Congratulations ,thank you! I'VE seen a lot of your videos, and all are very good...carefully prepared, clear narrated, useful and nice commented. You're doing an excellent work 👏
Hi Hans, Based on your review I have purchased the Project streamer (albeit with a 30 day return option) and I'm current enjoying it. My previous transport was the Usbridge which I'm in the process of comparing it to. I was using the Usbridge with dual power supplies -battery to the bridge & Ifi to the Sparky. I also have the Brooklyn but maybe not such good cabling as you. It is dfinitely superior , sound wise with so many more connection options. I mention this so others can get a reference if they are considering purchase. By the way thanks for the great channel - I purchased the Brooklyn partly based on your review and no regrets there.
Once again an excellent review of a product that I had no idea existed. Something that I am now interested in as I have been looking for this type of solution to upgrade from my sonos control. My only reservation are the digital outs (or lack thereof ) for my Cyrus DAC. However great stuff and I hope that you will. ..... KEEP ON KEEPING ON. Thanks Hans.
Thank you very much for this review. I have the pro-ject s2 dac and love it, I was excited about the release of the streamer box but dismissed it after reading and believing forums saying it was jus a RPi in a box with volumino, I can see from your review and explanation that there is some high quality components and engineering involved. I’m looking at the pro-ject power supply as well so I would be interested in your views on that.
Hi Hans. Thanks for the review as always. So intriguing. Considering the fact that not many decent (in price and quality) USB streamers out there. I did not get the name of second sbooster power supply that you mentioned (80%). Please post it. Thanks.
You can always switch on close caption if my accent is in the way. There is only one series of sBoosters for sale (in many voltage variations) and that is he sBooster BOTW P&P ECO MK 2 (booster.com).
Do you recall the exact cm 3 module for this and the stack audio link 1 ? You mention the cm3L so the emmc memory must be on the main board somewhere? I ask as I might try replacing the provided cm3 , to be used as a backup, and start testing alternative firmwares
Hi Hans, A great review. Maybe you would have an opportunity to review Lindemann limetree bridge and Waversa WStreamer? On paper they look very well engineered and could be a good competitors for SOTM SMS-200 Ultra or Pro-Ject Stream Box 2 Ultra. Thanks.
Hi Hans, I have recently discovered Roon and my CDs are becoming nothing more than room decoration. At least they offer some colour. My system is the Marantz HD AMP 1 with Focal Chorus 706 speakers, unfortunately, the Amp is almost twice the cost of the speakers but it's too late to follow the 45% of budget on speakers rule. Ok, so down to my question, I use the Chromecast audio around the house connecting to an AVR in the cellar, a pair of active speakers in my bedroom and into the Marantz HD AMP 1 via toslink. If you are familiar with CC, what kind of a %age improvement could I expect if I replaced the CC into the Amp with this Project stream box S2? Dank je wel!
Just found your review of the CCA so I withdraw my question. CCA is deemed very poor, unsurprisingly given the price and the intended application by Google. The hunt for a streamer starts in earnest.
And if anyone is interested, I ended up buying the Cocktail Audio ND 15......it has more connection possibilities than the Project Stream Box. Using it wth Roon is great - I think my CD buying days are well and truly over now.
@@NaumHN I bought another product - the one from Cocktail Audio. That indeed has no USB out if that's what you meant by your comment (sorry, it wasn't clear but I think you were asking a question).
Hans - just got hold of the GLD. It's nothing short of a miracle 😀 What I'm particularly enjoying are higher registry notes - strings, flutes etc. Also - QOBUZ is now part of the deal! A brilliant device. Thanks for the accurate review that gave me the confidence to buy the GLD.
I am at the entry level of this new hobby. The big question I have…………….Will I notice an improvement in sound quality? I am currently streaming Tidal from a windows 10 laptop, to the Project Audio Pre box S2 Digital DAC then onto a Marantz amp. I understand streaming form a laptop is not the optimal method due to all the noise going on inside the laptop. Since investing in the Project DAC, I have been blown away by the sound quality. The only way I can justify shelling out £599 for this streamer is for a noticeable improvement in quality. Thanks for your reviews they are very informative.
Hans, can we easily switch and immediately play a song from Roon to Spotify and go back ? or does it involve multiple steps such as going to software and choosing another source and switching and then play that source? Thinking of how seasmless is Cambridge audio cx2.
Another great review, Hans! You have a great channel which is very much worth supporting (I just did so). I need your advice, if you please, on the following issue. I recently started upgrading my system and began by buying an Accuphase amp. My problem is the following: I am currently streaming hi res files and CD rips files from a Synology 212+ NAS via the Synology Audio Remote (USB connection) to a TEAC DAC UD-501 and then to the Accuphase amp. To play music I am using the Synology DS Audio application on my smartphone. There are frequent dropouts in the application and the connection, and I am also not very happy about the quality of the music. I was therefore thinking of going into the direction of buying a new DAC and a new streamer (or a combo of some kind). I was initially thinking of the NAIM ND 5XS or the new expected NAD models, but, based on your reviews, I am now looking more into the direction of Pro-Ject or SOtM products. Therefore possible solutions may be: 1. Buy only the Pro-ject Stream Box S2 and use it with the TEAC DAC. This will save me some money and will give me the option to use TEAC's balanced outputs (the amp has two balanced inputs). 2. Buy the Pro-ject Stream Box S2 and the Pro-Ject DAC Box S2+. This is a very slightly more expensive solution. In this case I will have a stylish system of the same brand but will lose the balanced output. 3. Buy the SOtM sMS-200ultra (plus eventually a power supply) and use the TEAC DAC 4. Buy the SOtM sMS-200ultra (plus eventually a power supply) and the Chord Qutest DAC. This is by far the most expensive solution. I am after a cost-efficient solution which will yet utilize the great potential of the Accuphase amp. The difference in sound quality has to be more than 20 % in order for me to invest a double price (say between solutions 2 and 4). Also, it has to be a much more stable and high quality solution than the Synology Audio Remote. I know that the standard answer is "Take it home and listen for yourself to decide" but I am very curious to hear what would your gut feeling say about which of these four solutions is the best. Thanks in advance for your kind comment. Emil
It is impossible to give personal advice. The Accuphase is good enough to use my front-end (SOtM/Mytek/Syntaxx/AQvox). You could do it in steps and start with the SOtM.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thanks for your reply, Hans. I tried to find the SOtM but it seems almost impossible to get and try in Austria (I am based in Vienna). On the other hand, the Pro-ject Stream Box S2 is very easy to get here (and is also half the price of the SOtM). Do you think that the SOtM is so dramatically better as to justify the investment and the efforts to get it? Thanks, Emil
A great product sonically. However the app offers very limited information on the tracks and often does not display all the tidal search results. Luckily the roon app does and controls the device nicely. Strangely when playing mqa files using the roon app the mqa indicator dot lights in a purple color which is not stated in the Brooklyn dac manual at all. Playing the Same file directly from the project app results in a blue light on the authentication dot. What does this mean?
