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Has Digital Audio Tech Plateaued - Is It Safe To Come Out Now?

I’ve been focused on analog for the last couple years with only an occasional glance toward anything digital.
 I could be mistaken but does it seem like the onslaught of technologically NEW digital hardware  and media has stalled? We’re seeing a move back to DAC technology that was prevalent in the 80’s, some folks say it sounds better (R2R)?
People have always questioned whether or not higher sampling rates actually improve things, beyond a certain point, so do we need more bits and higher frequency sampling beyond the current state-of-the-art?
We’re seeing some companies incorporate 1950’s tube technology into 2020 hardware to try to make it sound.....dare I say it - less digital?
Streaming seems to have matured to the point that it is what it is. The big streaming services have a foothold, and I’m not hearing of any real pending innovation. In fact I read somewhere that MQA is no better than CD playback quality, hence we may not even be as developed as we think we are.
Server tech seems to have peaked - sure, there’ll be more storage, moderately better power supplies, slightly improved interfaces etc, but is there anything revolutionary on the horizon now that we’ve moved beyond the Mac Mini / PC hardware?

 I’m not saying there won’t be a continuous stream of new hardware, new gadgets, but is there any expectation that something new is likely to advance us beyond where we’re at WRT sound quality?
Please note the question marks in the above, I’m not stating this is the way it is, I’m asking those of you who are closer to it for your thoughts on where it’s all at.

The point being - is it safe to crawl out from under my pile of moldy album covers from the 70’s and invest into current digital, without the fear of needing to retool in a year or two?
Thoughts?


rooze
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
6,180 posts
 
@rooze,

I hear you on the ‘gap’. N100H is a very nice streamer. Before I suggest an upgrade path, let’s make sure we have squeezed every last ounce of goodness from N100. May I know what DAC you are currently using and cables associated with your digital setup. 
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mike_in_nc
1,250 posts
 
Digital can sound really good now, but it will never sound exactly like analog. IMO (1) digital is at a level where a purchase now won't be obsolete in a couple of years, and (2) a major reason to use digital is its wider selection of music. For those content with the relatively small and aging repertoire on LP, avoiding digital makes sense; for those interested more widely in current music, embracing digital is a necessity.
rooze's avatar
rooze OP
685 posts
 
@lalitk 

Thanks. I'm living with a Sim Audio Moon 380D. It does not have the optional streaming interface and due to limitations with my internet connection, streaming isn't something I'm all that interested in. Certainly, a worthwhile step up in DAC performance would be nice, and/or a better server or combined unit (Ripper/Server/DAC).
I've played around with different cables and have a Synergistic Research SPDIF which I use between my Cambridge 851C (used as a transport), and various USB cables (dB Labs the Essential in use presently).

@mike_in_nc  Thanks for the comments, #1 in particular.

I do have quite a large digital library, around 5-6TB, and mostly it's music I'd like to spend more time with, but whenever I sit down for a 'session', I always end up switching to vinyl after a half hour or so of digital. It's not that it sounds bad, or that I expect it to be the same as vinyl, it's just that I don't get much listening time these days so I prefer to make the most of it when I do.

I've spent time with a few interesting DACs in the past year and wrote a review of the Audio Mirror Tubadour III SE for my blog (a nice unit but I preferred my 380D). I just don't know if things are 'stable' enough in the digital world to sink a chunk into new gear. 

Cheers
Rooze
cal3713's avatar
cal3713
1,421 posts
 
@rooze No offense meant, but it feels like you already know the answer to your question. 

Your opening question implied lack of experience, but you've already made a real investment into the digital domain and as you are aware, the next step up will probably cost you all of the $10k.  I feel like there's a big hole between $2500 and $8,000 where many pieces across the spectrum all succeed in parallel, but slightly different, manners.  Who prefers what is totally dependent on system matching. 

And then above $10k, obviously you're into another league, but again one where price is likely to be very weakly correlated with performance above baseline.  By all accounts, the MSB Select II will sound wonderful for the rest of your life ( https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/msb-select-ii-arrival.23302/), but who knows about the many many options below that...
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