Oh, and by the way, I’d ensure my streamer output 24/192 over USB or SPDIF and forget about Toslink because BL50 and 90 can only accept up to 24/96 on Toslink. For the full digital beans, you need USB or SPDIF, according to the technical sound guide.

I have quite a list of expensive boxes on the end of my BL90s

Auralic G2 stack (Aries streamer, Vega DAC and the Leo clock)

Melco N1 music server

Melco D1 ripper

you can argue merits of each and why all you want. I was drawn both the Aries and the Melco can drive DLNA across the house, with existing NL products, I wanted something that could be moved away from B&O if required and was not going to be subject to Firmware changes that could invalidate one product with another. 

Solid units and a fair amount of coin spent. I would have so much preferred B&O develop their own hi-fi/hi-res player comparable for the BL90 because the market is there (Naim, NAD, AURALiC, Aurender +++]. No doubt it would have saved me thousands if they could have been bothered 

Sorry for the multiple posts. I can’t figure out how to edit previously submitted posts. 😠

I just wanted to share this article, which I found helpful in my research. The chart at the bottom is particularly useful.

Very good point, and reflects my thinking.

While I have bought 50s, I can foresee a day when B&O speakers are all I own from them. 

In that regard I've gone for a Linn streamer / DAC - this takes care of my music (streaming, NAS music) and radio, and gives me Roon as a UI option. And yes, in a similar to yourself, this reduces my reliance on B&O for everything.  

And again to echo your point, my Linn streamer / DAC was not cheap, but it sounds excellent,  and if B&O made an audio source that fully matched the 50s (90s) capability, that would probably be similarly expensive.

Anyway, if the OP is not overly fussed by the subtleties of different musical presentations, then I'm not sure it makes sense spending many thousands on streamer and DACs.

Mr 10Percent wrote:

I have quite a list of expensive boxes on the end of my BL90s

Auralic G2 stack (Aries streamer, Vega DAC and the Leo clock)

Melco N1 music server

Melco D1 ripper

you can argue merits of each and why all you want. I was drawn both the Aries and the Melco can drive DLNA across the house, with existing NL products, I wanted something that could be moved away from B&O if required and was not going to be subject to Firmware changes that could invalidate one product with another. 

Solid units and a fair amount of coin spent. I would have so much preferred B&O develop their own hi-fi/hi-res player comparable for the BL90 because the market is there (Naim, NAD, AURALiC, Aurender +++]. No doubt it would have saved me thousands if they could have been bothered 

So who makes such a streamer? Someone mentioned Chord in the UK once.

I can find PS Audio, Naim, Classé, Chord, Cambridge, Marantz, Yamaha and a few others over here.

Presumably you also need to think about where you're music is coming from, and how you want to control it (i.e what UI)

Which streaming service do you use? And do you (also?) use locally stored music?

Again, if I was primarily a Deezer user and nothing else, I'd stick with a Core / BeoLab 50s / B&O app / Halo.

But in my case I am not, and want to use Roon to manage / play all my music, be that from  Tidal / Qobuz / DLNA local music.........of course the Roon route and its requirement for something running the Roon server, means its not for everyone. 

MichaelFrilund wrote:

I can find PS Audio, Naim, Classé, Chord, Cambridge, Marantz, Yamaha and a few others over here.

Streaming... Deezer probably. Also getting an SACD, probably a Marantz SA10 connected with a SPDIF to the streamer.

Almost forgot! Someone recommended to have the streamer on full volume, let the amp or loudspeakers to adjust the volume I hear. Something about the quality being better on full volume. No joke, came from a serious brand but can't remember which one.

Given that the Lab 90s/50s have their own inbuilt DAC, I would opt for a streaming transport rather than a streamer with a DAC. Different streaming transports certainly do not sound the same, just as with CD transports (even different B&O models produce slightly different results), so you should audition a few options at home. I'm currently using an Auralic Aries Femto and I recently auditioned an Aries G2.1 and a dCS Network Bridge. The G2.1 had a much more dynamic and exciting presentation of the music, whilst the Network Bridge – although, I suspect, perhaps more accurate to the source material – had a leaner and less upfront style. In the end, I decided to wait until Auralic launches the G3 and upgrade then.