Estimates today show that a worldwide figure is closing in on 1 billion streaming music users, which is expected to double in several years. “Streaming,” here, in its most technically challenging form, usually means listening to music as its digital bits are sent over the internet to you in real-time from somewhere else (far away servers from Qobuz, Tidal, Spotify, for example), versus, playing a digital music file sitting on your hard drive, or using a CD transport which sends the digital directly to your DAC.

In higher-end audio systems, a dedicated computer called a “streamer” has the job of continuously pulling in the digital stream of a music track over the internet and passing it on hardwired (USB, for example) into your DAC in a format (such as PCM or DSD), bit-perfect, which then converts it into analog. A FLAC file (PCM), or a DSF file (DSD) (for example), is streamed in, and its metadata (artwork, etc.) is extracted from its “wrapper,” all the while ensuring a bit-perfect transfer without error of the PCM/DSD stream, and with minimal distortion (at least that is the goal).

That is easier said than done—the above is a simple overview. That is why some streamers are better than others. There is also a crucial step of “re-clocking” (re-timing) that needs to be carried out to get rid of timing errors (jitter)—because this is music playing in real time. The re-clocking step often takes place in the DAC, after some buffering, but often beforehand, also, in the streamer (no harm in doing it more than once). In addition, proprietary software (such as Roon Labs, Audirvana, and so on), is usually needed in this chain, which also has the job of visually presenting the music to you (e.g., using your iPad to choose music for play, graphically see, organize, and construct playlists, etc.).

We do not have to deal with such complex issues when emailing a simple PDF document. But imagine that if, in real-time, as the PDF document file travels to you bit-by-bit, you had to read it immediately sentence by sentence; then, you would need the arriving order of the sentences/words to be correct; the order of the incoming bits would be crucial.

With that in mind, I present here a review of a unique, high-end music server: the Infigo Audio IS-1 Streamer Cryogen version (USD 8750). It is the higher end of two IS-1 models, the other is called the Signature (USD 6250) (no Roon, less functionality than the Cryo). The Cryogen model has a Roon Core, 2TB of internal SSD for a music library, and a cryogen-treated USB output port, among other things.

It can also run Audirvana Server, Roon Endpoint, HQPlayer NAA Endpoint, and UpnP Endpoint, meaning it can run essentially anything. (The Signature does not run Roon, but can run all the others mentioned.) Many thanks to Hans Looman (CEO/Founder of Infigo Audio) for kindly sending me a review sample.

The Cryogen is a dedicated streamer hardwired to the ethernet using an optical fibre cable connection (only). (This is distinct from TOSLINK and its applications.) Such a connection is not only fast, but immune to EMI and RMI noise because optical signals use light pulses instead of electrical currents (over metal wire), and they also prevent ground loops. As stated on the Infigo website:

“The gigabit fibre optic isolated network connection improves audio quality by eliminating network noise and jitter. This separation between the ‘dirty’ network and the clean audio chain ensures that RF and EMI interference, as well as high-impedance leakage currents from network devices, do not degrade the audio signal. As a result, digital music reproduction is cleaner, quieter, and more transparent, providing a more natural and lifelike sound experience.”

A tiny external “fibre transceiver” comes with the unit that hardwires with an ethernet cable to your network connection on one side and the Cryogen on the other side with a supplied thin blue-coloured optical cable. (Such transceivers are widely available by a variety of manufacturers, and are not highly expensive.)

The Cryogen then connects to your DAC directly with a USB connection. You can use your USB cable, but the Croyogen unit comes with an Infigo Audio “Cryogen Series” high-end cable. Be sure to use the lower (audiophile-grade) USB connection on the back of the unit; the other one is for regular USB tasks such as connecting an external drive to move files, etc.

There is no separate remote control device or a monitor; such are not needed. A simple local web-based (wireless) connection (http://infigostreamer.local) from a phone, iPad, or computer is used to set things up or to make changes; all 5 different choices (Roon, etc., mentioned earlier) on the Cryogen showed up there. Just click on which one you want.

The web connection even allows one to set the brightness level of the unit’s (blue, slim vertical) front panel light, anywhere from off up to a high level; it is convenient at night. Once the Cryogen is set up, you can use a remote app (such as Roon Remote, Audirvana Remote, etc.), to log into your Qobuz/Tidal account, and then play/control your music.

The unit automatically updates the firmware (over the internet connection) when needed.

How does the Cryogen look?

The Cryogen is fascinating to look at (visitors are drawn to it) because of an Infigo tradition shared with all of their products: The top of the unit is a see-through glass cover showing off the serious electronics and engineering inside, including the internal linear power supply’s toroidal transformer, in a relaxing blue light, and some small blinking lights when the internet is connected properly (blinking is a good sign). I regularly witnessed that glass cover tradition when reviewing the Infigo Method 6 Stereo amplifier.

Otherwise, the case is made from elegant silver-coloured aluminum on the front, with black on the sides and back. Unlike an inert-looking NAS (network-attached storage), the Cryogen can proudly be displayed up front in your audio system.

The Cryogen is relatively small and light: 28 cm (W) x 10 cm (H) x 28 cm (D), and 5.5 kg

The front has no controls/buttons of any kind, just the blue light mentioned earlier.