Enjoyed the video Hans, thank you! I wonder why many of these dedicated streamers (i.e. no DAC) only have USB out. In my mind, AES or Coax is a better choice (or ideally I2S). It would be great if you could provide some commentary around this - and whether or not that should influence how you choose one of these to match with one’s own system.
The best interface is the one that is best designed. In this case the AES/EBU is impressive. But if you use USB, you can send along control signals and that is practical...
I might be a bit late to the party but I have a question about the Pro-ject Stream Box S2 Ultra. I have recently acquired a very expensive Accuphase system and now usually listen to CDs when I care about the best sound. I still have a Melco, which is an excellent NAS/streamer, but since I bought an Accuphase SACD player I have stopped streaming apart from when I want to listen to something I don't owe and use Tidal. The Melco also does not have a DAC built in and is connected to my Accuphase SACD player. Still, I feel that the Melco is a bit of an overkill as it is really built to also store music on it but I only use it for streaming Tidal. It also does not have Spotify built-in, which is what my children use. The Pro-ject Stream Box S2 Ultra seems like the perfect alternative and while expensive for what it is, if I sold my Melco and bought the Pro-ject Stream Box S2 Ultra, I would probably still have money left. My question is, have you any idea how the Pro-ject Stream Box S2 Ultra compares to the Melco for streaming Tidal ?
Hans, I have decided to buy the Project S2 to move away from my current lap top/foobar set up and add 'proper'streaming. I currently have an iFi iUSB micro in between my lap top and the DAC - which works very well. Will I be able to keep the iUSB Micro if I add a Project S2 or is it a waste of time - doing the same job twice? I still intend to use my lap top as the music file storage - of is there a better way? Mitch
I have never tried the Pro-ject/ iUSB combo. The Pro-ject already outputs a very clean signal so it might not add quality or even degrade the quality. But it might also be a good combo. Using the laptop for storage is fine.
Hi Hans, As it has the hot spot option does it mean that we can use it with a smartphone avoiding an internet connection ? I have a friend who has his top hifi system out ot the house and has no internet connection there. Thanks if you can answer.
Currently I play Tidal direct from the Tidal app on a tablet via Bluetooth to a bluetooth enabled DAC. Will I be able to use the same app with the Pro-Ject, but of course over wifi with the Pro-ject plugged into the DAC via USB? I don't want to have to use some odd third party Pro-ject interface, which by the looks of it is terrible versus Tidal's proper app.
Thank you for that great overview..I own one and I experiment a lot of noise at beginning of each playback. Volume is also to high a d then lowered within the first 2 sec...very dissapointed and I am use to a pi and justboom hat with volumio and sound results are much better . This issue is occurring when using USB output to my RME ADI-2 Dac
@@yangarzon8994 What is the outcome for you? After some updates on Roon and Volumio the volume output to my DAC is now extremely soft. Its really annoying as my chromecast is flawless. I am thinking to dump the Volumio software and just install the Ropieee image.
Thanks for the great review. I have one and love it but it doesn't seem to do gapless playback when streaming Tidal. Is there a way to make this happen?
Hi Hans! How does the Pro-ject Stream Box S2 Ultra compare to the Bluesound noce 2i, is there a big difference in sound? Both products seams to be very good, but Bluesound support more features, also other brands start to use BluOS. So I´m thinking of going with Blousound if the sound quality is about the same as Pro-ject?
The Bluesound is a streamer (so includes DAC with MQA) while the StreamBox SE is a network bridge that doesn't include a DAC. So they are incomparable.
People that have an amplifier and want to play music from stored drives, network, Usb-drive and to use Tidal, Spotify etc. They can´t choose from these two? They are both streamers so why can´t you compare them? I really like your channels information but I dont understand you here.. please explain. @@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel
I did explain: the Bluesound contains a digital to analog converter (DAC) and thus can be connected directly to an amp. The Pro-ject doesn't and needs an additional DAC like this one: ruclips.net/video/_3RUADt81x8/видео.html
Yes, that is a difference but most new amplifiers have a build in dac, that you can connect via USB. For example Hegel H190, Moon Neo 240i will it not work then? It needs an external DAC? For me I want to have as few gadgets as possible, I think the less stuff that is in the way from source to speakers is the best, so that equipment cannot interfere and color the sound. Again thank you for taking time out to answer my question! @@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel
Hi Hans, i don’t know if rhis is the right place for asking you for some advice, but i’ll give it a shot. I am looking for a simple good quality streamer (i use spotify) to hook up to my Luxman L10 vintage amplifier (and kef r3 speakers). Reason for my question is that there are so manny choices it’s hard to pic out the right one 😊 Hope can give me some advice or direction. Thanx.
Hi Hans, I’m using the stream box Ultra with a Chord Qutest DAC. Is it better to to tick upsampling in streambox menu settings or leave that to the Chord?
Not sure if you’re able to assist...but whist sorting out compilation albums, they seem to come out as individual artists rather than be grouped as a compilation. Any tips to cure this? Thanks
Hello Mr Hans. Hopefully you can give me your thoughts on this. I am planning my stereo hifi system at the moment. I would like to know how the Project S2 Ultra combo (S2 digital pre + stream ultra S2) compare soundwise to the Cocktail Audio X35? I have read some reviews on the X35 and Im afraid of the sound being too upfront, thank you.
Hi Hans. Great review! I'm wondering if the Spotify Connect implementation supports multiple accounts ? As in, can people logged into their own accounts, all stream to the S2 Ultra ?
Hi Hans, How would you compare this audio-wise to Allo USBridge and Cambridge Audio CXN v2? I'm mostly curious if it's worth it's price when compared especially to Allo USBridge.
Hello Hans, I just bought the Project Stream Box S2 Ultra and need to decide how to connect it to the network. I have 2 choices: wifi or a 15-20 meters ethernet cable from the router. Which one do you think I should use? I would try myself but I don't have the ethernet cable and would like to buy one only if needed. Thanks!
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel well in the end I bought the cable and tried both ways. Both work well, but the wifi sounds much better in my case, deeper soundstage and more precise imaging. I guess direct connection from my generic modem through 20 mt ethernet cable (no ethernet switch or isolators) induces to much degradation to the signal.
@@StefanoCipo87 same here, wifi also sounds better in my system. But serious streaming via ethernet cable requires at least the insertion of a network switch between router and stream box, ideally a good one (silent angel bonn n8 or similar). Then, the PSU of the switch matters (i do not have a switch but i replaced the cheap psu for the router (!) with the 100€ ifi psu and sound Q improved alot via ethernet, yet it was by far not as good as via wifi..), ethernet cables matter too, so, unless you have dropouts with wifi it is definitely a very good starting point, which to improve above will take some cash. Note, I use Spotify (320kB/s), HiRes streaming might change the picture w.r.t. dropouts...
Fascinating device.. Sounds like it is priced very competitively. If I get one, I will pair it with Proj-Ject's Box S2 Ultra DAC. I wonder how one goes about streaming Amazon Music and get the highest track and sound quality available from Amazon Music ? I don't think it is supported directly through software, unlike Tidal...
