Leema Acoustics, the internationally respected Welsh hi-fi manufacturer has partnered with leading music server software company Innuos, to develop a streaming music server system.

The new Sirius is a hifi-grade streaming music server system that provides a high-performance solution for the storage and playback of digital music.  Developed in partnership with Innuos, Leema’s ex-BBC engineers have combined audiophile performance with the convenience of a UPNP/DNLA-compatible music server.

Sirius is the latest edition to Leema’s flagship Constellation range.  It features a raft of audiophile-grade components centred on a powerful server-grade main circuit board with a high-speed quad-core processor with up to 8 gigabytes of system memory.

The app-controlled server is available with huge storage reserves in two gigabyte increments up to an impressive eight terabytes. Sirius incorporates a high-performance TEAC optical drive for the one-time bit-perfect transfer of CD data to the hard drive.

Its straightforward operation makes digitising large music libraries simple. Sirius offers backup for CD audio, right up to lossless FLAC files and supports WAV, AIFF, ALAC, OGG Vorbis, AAC and MP3; USB 3.0 is available for audio backups.

A key feature of the Sirius is its high-quality DAC. The server benefits from an integrated asynchronous USB DAC based on a high-end ESS Sabre DAC chip and Xmos USB interface. The DAC supports 16, 24 and 32 bit-depths, from 44.1kHz up to 384kHz with DSD 64, 128 and 256 also supported. For consumers already invested in a high-end DAC, the Sirius’ ultra-low-noise USB output offers Class 1, Class 2 and DoP external connections. Balanced outputs via XLR and unbalanced outputs via RCA are also offered.

In a further nod to its audiophile credentials, Sirius benefits from a dual-Ethernet connection: one for routers and one for dedicated streamer connections. The device is compatible with a wide range of playback systems including: SONUS multi room; Naim Mu-so/Uniti; Denon HEOS; Squeezebox; Linn DS; Pioneer N-50A; Cambridge Audio CXN and Denon 720AE.

Further features include editable metadata and album art, support for Tidal, Spotify, BBC iPlayer and internet radio, plus simple importation from computers, USB and NAS drives. There’s also a three-way linear power with a dedicated supply for the DAC.

Price is £3995