The Infigo “logo” (no letters/words), is the unique collection of indented slim metal bars etched into the front panel that resembles music volume levels. It is found on their other products as well; a nice reminder that it is a music-related device.

The back contains, on the left, the power on/off switch, followed by a fuse and a power cord input. On the right are two USB connections (audiophile-grade/regular) followed by the optical connection.

Sapphires anyone?

To isolate the streamer from external vibrations, the Cryogen has four footers, which are disks that you attach with (3) small ball bearings between. Instead of standard stainless steel bearings, the Cryogen model comes with beautiful blue sapphire gems (yes, real ones). You attach them (patiently/carefully) when you set up the unit; they come in small velvet sacks and are pre-sized to be equal. I did not experiment with swapping them out for stainless steel ones for a sound comparison; attaching the bearings is a bit dicey—I did not want to be chasing after rolling sapphires in my home!

Specifications

Connection to the internet: Optical fibre ethernet connection only, with ultra-low jitter reclocking. The Fibre media receiver has a dedicated linear analog power regulator for an ultra-low noise floor.

Connection from streamer to DAC: USB (only)

CPU: Intel Alder Lake N305 Octa Core processor, max 3.8 GHz, 6 Mb CPU Cache, 32Gb RAM, 2Tb NVME SSD music drive

Power supply: 100W fully regulated low noise linear power supply

USB output port: Dedicated cryogen treated

System Software: Audio-optimized minimal Arch Linux, each of the music processes is running in a dedicated core at a fixed frequency of 2GHz to ensure non-interruption.

For the Roon Core, the processes such as Raat Server, Roon Appliance, etc, are each running in a dedicated core as well

My Use

I mostly used Roon, later experimented a little with Audirvana (superb sound but its interface was difficult for me to use; I ended up sticking with Roon, mostly), and as reference equipment: Mojo Audio Mystique X SE DAC, Mojo Audio Deja Vu Music Server, PS Audio BHK Signature Preamplifier, Audio by Van Alstine M750 Monoblock Power Amplifiers, Alta Audio Aphrodite Loudspeakers. I also used (review forthcoming) the Infigo Audio Method 4 DAC, which Looman sent along with the streamer for my perusal. Finally, I briefly checked things out using several other USB DACS to see how it might affect their sound.

Overall thoughts

Right from the start, I noticed a significant improvement in sound quality using the Cryogen: it was clearer and quieter, the soundstage was more focused, the timbre of instruments was more uniquely defined, and second and third harmonics were more appreciable. I was particularly drawn to singers singing in harmony (Simon and Garfunkel, for example; see below for that and other music examples). But at the same time, the essential sound character of a DAC was not disturbed: Full-bodied was still full-bodied, earthy was still earthy, warm was still warm, and clinical was still clinical. But the musicality was at a new level. My reference DAC (Mojo Audio Mystique) benefited from this unforgettably.

Moreover, the Cryogen was fast at playing music once selected for play: Roon, for example, was unusually fast in playing, and sounded stellar.

Music

The Beatles, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. (Deluxe Anniversary Edition, 2017). Qobuz (24/96).

The Cryogen presented this classic as a beautiful, full-bodied tapestry, rich and complex with intricate details. One’s attention is constantly challenged by one part of the soundstage or another with the striking array of instruments and special effects wonderfully captured by the Cryogen. Some (even The Beatles themselves) have suggested that some of the Beatles albums are better heard in mono (and I agree); however, this creative, mind-provoking, and innovative album is the opposite.

Simon & Garfunkel, Live From New York City (Live at Lincoln Center). (Released in 2002, recorded in 1967). Qobuz (16/44.1). This is a treasure of a live recording (historically and musically); the two singing with just an acoustic guitar and as an exceptional harmonious union. “The Sound of Silence” and “Feeling Groovy,” in particular, seemed to have a new life through the Cryogen; even the audience in the background, so distinctly heard, adds to the musical effect.

Chick Corea Trilogy 3 (Live), “Scarlatti: Sonata in D Minor K9”. (2020). Qobuz (24/96).

This was the last tour of this extraordinary ensemble; Corea died in 2021.

This piece starts more classical, like Scarlatti intended, and then, about halfway through, moves to a jazz piece. At that point, the percussion (Brian Blade on drums) becomes deceivingly complex, and in particular, the lingering cymbals, with second and third harmonics, are superb sounding, so natural through the Cryogen. I felt like I was sitting on the drummer’s throne.

That motivated me to listen to my all-time favourite piece of theirs, where Blade’s drumming is more prominent, with his complexity, and sensitivity to the others is more up front, and his improvising with the other two (Corea on Piano, Christian McBride on Double Bass) helps to show off the best in all of them: “Piano Sonata: The Moon (Live)” from the album Trilogy (Live). (2013). Qobuz (24/96). The Cryogen revealed this with more emotion than I have ever heard before, the harmonics again constantly keeping me riveted to the sweet spot of my couch so I would not miss any of it.

Summary

Whatever your favourite (high-end) USB DAC is, the sound quality will most likely significantly improve using the Infigo Audio Method IS-1 Cryogen Streamer. I was stunned at the improvement from the DACs I tried. It does not colour the character of a DAC; instead, it invigorates it, bringing out its best qualities by clearing out the weeds in the forest. Very highly recommended.

Further information: Infigo Audio