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel I think I can hard wire my iOS device or my laptop to the USB port of this device and get very high quality audio while running the Amazon Music APP... I think.... But I will not be taking advantage of this device's streaming capabilities. For convenience, I was hoping to do it wirelessly(Airplay or Bluetooth) and still maintain the audio quality of the source. I don't think this is possible. Airplay knocks it down to 44khz and it does not say what Bluetooth codecs it supports. Best would be to integrate by software between this device and Amazon Music like it does with Tidal etc.... Thanks for your feedback !
An update: I read a review of Amazon Music HD offering from AudiophileStyle and the author says: "I've been an Amazon Music HD subscriber since day one and have used the service off and on since signing up. Most of this use has been on my mobile phone or desktop. There just aren't many options for listening in another way, such as integration with Lumin, Aurender, Auralic, JRiver, Roon, etc..." He goes on to say the only platforms / streamers that work with Amazon Music are BlueOS (Bluesound and NAD) and Heos (Marantz, Denon). Sigh...
To connect it to your amp you would need a USB to SPDIF converter. I would rather choose a model that has SPDIF as output like the Lindemann Limetree Bridge: ruclips.net/video/MFKOXTEcntM/видео.html
How much of the comparison is depended on the DAC you used. Don't you use the Mytek Brooklyn in your Set One and the Mojo in your Set Two vs the Meridian you were using to evaluate the Stream Box S2 Ultra. Also would be interesting to know how the S2 Ultra compares utilizing the Pre-Box S2 Digital for a DAC vs the Meridian.
A chain is as weak as the weakest link. That goes for streamers and DAC's. Your question is answered in the video: the Pro-Ject is very good but really not as good as the SOtM.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Okay thank you, I will go back and review the video I must have just missed your answer when I first watched the video. Thanks for getting back to me. BTW, I purchased the Cambridge CXN V2 partially based on your review and am very happy with it. I am looking at getting a second unit for my basement listening room. Unfortunately, where I live there are no Project dealers, so, I have no opportunity to do first-hand evals. From your experience would you say the S2 Ultra is sonically competitive with the CXN V2 and an option to consider or is the CXN sonically superior?
The setup stage and the interface seems to be Volumio 2 , isn't it ? Can You honestly say that it sounds better then a common raspi with volumio 2 onboard ? ( Using the same external dac and psu of course...)
Hi Giuseppe, I think you need to watch a few more of Hans's excellent videos here where he explains why this kind on attention to design detail makes such a difference. I have come through the raspi/volumio route, moving on to better streamers (Aries Mini, Sonore microRendu) and the difference is like night and day. I am now waiting for the delivery of an Sotm sms-200 Ultra neo - I can't wait!
@@iansharp1171 Hi :-) May I ask to which extend you're hearing these differences with using Spotify as a source? With which DAC/amp/speakers. I'm really curious
@@michaelhametner9780 Hi, I don't use Spotify. I use Tidal and other FLAC files on my network via an I7 NUC acting as a Roon Server. I stream using a SotM sms-200 ultra Neo with the sps-500 PSU. This feeds my Rega DAC-r and then Rega Brio amp. B&W speakers on B&W stands (I can't remember the model - I'm at work). Also a Lehmann Audio Rhineland heaphone amp with Grado SR325e headphones. The difference between the sms-200 Ultra and my old raspi is astonishing to say the least. It's even an amazing jump from my Aries Mini which gave a fine sound.
ruclips.net/video/u3x6JoN9LDg/видео.html and ruclips.net/video/9EKB0NH0qDA/видео.html but I wonder how you are going to use it with the sMS-200 Ultra....
It seams that everytime I power off/restart the Stream Box S2 Ultra network bridge unit and plug the drive into a Windows system that Windows always want to do a chkdsk. I have plugged the drive into several windows machine with the same results. Have you encountered this issue? My drive is a 2tb and formatted as FAT32. Last time (1/3/20) the OS did a chkdsk and found two files which were like 64kb each. I can plug the drive which is only a couple months old from one computer to another without flagging a chkdsk until I goo from Stream Box S2 Ultra network bridge to a system. I'm thinking that the Stream Box S2 Ultra network bridge is not properly stopping the index of the drive upon a shutdown/restart or the Stream Box S2 Ultra network bridge has an open file
Which IOS app have you used for this if at all? There are only two official apps: Box Control and Pro-ject Play, the Project Stream S2 is not an official one.
Since the player software in the Pro-ject is the Linux MPD (Music Player Deamon), all kinds of app's can be used. I think I used the Volumio app (since it is the Volumio software running on the Pro-ject) but I mainly used Roon.
Did you mean 100 kilobit Ethernet or 100 megabit Ethernet (you said kilobits but I suspect a slip of the tongue)? Can even 100 megabits handle hi-res audio? I was under the impression such devices need 1 gigabit, but I may be mistaken. Thanks.
Hi Hans Interesting review. Looks like a very good, reasonably priced streamer. How about a comparison to the Allo DigiOne Signature Player, next. Btw, why wasn't this posted on Patreon?
No, I think not. A lack of feature forth mentioning. A real "pleasure" to experience a pause, followed by a few cracks in between "In the Flesh?" and "The Thin Ice"... Now it's to late, I bought the God Damn Thing...
Thank you Hans, my prays were finally heard:) I waited for this review for quite a while and finally just saw you done it. So far I think you're the only one who did it, as before all you could find over the internet were marketing praisings and EISA award win, which does not say anything about SQ. If it is better than original SMS-200 /SMS-200neo it is already great, but how about non neo SMS-200ultra? Did I understood correctly, that Pro-ject does not benefit that much from separate hi quality PSU, or hooking top quality PSU will stretch it's erformance even further? SMS-200ultra is like 1000-1400 USD, but with shipping costs and import duties it is nearly double price of Pro-Ject in EU. I was tempted by SoTM products, but when i saw S2 ultra, decided to wait for proper review :)
Hans, thank you for your review. I am very interested in this product since I have recently bought the S2 DAC. One Q though, have You compared the streamer running a Network cable and running via the Arial. If so any definitive differences you noticed?
It can't have MQA rendering since it has no DAC. If you use it with the Pro-Ject DAC (watch ruclips.net/video/_3RUADt81x8/видео.html) it fully decodes and renders MQA. You could also use another MQA rendering DAC.
Hi Hans. Great review, as always. I recently got my hands on this device and I am keeping it for tests in order to see if it fits my setup. I have a couple of questions and hopefully you will be able to provide some feedback: 1. Can I use a bigger antenna (let's say from an Asus router)? This should boost the Wifi signal reception, correct? I don't have network cables in my room and Wifi is the only option. 2. I am using an ifi micro iDSD Black Label as DAC connected to an ifi PRO iCAN amplifier. Until now the DAC was connected to my laptop but between these 2 units I was already using an ifi iGalvanic 3.0 device and afterwards an ifi micro iUSB 3.0 reclocker. Question: should I try to use one of them (or both) and put them between the Stream S2 and ifi DAC? Thank you in advance, Andrei.
