I appreciate the 11 responses from fellow Goners in sharing you experience/opinions. Thanks for jjss49 for referring to your former posts that already touch upon similar discussion point although from a slight different emphasis. Being new to streaming, I am trying to understand whether different streamers indeed can produce sufficient different SQ when connected to the same quality DAC, if so what is the technical reason (not necessarily relating to the price/cost of streamer). .(In analogous to CD system, I do know that different transport can made a substantial difference when connected to the same DAC). I am not a physicist or acoustic/electronic engineer. However, from reading Goner Discussion Forum, I discovered that there are lot of technical talents/experts out there whom may be able to offer a rationale(technologic reason) why different streamers can provide different SQ. Based on response/opinion of audioguy85, my Roku should provide similar SQ as node 2i or other streaming devices since streaming is dependent on wifi, if I use Tidal as the source. However, yyzsantabarbara who commented in jjss49's previous post identified one specific technological point, " My understanding is better
streamers have lower analog noise transferred on the wire to the DAC", and suggested SystemOptique system as Fiber optical input would produce a cleaner SQ. I wonder if other Goners who have good understanding of streaming device can provide further technological understanding on what different streaming devices can offer to improve SQ. When I select a new streamer, I hope I can understand the reason behind it (not just based on price) and I am able to hear it when comparing.
How much difference in Sound quality can be expected from different streamers?
I would appreciate very much in obtaining advice on the SQ from different Streamers. I am currently using a good quality vintage DAC (Altis Reference) connecting to Roku 4 (using its Tosslink out to a simple coaxial converter which connects to the coaxial “in” of the DAC). When comparing the SQ of the exact same artist/music through first CD setup( CECTL0 connecting to the DAC) or second setup (Oppo 105 to DAC) vs ROKU 4 accessing Tidal Master level at 48KHz, both CD systems provided better SQ with CECTLO the best. I was reading with interest on the forum (4/2/2021) on DAC and found out that the SQ from different decent DAC does not appear to vary too much; the new DAC may offer connection convenience, but not necessarily SQ. More likely, different CD player or Transport can provide a more obvious difference in SQ than different DAC, like what I had experienced. Thus I am very interested to seek advice from those who had experience in comparing different streamers. Can high end streamers when accessing Tidal Master level produce much better SQ than Roku 4 if connected to my DAC(at sampling rate of 48KHz)? If so, which ones would you recommend?