voltage converter uses a discrete, proprietary design. The system is controlled by a 40-bit SHARC DSP and upsamples all signals up to 705.6 kHz / 768 kHz. The network platform is also proprietary, with an LVDS card operating at low voltage (1.2 V instead of the standard 3.3 V) and using differential data transmission. This engineering effort has paid off – the sound is characterized by a reference-quality rhythm and a delightful low-frequency attack.

What to choose?

Balance is key. There's no point in spending money on a streamer if your system has significant amplification or acoustic issues. Ideally, your budget for a streamer should be approximately 5-10 times less than the total cost of your system. For example, the WiiM Ultra is a good partner for a system costing $2,000-$4,000. The Bluesound Node Icon is suitable for a system costing $5,000-$15,000. The Naim NDX 2 HiFi Rose RS151 makes sense for systems costing $30,000 and up.

All streamers in this selection have built-in DACs. However, if you already have a separate, higher-end DAC (Chord Hugo TT 2, Holo May, etc.), you can use the streamer as a pure digital output transport, significantly improving the sound.

Balanced XLR outputs. These are important if you have a balanced system or plan to upgrade to one.

A Quick Guide to Buying

Budget up to $500: Cambridge Audio MXN10

Hi-Fi system, budget $1,500: Eversolo DMP-A6 Master Edition Gen 2

Looking for high-end - HiFi Rose RS151