1 the antenna needs to be tuned to the frequency used.A longer antenna is not increasing the quality of reception unless it is designed for that frequency range. 2 no, that will most likely decrease the quality.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thank you so much for this valuable feedback. My initial thought was to use a Mac Mini 2018 version only for Roon but, at least for the moment, I stopped at this device because I read on many forums that there are issues with sound on 2018 version Macs because of the T2 chipset.
The Stream Box S2 Ultra beats any computer when feeding a DAC over USB. Hands down. But I would not know what problems there are with 2018 Mac's. There have been driver issues since Apple has changed - improved? - the way audio is handled in MacOS.
The noise generated by PC's as such is inaudible. But it lays a burden on audio circuits resulting in a harsh sound, sharp S-sounds and so on. I know nothing about headphones but I would be surprised if it wouldn't be audible on a decent headphone.
Nice Review, Hans can i ask a question? Connecting my ext hd with my music files to the usb input on the S2Ultra, can Roon on my laptop see it and play it, like if I had my ext hd connected to my laptop, as I do now ? Maybe a stupid question, but I am not clear on this! Thanks.
I don't have the Pro-Ject here anymore, so I can't try. But I have tried it with Volumio (Pro-Ject uses an OEM version of Volumio) and ran into access problems. In Volumio that might be adjusted since the user has access to the system over ssh. But that won't be the case with the Pro-Ject. Perhaps the best solution is to use a simple NAS, like the Synology DS119J that is around € 100 (without HD). You can have both the Pro-Ject and Roon index the music on the NAS and play music using the Pro-Ject software or Roon.
Yes, since the Stream Box is ou can install other software. But I wonder if that's wise. I'm not going to help you for if you do it wrong, you will brick the Stream Box.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel of course.. I wouldn't ask for such a thing.... it's not simple to do!! But since it's a very good piece of hardware as it seems it would be nice if the Linux community (Archphile, Volumio, Rune, MoOde .. etc) developed any updated images for it! Do you know what version of MPD is it running? Thank you again!
O, you can use standard images. BTW it already uses a luxury version of Volumio so there is nothing to gain from MoOde or Rune. But if you do want to switch software you have to flash the internal storage (it doesn't use a MicroSD card). Again, I wouldn't, Volumio works fine, is versatile and does all that the standard Volumio does (with the exceptions of third party add-ons which generally aren't great).
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thank you Hans. I guess MQA ready really just applies to DACs. Sorry for the ignorant question... hopefully your reply helps others. I bought a Topping MQA DAC and this unit only does proper MQA processing from its USB input. So with typical streamers like BS Node 2i or Cambridge CXN they have SPDIF and optical out, no USB, so still can't hear proper MQA using the stupid Topping. I guess they figure people who stream from non-computer sources don't value MQA.
@@golfnutintib1 I have almost the same issue, but in reverse. I am curious about MQA, but I have a Chord Qutest dac, which does not decode MQA. Which is annoying since there is a lot of it on Tidal.
Congratulations ,thank you! I'VE seen a lot of your videos, and all are very good...carefully prepared, clear narrated, useful and nice commented. You're doing an excellent work 👏
Thank you very much!
Hi Hans,
Based on your review I have purchased the Project streamer (albeit with a 30 day return option) and I'm current enjoying it. My previous transport was the Usbridge which I'm in the process of comparing it to. I was using the Usbridge with dual power supplies -battery to the bridge & Ifi to the Sparky. I also have the Brooklyn but maybe not such good cabling as you. It is dfinitely superior , sound wise with so many more connection options. I mention this so others can get a reference if they are considering purchase.
By the way thanks for the great channel - I purchased the Brooklyn partly based on your review and no regrets there.
This has been a big help as I continue to set it up. Thank you
Glad it helped!
Thanks again for a great review!
Once again an excellent review of a product that I had no idea existed. Something that I am now interested in as I have been looking for this type of solution to upgrade from my sonos control. My only reservation are the digital outs (or lack thereof ) for my Cyrus DAC.
However great stuff and I hope that you will. .....
KEEP ON KEEPING ON.
Thanks Hans.
Thank you very much for this review. I have the pro-ject s2 dac and love it, I was excited about the release of the streamer box but dismissed it after reading and believing forums saying it was jus a RPi in a box with volumino, I can see from your review and explanation that there is some high quality components and engineering involved. I’m looking at the pro-ject power supply as well so I would be interested in your views on that.
Hi Hans. Thanks for the review as always. So intriguing. Considering the fact that not many decent (in price and quality) USB streamers out there. I did not get the name of second sbooster power supply that you mentioned (80%). Please post it. Thanks.
You can always switch on close caption if my accent is in the way. There is only one series of sBoosters for sale (in many voltage variations) and that is he sBooster BOTW P&P ECO MK 2 (booster.com).
Do you recall the exact cm 3 module for this and the stack audio link 1 ? You mention the cm3L so the emmc memory must be on the main board somewhere? I ask as I might try replacing the provided cm3 , to be used as a backup, and start testing alternative firmwares
Sorry, no.
Thank you.
Hi Hans,
A great review. Maybe you would have an opportunity to review Lindemann limetree bridge and Waversa WStreamer? On paper they look very well engineered and could be a good competitors for
SOTM SMS-200 Ultra or Pro-Ject Stream Box 2 Ultra. Thanks.
Thank you Hans for your reviews..
Can this streamer decode MQA and send it to ifi xdsd? I think of software decoding, like in Tidal app on desktop..
It can not decode or render MQA but it can pass on the MQA file unaltered to a DAC that can decode and render MQA
Really enjoyed the Pre-ject video BUT I’m Really anticipating the video on jitter Hans? When might we expect it? Thanks.
Hans talks about jitter in this one: ruclips.net/video/grzoqEb2KMk/видео.html
Great review!! Does it work with audirvana plus via UPnP?
I haven't tried but the Pro-ject runs on Volumio and that supports UPnP AV and DLNA. So it should work.
The Hans Beekhuyzen Channel Thank you Hans!!
Hi Hans, I have recently discovered Roon and my CDs are becoming nothing more than room decoration. At least they offer some colour. My system is the Marantz HD AMP 1 with Focal Chorus 706 speakers, unfortunately, the Amp is almost twice the cost of the speakers but it's too late to follow the 45% of budget on speakers rule. Ok, so down to my question, I use the Chromecast audio around the house connecting to an AVR in the cellar, a pair of active speakers in my bedroom and into the Marantz HD AMP 1 via toslink. If you are familiar with CC, what kind of a %age improvement could I expect if I replaced the CC into the Amp with this Project stream box S2? Dank je wel!
It is impossible to give a percentage, as I explain in this video: ruclips.net/video/EykkzxUstL4/видео.html.
Just found your review of the CCA so I withdraw my question. CCA is deemed very poor, unsurprisingly given the price and the intended application by Google. The hunt for a streamer starts in earnest.
