Music Streamer Quality


This may be a dumb question but does the quality of a music streamer ultimately affect the sound? So here's some detail. I currently have a Sonos music streamer fed into a Simaudio Moon 300D dac. In the interest of having higher quality sound I could upgrade the dac or I could buy a dac with streaming capability such as the Simaudio 280D. I'm looking at a R2R ladder dac but would have the same Sonos feeding it. Does that make more sense than something like the Moon device? I appreciate an comments.
128x128falconquest

Showing 8 responses by falconquest

That has been my issue jond, there is so much to absorb! I thought if I could combine both devices into one then I not only eliminate one device (and the related cables) but also have perhaps a little better synergy. Anyway, just trying to figure out which direction to go.
I checked out the Ayre, both the Codex and the QB-9 but unfortunately I need multiple inputs. streamer, tv, & Oppo.
Thank you kendrick,
I had pretty much decided on the W4S Sonos upgrade until your comments so I will do some more research. I do use a ifi SPDIF iPurifier between the Sonos and the dac but have not switched out the power cord. The entire front end of my system is powered through a BPT balanced power unit.

I am still researching dacs and have somewhat narrowed it down to the Holo Audio level 3 Spring dac, the Soekris dac 1541 or the Denafrips Ares. The R2R design intrigues me.
BTW, I have been communicating with another member who says he could not get the Soekris dac to work properly with his MicroRendu so I guess one has to watch out for compatibility issues.
Any sense of how the MicroRendu compares to the Auralic Aries Mini? The latter seems to be quite highly regarded also. I get what you're saying about the upstream component so I will focus on that for now. One thing I have to say for Sonos is the interface is incredibly simple and stable. As for power issues, I don't worry about power with the BPT in the system.
kendrick,
Here is the link to Soekris. They have four new models of their R2R dac coming out. With their top of the line unit dac 1541 selling for $1,190.00 I anticipate we'll be hearing more from them soon. I was pretty much set on the Holo Audio Spring until I learned about this. At less than half the price it's a tough decision. I have read a couple of reviews and discussed with another member that it is almost indistinguishable from the Holo. Definitely something to consider.

http://www.soekris.dk/products.html
Thanks kendrick,
I get it. It's the old "garbage in, garbage out" concept. Right now I am strongly considering the Holo Audio dac along with an Aurender streamer. Every review I read the the reviewer just raves about the Holo Audio unit. I'm guessing this combination should be pretty decent.
jmarshak, this was my original post. I ended up going with an Aurender N100H for a streamer and a Holo Audio Spring DAC, Kitsune edition. I couldn't be happier. I must say that 750D is a very nice piece of gear. Find an Aurender used here (there is an A10 listed) and you will be very satisfied with the results.