Streamer Recommendations

[knobgobbler]

I don't think that's a good fit, but it depends on how you want to use the Luxsin.

With "only as a streamer" you mean you want to use the Mini as a transport only (music source only) and utilize the DAC of Luxsin, right?
If so, I don't think this is possible with the Mini. Since the Mini has no USB, I2S etc. outputs you would need to connect the Mini to the Luxsin via the RCA output connections and then the DAC of the Mini is used.

If this is fine for you you can set the output of the Mini to "fixed" this means the Mini is set to maximum volume output and you would control the volume only on the Luxsin. To me this seems to be kind of a waste of the Luxsin to utilize only the AMP section of the device and nothing else, but that's just my opinion. You could just get a dedicated headphone amp instead of the Luxsin.

If you want to fully utilize the Luxsin go for a simple streamer as suggested by the other replies.

 

[cans or bust]

That's sound advice; thank you.

 

[Machine 13]

With "only as a streamer" you mean you want to use the Mini as a transport only (music source only) and utilize the DAC of Luxsin, right?
If so, I don't think this is possible with the Mini. Since the Mini has no USB, I2S etc. outputs you would need to connect the Mini to the Luxsin via the RCA output connections and then the DAC of the Mini is used.

Actually the Wiim Mini does have SPDIF optical out to feed digital to an external DAC (but that's its only digital out AFAIK). If you're looking for the most cost-effective way to provide a digital "transport" to add streaming capability to something like the X9, that's the way to go. If you don't mind spending more money you can definitely get a nicer streamer. But the Wiim Mini will check the boxes you require so long as your DAC accepts optical SPDIF in (and the X9 does).

Update:

My brother owns the Matrix Mini-i Pro 3. He has moved on from this piece of gear. He is going to gift it my way.

If I were to purchase the Luxsin X9, this is a DAC/AMP combo, how would I connect the two units to use the Mini only as a streamer?

I'm not familiar with that streamer, but based on a quick web search it does not appear to me that it has a pass-through digital output that would bypass its internal DAC (which is what you are asking for, if you want the X9 to do the digital to analog conversion). It looks like it may only output the analog signal (which is the output of the Mini's internal DAC) via XLR and RCA.

By all appearances the Mini is a pretty high-quality device, but I think the only way to use it with the X9 would be to connect the RCA outs on the Mini to the RCA analog inputs on the X9. This would use the X9 as an amp (or preamp), but would bypass the X9's DAC. I'm not seeing another way to connect these two devices. If you're really committed to using the DAC in the X9, you'll have to have a streamer with a digital output, not just analog, then connect the digital output of the streamer to the digital input of the X9. The Mini is really a streamer/DAC/HP amp all-in-one itself, and using it for only a streamer is kind of outside the scope it was designed for.

As I mentioned above, if you're really committed to just getting a simple streamer to add streaming capability to the X9, there is no more cost-effective way than the Wiim Mini connected to the X9 through optical SPDIF. There are more *stylish* ways - and there's certainly nothing wrong with that - but just be mindful that you're not paying a lot more for functions you don't need or care about. That said, buy what makes you happy.

 

[cans or bust]

Actually the Wiim Mini does have SPDIF optical out to feed digital to an external DAC (but that's its only digital out AFAIK). If you're looking for the most cost-effective way to provide a digital "transport" to add streaming capability to something like the X9, that's the way to go. If you don't mind spending more money you can definitely get a nicer streamer. But the Wiim Mini will check the boxes you require so long as your DAC accepts optical SPDIF in (and the X9 does).






I'm not familiar with that streamer, but based on a quick web search it does not appear to me that it has a pass-through digital output that would bypass its internal DAC (which is what you are asking for, if you want the X9 to do the digital to analog conversion). It looks like it may only output the analog signal (which is the output of the Mini's internal DAC) via XLR and RCA.



By all appearances the Mini is a pretty high-quality device, but I think the only way to use it with the X9 would be to connect the RCA outs on the Mini to the RCA analog inputs on the X9. This would use the X9 as an amp (or preamp), but would bypass the X9's DAC. I'm not seeing another way to connect these two devices. If you're really committed to using the DAC in the X9, you'll have to have a streamer with a digital output, not just analog, then connect the digital output of the streamer to the digital input of the X9. The Mini is really a streamer/DAC/HP amp all-in-one itself, and using it for only a streamer is kind of outside the scope it was designed for.

As I mentioned above, if you're really committed to just getting a simple streamer to add streaming capability to the X9, there is no more cost-effective way than the Wiim Mini connected to the X9 through optical SPDIF. There are more *stylish* ways - and there's certainly nothing wrong with that - but just be mindful that you're not paying a lot more for functions you don't need or care about. That said, buy what makes you happy.

Excellent and thoughtful advice; thanks a million!

 

[bagwell359]

Another strong vote for the MXN10

https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/cambridge-audio-mxn10

https://www.stereophile.com/content/cambridge-audio-mxn10-streamer150da-processor



I have nothing good to say about the 'zen' - a perennial beta product (constant updates, bugs, etc.), I've had the MXN10 for well over a year, and its never so much as burped - either hooked up or wi-fi.

If you want to get a turn key product this is it. If you want to get into a DIY Linux kit, you could do better - but my tweaker days are behind me, but some folks swear by them.

The Cambridge Audio MXN10 has received positive reviews, with Stereophile recognizing it as a "Joint Digital Source Component of the Year Finalist" for 2024. It is praised for its high-performance and affordability

 

[Deleeh]

Personally, I find pure streamers without a Dac better than streamers with an integrated Dac.
Also to avoid double dacing, mainly because it would theoretically be possible to connect the
Mini 3 to the Luxin via coax or optically.
The Luxin also has the special feature of being connected via Rca audio input.
What does RCA out from the Mini 3 to RCA in from the Luxin mean?
In terms of sound, streamers without a Dac work better for me if the following is taken into account.
Firstly, the streamer dedicates the signal to itself, which is then passed on.
The second most important thing is that it is permanently connected to the network.
Roon is very unproblematic in this way.
The streamer is set up as a core where the main task takes over, and the Dac is connected to the PC where Roon is also installed as a remote app.
And then you can use it however you want.
If the Roon app is installed on the tablet or smartphone, you can go one step further and operate it with these devices.
It is important that Roon is connected to the network as a core and set up with the streamer.
Unfortunately, a Tidal or Qubozz account is required for Roon.
There are other tricks how you can use Roon on Linux basis and a part of it is free.
An old PC can still work as a streamer or as Roon core due to these minimal requirements.

Since you keep the Pc quasi separated from the Dac as a direct source, only other things are important, that the cabling is a shielded Lan cable or go directly via Wlan to the main Pc.
Here only data packets are sent to the Pc that remain predominantly jitter-free and such things.
A small Barbone Pc or these Nuc's with the dedicated Roon Linux based installed on it work just as well.
And makes a streamer roughly superfluous.
All Raspberry Pi based streamers work similarly.
The hardware there is sufficient to get small programmes to run, you just need programmes like Roppie to support a few more streaming providers.
Instead of Tidal and Qubozz, Apple Music, Amazon, Dezeer ect are also added.
The Pc variant usually doesn't cost much, if you have a discarded Pc you have to deal with it a bit and it takes time.
I can also answer why, if you want a halfway decent streamer you have to dig a little deeper into your pocket.
Let's say from 1000$ plus, without Dac there it's much more about the technical hardware.
Anything below that is at a level that is more than acceptable for streaming and doesn't get any better sound wise.
Even dedicated Raspberry Pi have reached their limit where it doesn't get any better.