And if anyone is interested, I ended up buying the Cocktail Audio ND 15......it has more connection possibilities than the Project Stream Box. Using it wth Roon is great - I think my CD buying days are well and truly over now.
@@dans8129 there is no usb out...
@@NaumHN I bought another product - the one from Cocktail Audio. That indeed has no USB out if that's what you meant by your comment (sorry, it wasn't clear but I think you were asking a question).
Hans - just got hold of the GLD. It's nothing short of a miracle 😀
What I'm particularly enjoying are higher registry notes - strings, flutes etc. Also - QOBUZ is now part of the deal! A brilliant device. Thanks for the accurate review that gave me the confidence to buy the GLD.
@@BB-Rareburto 'Giant Little Dwarf' :-)
I am at the entry level of this new hobby. The big question I have…………….Will I notice an improvement in sound quality? I am currently streaming Tidal from a windows 10 laptop, to the Project Audio Pre box S2 Digital DAC then onto a Marantz amp. I understand streaming form a laptop is not the optimal method due to all the noise going on inside the laptop. Since investing in the Project DAC, I have been blown away by the sound quality. The only way I can justify shelling out £599 for this streamer is for a noticeable improvement in quality. Thanks for your reviews they are very informative.
I really can't say if you would appreciate the sound quality improvement the streamer would bring. I personally would find it more than satisfying.
Hans, can we easily switch and immediately play a song from Roon to Spotify and go back ? or does it involve multiple steps such as going to software and choosing another source and switching and then play that source? Thinking of how seasmless is Cambridge audio cx2.
I have no way of checking that now. The Stream Box is no longer here and it was a long time ago I did the review.
Another great review, Hans! You have a great channel which is very much worth supporting (I just did so). I need your advice, if you please, on the following issue. I recently started upgrading my system and began by buying an Accuphase amp. My problem is the following:
I am currently streaming hi res files and CD rips files from a Synology 212+ NAS via the Synology Audio Remote (USB connection) to a TEAC DAC UD-501 and then to the Accuphase amp. To play music I am using the Synology DS Audio application on my smartphone. There are frequent dropouts in the application and the connection, and I am also not very happy about the quality of the music. I was therefore thinking of going into the direction of buying a new DAC and a new streamer (or a combo of some kind). I was initially thinking of the NAIM ND 5XS or the new expected NAD models, but, based on your reviews, I am now looking more into the direction of Pro-Ject or SOtM products. Therefore possible solutions may be:
1. Buy only the Pro-ject Stream Box S2 and use it with the TEAC DAC. This will save me some money and will give me the option to use TEAC's balanced outputs (the amp has two balanced inputs).
2. Buy the Pro-ject Stream Box S2 and the Pro-Ject DAC Box S2+. This is a very slightly more expensive solution. In this case I will have a stylish system of the same brand but will lose the balanced output.
3. Buy the SOtM sMS-200ultra (plus eventually a power supply) and use the TEAC DAC
4. Buy the SOtM sMS-200ultra (plus eventually a power supply) and the Chord Qutest DAC. This is by far the most expensive solution.
I am after a cost-efficient solution which will yet utilize the great potential of the Accuphase amp. The difference in sound quality has to be more than 20 % in order for me to invest a double price (say between solutions 2 and 4). Also, it has to be a much more stable and high quality solution than the Synology Audio Remote.
I know that the standard answer is "Take it home and listen for yourself to decide" but I am very curious to hear what would your gut feeling say about which of these four solutions is the best.
Thanks in advance for your kind comment.
Emil
It is impossible to give personal advice. The Accuphase is good enough to use my front-end (SOtM/Mytek/Syntaxx/AQvox). You could do it in steps and start with the SOtM.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thanks for your reply, Hans. I tried to find the SOtM but it seems almost impossible to get and try in Austria (I am based in Vienna). On the other hand, the Pro-ject Stream Box S2 is very easy to get here (and is also half the price of the SOtM). Do you think that the SOtM is so dramatically better as to justify the investment and the efforts to get it? Thanks, Emil
Yes
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Will try to get it then :-)
Yes. The Pro-ject is good but sMS-200ultra is better and better in line with your amp.
A great product sonically. However the app offers very limited information on the tracks and often does not display all the tidal search results. Luckily the roon app does and controls the device nicely. Strangely when playing mqa files using the roon app the mqa indicator dot lights in a purple color which is not stated in the Brooklyn dac manual at all. Playing the Same file directly from the project app results in a blue light on the authentication dot. What does this mean?
Enjoyed the video Hans, thank you! I wonder why many of these dedicated streamers (i.e. no DAC) only have USB out. In my mind, AES or Coax is a better choice (or ideally I2S). It would be great if you could provide some commentary around this - and whether or not that should influence how you choose one of these to match with one’s own system.
The best interface is the one that is best designed. In this case the AES/EBU is impressive. But if you use USB, you can send along control signals and that is practical...
I might be a bit late to the party but I have a question about the Pro-ject Stream Box S2 Ultra. I have recently acquired a very expensive Accuphase system and now usually listen to CDs when I care about the best sound. I still have a Melco, which is an excellent NAS/streamer, but since I bought an Accuphase SACD player I have stopped streaming apart from when I want to listen to something I don't owe and use Tidal. The Melco also does not have a DAC built in and is connected to my Accuphase SACD player. Still, I feel that the Melco is a bit of an overkill as it is really built to also store music on it but I only use it for streaming Tidal. It also does not have Spotify built-in, which is what my children use. The Pro-ject Stream Box S2 Ultra seems like the perfect alternative and while expensive for what it is, if I sold my Melco and bought the Pro-ject Stream Box S2 Ultra, I would probably still have money left. My question is, have you any idea how the Pro-ject Stream Box S2 Ultra compares to the Melco for streaming Tidal ?
I don't know the Melco, so I can't help you there. Sorry.
Ok, thanks anyway. I might see if my dealer can get it in to do a comparison.@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel
Fantastic video I feel like I was trying to start a fire by rubbing two sticks before I started watching your program.
Great to hear!
Hans,
I have decided to buy the Project S2 to move away from my current lap top/foobar set up and add 'proper'streaming. I currently have an iFi iUSB micro in between my lap top and the DAC - which works very well. Will I be able to keep the iUSB Micro if I add a Project S2 or is it a waste of time - doing the same job twice? I still intend to use my lap top as the music file storage - of is there a better way?
Mitch
I have never tried the Pro-ject/ iUSB combo. The Pro-ject already outputs a very clean signal so it might not add quality or even degrade the quality. But it might also be a good combo. Using the laptop for storage is fine.
Hi Hans, As it has the hot spot option does it mean that we can use it with a smartphone avoiding an internet connection ? I have a friend who has his top hifi system out ot the house and has no internet connection there. Thanks if you can answer.
Yes, you can. Put the Pro-ject in hotspot mode and connect your smartphone or tablet to the Pro-ject to controll it.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thanks a lot Hans for the prompt answer. A real pleasure.
