I've got the base model (SE single ended) .. unit kicks butt. Easily bested the Holo 2 KTE and Yggy when I had all 3 in my listening room for a couple months.
If you've got the cash - absolutely worth it. There's so many neat features to tune the sound with the filters, it's so flexible.
On the hunt for an end game i2s streamer/renderer now. The Wavedream NET is the obvious choice but I'd like to stay south of 5k if I can. Also just looking for Roon endpoint functionality, I don't need a CD ripper etc.
Also need an end game i2s cable .. RAL in the lead right now. Also enjoyed the Tubulus Argentus. Two very different cables however.
Hi Alex,
I just replied to you over Audiophile style but copying the reply here in case someone else had the same question and are only here on head fi, they would benefit too.
Glad you are enjoying the dac, its absolutely phenomenal. I have only heard the signature but I'm sure yours is very close.
For an i2s server, I have just heard the NET. However, the discovery I made after experimenting other outputs of the NET (usb and coax), also other servers within my friend's group, such as aurender n10 (my previous server), auralic g1, DCS network bridge, and a custom built server:
1)the NET literally walked all over those. Its better by a good margin on all aspects.
2)the NET strength is not the I2s. Its the NET itself! I2s is a slightly better, but i would recommend this server with any dac even if it doesn't have an i2s input. Any output on the NET would do, for real. honestly speaking, right now i feel its a better value than the dac. That's how awesome it is.
From chatting with Nucu, the wavelight server is very close to NET performance minus the CD memory player section. I would have bought a wavelight, but i just couldn't wait till its available. I have no CDs at all. Btw, both are both Roon core + end point in one device. Which is even better.
You wavedream dac will surprise you, how much better it would sound when coupled with NET or wavelight server (any dac in fact would). My suggestion, look no further, i firmly believe in this price segment, the rockna servers are superior and will crush anything. I'm surprised they don't have more recognition for the servers, but mostly the dacs.
For I2s cable, I'm an audioquest fan. They have a pure solid silver HDMI, called diamond. Its also available in 60 cm length. The shorter the better I believe with i2s. I'm quite happy with it, sound is perfectly balanced. I got 1m length, but 60cm also would work and will save you some $$.
topping all that off, just started powering my ubiquity edgerouter and etherregen with a paul hynes sr5 dual rail instead of ifi dc bricks. All i can say it was worth the 4 months wait! I can't really believe the sound that I'm getting right now, I doubt I'm touching my digital end for a very very long time. I might try at some point to source an amp which is matching my cube speakers even more (the tube LM845 amp i have right now is great, but it has some small amount of negative feedback which is not ideal). The cube speakers are quite sensitive to the specifications of amplification, and if curiosity gets me again, that's the only thing i might tinker with. Besides that, consider me retired ))
