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Streamer v DAC - which is more important?

I know there have been other posts on this topic but I decided to add my recent experience. I have used a Cambridge Audio CXN but as I have indicated in previous posts, while happy with the SQ, I am totally frustrated with the apps. I recently bought an Auris BluMeHD for use with my second system but decided to ditch the CXN and hooked up the Auris to my Pure Audio Lotus 5 DAC which allowed me to use the Tidal app ( also very poor but better than the Cambridge apps).  Now either I'm going mad or my hearing is defective ( which my audiologist friend would likely dispute) but I could hear no difference between the $95 Auris and the $1000 CXN when played through the external DAC. This leads me to believe that the DAC is way more important than the streamer, unless perhaps you spend mega bucks on the streamer. Has anyone else experimented comparing a cheap streamer with a more expensive one when played via the same external DAC?
128x128mazian
dsotm073's avatar
dsotm073
6 posts
 
Slightly off topic, but have you ever thought about using a different app for your CXN?

I have used Bubble UPnP for Android and I think it's light years better than the stock Cambridge Audio app. 
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
3,817 posts
 
Without question the Dac quality for the music is processed here 
it is much better to pay  to 1st buy a good digital front end 
then when you can afford it then buy a good streamer.
your computer can do most of the streamers function 
and a good usb cable is essential . I have  listened to  5 of the best under $1500, and Final touch audio was roughly half that and the most natural I have heard .
mazian's avatar
mazian OP
342 posts
 
Is Bubble UPnP Android only as I can't find it on the Apple App store?
djones51
4,947 posts
 
I don’t think Bubble Upnp is on Apple. 
rbstehno
1,398 posts
 
The biggest flaw in any setup is using usb for a number of reasons:
usb is flawed and that’s why you see many many tweaks/gadgets to try to make it better;

if you use usb/toslink/coax, then it requires you to place the computer (streamers are just a computer) in the audio room which isn’t a good idea for many reasons;

get the best fpga based dac that has a network interface and use an existing computer running Roon and you will have a nice sounding system without all the bs/hype that goes with separate streamers. The dac is the more critical piece to get right
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