Man, you’re right as always, I added the sbooster mk2 to this streamer and Wow - great combo with Pro-Ject Pre box RS2 digital!
👍🏼
Currently I play Tidal direct from the Tidal app on a tablet via Bluetooth to a bluetooth enabled DAC. Will I be able to use the same app with the Pro-Ject, but of course over wifi with the Pro-ject plugged into the DAC via USB? I don't want to have to use some odd third party Pro-ject interface, which by the looks of it is terrible versus Tidal's proper app.
I really don’t know. It’s been a while since I reviewed it.
Thank you for that great overview..I own one and I experiment a lot of noise at beginning of each playback. Volume is also to high a d then lowered within the first 2 sec...very dissapointed and I am use to a pi and justboom hat with volumio and sound results are much better . This issue is occurring when using USB output to my RME ADI-2 Dac
My review sample did not do this. I would have it checked.
What device do you exactly use ? Is the Stream box s2 ultra way better than a Mac mini or laptop ?
@@nickvankreij1626 I was using a RPI with dgihat justboom via coax
@@nickvankreij1626 I think that mine is defective
@@yangarzon8994 What is the outcome for you? After some updates on Roon and Volumio the volume output to my DAC is now extremely soft. Its really annoying as my chromecast is flawless. I am thinking to dump the Volumio software and just install the Ropieee image.
Thanks for the great review. I have one and love it but it doesn't seem to do gapless playback when streaming Tidal. Is there a way to make this happen?
Hi Hans! How does the Pro-ject Stream Box S2 Ultra compare to the Bluesound noce 2i, is there a big difference in sound? Both products seams to be very good, but Bluesound support more features, also other brands start to use BluOS. So I´m thinking of going with Blousound if the sound quality is about the same as Pro-ject?
The Bluesound is a streamer (so includes DAC with MQA) while the StreamBox SE is a network bridge that doesn't include a DAC. So they are incomparable.
People that have an amplifier and want to play music from stored drives, network, Usb-drive and to use Tidal, Spotify etc. They can´t choose from these two? They are both streamers so why can´t you compare them? I really like your channels information but I dont understand you here.. please explain. @@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel
I did explain: the Bluesound contains a digital to analog converter (DAC) and thus can be connected directly to an amp. The Pro-ject doesn't and needs an additional DAC like this one: ruclips.net/video/_3RUADt81x8/видео.html
Yes, that is a difference but most new amplifiers have a build in dac, that you can connect via USB. For example Hegel H190, Moon Neo 240i will it not work then? It needs an external DAC? For me I want to have as few gadgets as possible, I think the less stuff that is in the way from source to speakers is the best, so that equipment cannot interfere and color the sound. Again thank you for taking time out to answer my question! @@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel
If the amp has a USB audio input, then I would go for the Pro-ject.
Hi Hans, i don’t know if rhis is the right place for asking you for some advice, but i’ll give it a shot. I am looking for a simple good quality streamer (i use spotify) to hook up to my Luxman L10 vintage amplifier (and kef r3 speakers). Reason for my question is that there are so manny choices it’s hard to pic out the right one 😊 Hope can give me some advice or direction. Thanx.
You find all my streamer reviews here: ruclips.net/p/PLMbsmejHnP8HQVuvO_xSXAPmV1CVswsvi
Hi Hans,
I’m using the stream box Ultra with a Chord Qutest DAC. Is it better to to tick upsampling in streambox menu settings or leave that to the Chord?
I haven't tried but the Chord upsampling is better (that's what makes the Qutest what it is)
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thanks for the tip. Ultra and Qutest sounds sublime.
Is a Linear PSU an advantage for Streaming?
A good one certainly is.
Not sure if you’re able to assist...but whist sorting out compilation albums, they seem to come out as individual artists rather than be grouped as a compilation.
Any tips to cure this? Thanks
Watch ruclips.net/video/NXgu4QLJT44/видео.html
The Hans Beekhuyzen Channel Very informative and resolved my issue. Thank you.👍🏽
Hi is it ok to leave the stream box running continuous rather push the button to start it up every time you want to use it Thank you
That’s exactly what I would do.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thank You Hans, BTW great review helped me immensely to make my decision and extremely happy
👍🏻
Hello Mr Hans. Hopefully you can give me your thoughts on this. I am planning my stereo hifi system at the moment. I would like to know how the Project S2 Ultra combo (S2 digital pre + stream ultra S2) compare soundwise to the Cocktail Audio X35? I have read some reviews on the X35 and Im afraid of the sound being too upfront, thank you.
I have reeviewed the X35 too. Watch ruclips.net/video/N84d4RahheY/видео.html
Hi Hans. Great review! I'm wondering if the Spotify Connect implementation supports multiple accounts ? As in, can people logged into their own accounts, all stream to the S2 Ultra ?
I haven’t checked that and the unit already left so I can’t check. Sorry.
Does the streamer require a usb dac or is the dac in the streamer good enough ? Thanks
I does require a USB DAC.
Hi Hans, How would you compare this audio-wise to Allo USBridge and Cambridge Audio CXN v2? I'm mostly curious if it's worth it's price when compared especially to Allo USBridge.
I can’t be clearer than in my review
Hello Hans, I just bought the Project Stream Box S2 Ultra and need to decide how to connect it to the network. I have 2 choices: wifi or a 15-20 meters ethernet cable from the router. Which one do you think I should use? I would try myself but I don't have the ethernet cable and would like to buy one only if needed. Thanks!
If WiFi works good, it works good. If you get problems it’s early enough to buy Ethernet cable.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel thanks for the reply. So no likely differences in sound quality?
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel well in the end I bought the cable and tried both ways. Both work well, but the wifi sounds much better in my case, deeper soundstage and more precise imaging. I guess direct connection from my generic modem through 20 mt ethernet cable (no ethernet switch or isolators) induces to much degradation to the signal.
@@StefanoCipo87 same here, wifi also sounds better in my system. But serious streaming via ethernet cable requires at least the insertion of a network switch between router and stream box, ideally a good one (silent angel bonn n8 or similar). Then, the PSU of the switch matters (i do not have a switch but i replaced the cheap psu for the router (!) with the 100€ ifi psu and sound Q improved alot via ethernet, yet it was by far not as good as via wifi..), ethernet cables matter too, so, unless you have dropouts with wifi it is definitely a very good starting point, which to improve above will take some cash. Note, I use Spotify (320kB/s), HiRes streaming might change the picture w.r.t. dropouts...
Hi Hans, thanks for the great review. have you tested whether you can plug a CD rom drive into the USB input port, and playback CD? thanks
No, I have not. Sorry.
Fascinating device.. Sounds like it is priced very competitively. If I get one, I will pair it with Proj-Ject's Box S2 Ultra DAC. I wonder how one goes about streaming Amazon Music and get the highest track and sound quality available from Amazon Music ? I don't think it is supported directly through software, unlike Tidal...
