Help with choosing a streamer.

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neac1976

Well-Known Member

Jun 23, 2018

22

2

108

• Apr 3, 2024

• #1

Hi all.
I have just purchased a Lampizator. Baltic DAC, Engine eleven (it is everything that it should be and more) and am looking for a streamer to compliment it.
I have been researching but not limited to;
1. Innuos Statement
2. Antipodes K 50
3. Aurender W 20 SE
4. Lampizator Gulfstream

Whether used or new, the first three pieces are two and three times the price of the Gulfstream. I am aware of the law of diminishing returns in high end audio and wonder what any of your thoughts are regarding the pairing of any of these streamers to my Baltic DAC? Specifically, I am concentrating on The Gulfstream because of the price as I can not afford to purchase a few streamers, try them out and re-sell them. I would like this purchase to be my last streamer, for a great while anyway.

Depending on your thoughts and recommendations regarding these few questions (before I post a wanted add in the classified section) does anyone here have a Gulfstream for sale?

As always, thank you
Mark

 

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GSOphile

Well-Known Member

Sep 3, 2017

576

359

173

• Apr 3, 2024

• #2

Since you mentioned your desired price level, why not the Aurender N20, which some consider the sweet spot in their line?

 

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neac1976

Well-Known Member

Jun 23, 2018

22

2

108

• Apr 3, 2024

• #3

I will take a look, thank you.

 

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orrman

New Member

Sep 27, 2023

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21

3

NJ

• Apr 3, 2024

• #4

I'm all in favor of high end streamers to improve the sound quality of your system, but the budget allocation seems a bit backwards.
What made you go for Baltic over the higher end Lampis?

As happy owner of the K50 I can't recommend it enough, but you can find the S stack for very tempting prices used in the US that would probably be a more reasonable match and use of budget in your system.

 

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neac1976

Well-Known Member

Jun 23, 2018

22

2

108

• Apr 3, 2024

• #5

Orrman,
At the time the Baltic was what I could afford. Since that DAC purchase the monetary situation has improved for me and I have been wondering which of the more expensive streamers to consider. And I wonder how The Gulfstream compares to the more expensive streamers?

Orrman,
There are two K 50 streamers for sale on the various sites (used) and both have the G 4 upgrade and are selling for $14,500.00.
As I read The Antipodes website and other various forum suggestions I see that The K 41 can be upgraded with the addition of the K 21 or The K 22.
Would you explain why this upgrade path is suggested vs. just purchasing a K 50, as I do not understand the reason for the suggested upgrade path.
Thank you,
Mark

 

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orrman

New Member

Sep 27, 2023

9

21

3

NJ

• Apr 3, 2024

• #6

neac1976 said:

Orrman,
At the time the Baltic was what I could afford. Since that DAC purchase the monetary situation has improved for me and I have been wondering which of the more expensive streamers to consider. And I wonder how The Gulfstream compares to the more expensive streamers

Click to expand...

I have not heard the Gulfstream so can't comment about it. I'd still consider upgrading the DAC with the budget if that's an option.

neac1976 said:

There are two K 50 streamers for sale on the various sites (used) and both have the G 4 upgrade and are selling for $14,500.00.
As I read The Antipodes website and other various forum suggestions I see that The K 41 can be upgraded with the addition of the K 21 or The K 22.
Would you explain why this upgrade path is suggested vs. just purchasing a K 50, as I do not understand the reason for the suggested upgrade path

Click to expand...

14.5 for g4 sounds about right but can you still potentially find a better deal in the US with a 7.5K original K50 and the 6K upgrade but you need some luck.
The K41/K22 combo is basically a K50 but in two chassis option. That combination costs the same as K50. It's not suggested over getting a K50 but in case you can afford only one of them and later on buy the other it's the path to get to similar performance.

 

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neac1976

Well-Known Member

Jun 23, 2018

22

2

108

• Apr 3, 2024

• #7

Orrman,
Thank you for all of this information.

 

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keithc

Well-Known Member

Dec 31, 2022

183

351

63

• Apr 6, 2024

• #8

I'd suggest looking at the computer audio forum here (if you haven't already): https://www.whatsbestforum.com/forums/computer-based-music-server-forum.23/

Lots of various streamers and brands discussed. The Baltic is a fine DAC and plenty able to discern the differences of upstream sources!

 

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neac1976

Well-Known Member

Jun 23, 2018

22

2

108

• Apr 6, 2024

• #9

Thank you keithc.

 

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Sablon Audio

Industry Expert, VIP Donor

May 22, 2015

1,619

1,490

553

• Apr 20, 2024

• #10

@neac1976 - I run my Baltic off a Taiko Extreme and it’s a great combination. Feel free to drop me an email and I’ll send you a video recording. With the Olympus xdmi shipping very soon, Emile will be having ex-demo Extremes coming available.

 

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neac1976

Well-Known Member

Jun 23, 2018

22

2

108

• Apr 20, 2024

• #11

Thank you Sablon Audio,
Realistically I don't think that I will ever be able to afford a Taiko product but I will be at The Munich Show and have confirmed that they will be demonstrating there also. I am attending specifically to learn about streamers and I will be sure to stop by his booth.
Mark

 

thedudeabides

Well-Known Member

Jan 16, 2011

2,185

694

1,200

Alto, NM

• Apr 21, 2024

• #12

Please be aware that many folks on this forum can afford "bleeding edge" tech with the requisite cost of entry. Not a critism but an observation. Buy what is affordable, and enjoy the music.

 

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