I have no experience with Amazon Music. But I understand it’s not easy to integrate AM into devices. So check first before you buy.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel I think I can hard wire my iOS device or my laptop to the USB port of this device and get very high quality audio while running the Amazon Music APP... I think.... But I will not be taking advantage of this device's streaming capabilities. For convenience, I was hoping to do it wirelessly(Airplay or Bluetooth) and still maintain the audio quality of the source. I don't think this is possible. Airplay knocks it down to 44khz and it does not say what Bluetooth codecs it supports. Best would be to integrate by software between this device and Amazon Music like it does with Tidal etc.... Thanks for your feedback !
An update: I read a review of Amazon Music HD offering from AudiophileStyle and the author says: "I've been an Amazon Music HD subscriber since day one and have used the service off and on since signing up. Most of this use has been on my mobile phone or desktop. There just aren't many options for listening in another way, such as integration with Lumin, Aurender, Auralic, JRiver, Roon, etc..." He goes on to say the only platforms / streamers that work with Amazon Music are BlueOS (Bluesound and NAD) and Heos (Marantz, Denon). Sigh...
Hans from your review, are you saying that this Pro-ject streamer goes 3/4 up your set up 1 with its supplied power supply?
I made this video over a year ago. I don't know by head what I have said but I'm sure it's true.
The Hans Beekhuyzen Channel 👍
The Hans Beekhuyzen Channel thank you for your reply.
The Hans Beekhuyzen Channel 🙃
Hey Hans. Can you do a review and comparison between this streamer and Volumio Primo? Thank you so much for your videos!
You find the Primo review here: ruclips.net/video/5jn1SWfK1VI/видео.html
Hi mr. Hans, can I (and how) connect it from it’s USB output to the digital input (coaxial or optical) on my amp?
To connect it to your amp you would need a USB to SPDIF converter. I would rather choose a model that has SPDIF as output like the Lindemann Limetree Bridge: ruclips.net/video/MFKOXTEcntM/видео.html
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thank You. Your advise coincides with my thinking!
How much of the comparison is depended on the DAC you used. Don't you use the Mytek Brooklyn in your Set One and the Mojo in your Set Two vs the Meridian you were using to evaluate the Stream Box S2 Ultra. Also would be interesting to know how the S2 Ultra compares utilizing the Pre-Box S2 Digital for a DAC vs the Meridian.
A chain is as weak as the weakest link. That goes for streamers and DAC's. Your question is answered in the video: the Pro-Ject is very good but really not as good as the SOtM.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Okay thank you, I will go back and review the video I must have just missed your answer when I first watched the video. Thanks for getting back to me. BTW, I purchased the Cambridge CXN V2 partially based on your review and am very happy with it. I am looking at getting a second unit for my basement listening room. Unfortunately, where I live there are no Project dealers, so, I have no opportunity to do first-hand evals. From your experience would you say the S2 Ultra is sonically competitive with the CXN V2 and an option to consider or is the CXN sonically superior?
Hi Hans, a rewiev of Lindemann bridge that is same price as this would be great if possible.
I know, I have applied for a review sample ages ago. I'll check again.
Hans, thanks for the review. Can you please comment on how MQA files on Tidal will be handled if I connect a Red Dragonfly to this unit? Thanks.
Please watch ruclips.net/video/-EWUiqW5hcM/видео.html. For all info on MQA watch ruclips.net/p/PLMbsmejHnP8EPHNgxSxrVvQi7-dW7gm9o
Curious how this holds up 3 years later.
It's average now..
Hello Hans, i just purchase one, It requires a burn în period to give it the best?
It always does.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel thank you! It worth to buy a Sbooster for it? I have a sistem around 15k eu.
The setup stage and the interface seems to be Volumio 2 , isn't it ? Can You honestly say that it sounds better then a common raspi with volumio 2 onboard ? ( Using the same external dac and psu of course...)
Yes, in fact I clearly did.
Hi Giuseppe, I think you need to watch a few more of Hans's excellent videos here where he explains why this kind on attention to design detail makes such a difference. I have come through the raspi/volumio route, moving on to better streamers (Aries Mini, Sonore microRendu) and the difference is like night and day. I am now waiting for the delivery of an Sotm sms-200 Ultra neo - I can't wait!
@@iansharp1171 Hi :-)
May I ask to which extend you're hearing these differences with using Spotify as a source? With which DAC/amp/speakers. I'm really curious
I don’t use Spotify. Sorry.
@@michaelhametner9780 Hi, I don't use Spotify. I use Tidal and other FLAC files on my network via an I7 NUC acting as a Roon Server. I stream using a SotM sms-200 ultra Neo with the sps-500 PSU. This feeds my Rega DAC-r and then Rega Brio amp. B&W speakers on B&W stands (I can't remember the model - I'm at work). Also a Lehmann Audio Rhineland heaphone amp with Grado SR325e headphones. The difference between the sms-200 Ultra and my old raspi is astonishing to say the least. It's even an amazing jump from my Aries Mini which gave a fine sound.
Hoi Hans, how do you think this compares to the SMS-200 (non-ultra version)?
Watch ruclips.net/video/n3sjLQf4Rf0/видео.html
Please do a video on audirvana!! I cannot use anything else with my sms 200 ultra
ruclips.net/video/u3x6JoN9LDg/видео.html and ruclips.net/video/9EKB0NH0qDA/видео.html but I wonder how you are going to use it with the sMS-200 Ultra....
It seams that everytime I power off/restart the Stream Box S2 Ultra network bridge unit and plug the drive into a Windows system that Windows always want to do a chkdsk. I have plugged the drive into several windows machine with the same results. Have you encountered this issue? My drive is a 2tb and formatted as FAT32. Last time (1/3/20) the OS did a chkdsk and found two files which were like 64kb each. I can plug the drive which is only a couple months old from one computer to another without flagging a chkdsk until I goo from Stream Box S2 Ultra network bridge to a system. I'm thinking that the Stream Box S2 Ultra network bridge is not properly stopping the index of the drive upon a shutdown/restart or the Stream Box S2 Ultra network bridge has an open file
Please use tools.project-audio.com/contact.aspx?lang=en&site=project for support. I can't do support.
Which IOS app have you used for this if at all? There are only two official apps: Box Control and Pro-ject Play, the Project Stream S2 is not an official one.
Since the player software in the Pro-ject is the Linux MPD (Music Player Deamon), all kinds of app's can be used. I think I used the Volumio app (since it is the Volumio software running on the Pro-ject) but I mainly used Roon.
Hi Hans, would you be able to review their all in one box solution, the Stream Box S2?
Did you mean 100 kilobit Ethernet or 100 megabit Ethernet (you said kilobits but I suspect a slip of the tongue)? Can even 100 megabits handle hi-res audio? I was under the impression such devices need 1 gigabit, but I may be mistaken. Thanks.
It's 100 megabit per second. CD quality audio is only 1.5 Mbit/s and 192 kHz only 6 Mbit/s.
Thank you, I did not know that. Interesting, for some odd reason I always believed that very high bandwidths were needed.
Hi Hans
Interesting review. Looks like a very good, reasonably priced streamer. How about a comparison to the Allo DigiOne Signature Player, next. Btw, why wasn't this posted on Patreon?
That wouldn't be a fair comparison. It's now on patreon. I had made an error, sorry.
Does this mean you've heard the Signature DigiOne Player or are you just assuming that, based on your experience with the DigiOne Player?
No, but I will soon.
It's supports gapeless playplack from Spotify, Tidal etc?
No, I think not.
A lack of feature forth mentioning.
A real "pleasure" to experience a pause, followed by a few cracks in between "In the Flesh?" and "The Thin Ice"...
Now it's to late, I bought the God Damn Thing...
☹️
Thank you Hans, my prays were finally heard:) I waited for this review for quite a while and finally just saw you done it. So far I think you're the only one who did it, as before all you could find over the internet were marketing praisings and EISA award win, which does not say anything about SQ. If it is better than original SMS-200 /SMS-200neo it is already great, but how about non neo SMS-200ultra? Did I understood correctly, that Pro-ject does not benefit that much from separate hi quality PSU, or hooking top quality PSU will stretch it's erformance even further? SMS-200ultra is like 1000-1400 USD, but with shipping costs and import duties it is nearly double price of Pro-Ject in EU. I was tempted by SoTM products, but when i saw S2 ultra, decided to wait for proper review :)
The SOtM is my favorite and I won’t review a product that seems not interesting enough (although I could judge wrong, of course)
Hans, thank you for your review. I am very interested in this product since I have recently bought the S2 DAC. One Q though, have You compared the streamer running a Network cable and running via the Arial. If so any definitive differences you noticed?
That depends on the local situation. So my experiences don’t help you much.
pity that it lacks MQA. I guess it doesn't have an app to control the device either as I don't wish to hook the device to my mac
It can't have MQA rendering since it has no DAC. If you use it with the Pro-Ject DAC (watch ruclips.net/video/_3RUADt81x8/видео.html) it fully decodes and renders MQA. You could also use another MQA rendering DAC.
Hello can I use my audirvana on this unit
You can with the current Audirvana using DLNA streaming.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel is this unit much better in sound performance then a windows 10 laptop
is the volume knob motorized?
No
Volume knob? What volume knob?
Hi Hans.
Great review, as always. I recently got my hands on this device and I am keeping it for tests in order to see if it fits my setup.
I have a couple of questions and hopefully you will be able to provide some feedback:
1. Can I use a bigger antenna (let's say from an Asus router)? This should boost the Wifi signal reception, correct? I don't have network cables in my room and Wifi is the only option.
2. I am using an ifi micro iDSD Black Label as DAC connected to an ifi PRO iCAN amplifier. Until now the DAC was connected to my laptop but between these 2 units I was already using an ifi iGalvanic 3.0 device and afterwards an ifi micro iUSB 3.0 reclocker. Question: should I try to use one of them (or both) and put them between the Stream S2 and ifi DAC?
Thank you in advance,
Andrei.
1 the antenna needs to be tuned to the frequency used.A longer antenna is not increasing the quality of reception unless it is designed for that frequency range.
2 no, that will most likely decrease the quality.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thank you so much for this valuable feedback.
My initial thought was to use a Mac Mini 2018 version only for Roon but, at least for the moment, I stopped at this device because I read on many forums that there are issues with sound on 2018 version Macs because of the T2 chipset.
The Stream Box S2 Ultra beats any computer when feeding a DAC over USB. Hands down. But I would not know what problems there are with 2018 Mac's. There have been driver issues since Apple has changed - improved? - the way audio is handled in MacOS.
Why would this be used over a small form factor media PC running streaming software? I am trying to understand it's function.
For it sounds so much better. This way you keep the noisy electronics inside a PC away from the audio. That produces a cleaner USB signal.
The noise generated by PC's as such is inaudible. But it lays a burden on audio circuits resulting in a harsh sound, sharp S-sounds and so on. I know nothing about headphones but I would be surprised if it wouldn't be audible on a decent headphone.
dam..! your music taste thumb up to that.
Nice Review, Hans can i ask a question? Connecting my ext hd with my music files to the usb input on the S2Ultra, can Roon on my laptop see it and play it, like if I had my ext hd connected to my laptop, as I do now ?
Maybe a stupid question, but I am not clear on this!
Thanks.
I don't have the Pro-Ject here anymore, so I can't try. But I have tried it with Volumio (Pro-Ject uses an OEM version of Volumio) and ran into access problems. In Volumio that might be adjusted since the user has access to the system over ssh. But that won't be the case with the Pro-Ject. Perhaps the best solution is to use a simple NAS, like the Synology DS119J that is around € 100 (without HD). You can have both the Pro-Ject and Roon index the music on the NAS and play music using the Pro-Ject software or Roon.
The Hans Beekhuyzen Channel thanks!
Is it possible to install other software?
Thank you!
Not on the Aries G1 but you can use it as a network bridge and use iTunes, Roon, DLNA or Spotify Connect to send music to the G1.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel I am asking about the Pro-ject Stream Box... Thank you!
Yes, since the Stream Box is ou can install other software. But I wonder if that's wise. I'm not going to help you for if you do it wrong, you will brick the Stream Box.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel of course.. I wouldn't ask for such a thing.... it's not simple to do!!
But since it's a very good piece of hardware as it seems it would be nice if the Linux community (Archphile, Volumio, Rune, MoOde .. etc) developed any updated images for it! Do you know what version of MPD is it running?
Thank you again!
O, you can use standard images. BTW it already uses a luxury version of Volumio so there is nothing to gain from MoOde or Rune. But if you do want to switch software you have to flash the internal storage (it doesn't use a MicroSD card). Again, I wouldn't, Volumio works fine, is versatile and does all that the standard Volumio does (with the exceptions of third party add-ons which generally aren't great).
Is this streamer MQA ready?
Any streamer that is bit-perfect is 'MQA ready", and this one is.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thank you Hans. I guess MQA ready really just applies to DACs. Sorry for the ignorant question... hopefully your reply helps others. I bought a Topping MQA DAC and this unit only does proper MQA processing from its USB input. So with typical streamers like BS Node 2i or Cambridge CXN they have SPDIF and optical out, no USB, so still can't hear proper MQA using the stupid Topping. I guess they figure people who stream from non-computer sources don't value MQA.
@@golfnutintib1 I have almost the same issue, but in reverse. I am curious about MQA, but I have a Chord Qutest dac, which does not decode MQA. Which is annoying since there is a lot of it on Tidal.
Wow. goodness!
1:44 Hans intended 100 MegaBit not 100KiloBit
correct. Tnx
Hello Hans
Is it possible to set the volume output to fixed?
Yes, the output is always 100%, so bit perfect.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel thanks. I will try it soon. Maybe 15 days. :)
MQA able?
Yes
Better than the Magna Mano?
I couldn't do a direct comparison but I think it is.
Would that be the Mano ULTRA, on I2S ?