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Weakest digital link: DAC - Streamer - Server?

I am curious WHICH of the three is MOST important in digital playback? DAC, Streamer, or Server? I assume DAC is #1, but what about server/streamer?

 

Specifically, I have a Synology NAS which I can host ALL my music on, then using a good streamer play off it via Roon/Upnp, PLUS my streaming services.  Does it make sense to use a SEPARATE server JUST for my music? 

Like is there going to be MUCH difference between these setups?!

1. NAS (music server) --> Good Streamer (ethernet, Roon) --> DAC

2. Dedicated Music Server --> Same streamer (ethernet, Roon) --> DAC

3. Dedicated Music Server with streamer (digital out) --> DAC

 

I understand for SURE, if one connects a NAS USB out to streamer/DAC it will sound WORSE than dedicated music server with low noise components, BUT if I am sending the music over ethernet to a good streamer, WHY would a music server make ANY difference? The streamer would essentially take the same files off my NAS, as if would from Tidal and play in the same fashion... no?! 

WHAT am I missing?!

 

PS. I can also upgrade the NAS with linear PSU to lower noise, but once again, sending audio through ethernet shouldn't matter.

alexb76
chorus
976 posts
 

Your question, if i understand it correctly, is What factors influence

digital sound. 

It has been said that on a scale of 1-10.

CD = 10

File = 9

Streamed music= 7-7.5

If the above is accurate, streaming is already behind the eight ball by 25%.

Of the three you mention, the DAC is the first place to find improvement.

But just using Roon degrades the SQ.

And what about your Router line corrections?

Are you using fiber, coax or USB connections?

Please keep us posted on your progress!1

 

 

 

arafiq's avatar
arafiq
1,790 posts
 

@ja_kub_sz 

First I got an Innous Zenith MK3, then got a decent DAC (Musetec MH-DA005), now finishing it up with the Innuos Phoenix USB reclocker.

I was previously considering the Holo Audio May DAC as my next purchase, but the positive feedback for Mustetec on the other thread has me wondering if I should save my money and go with DA005 instead.

Hopefully you will share your impressions once you get the Phoenix USB reclocker. BTW, have you looked into PhoenixNET by any chance? There are folks who believe that it might result in more improvements compared to the USB reclocker.

havocman
350 posts
 

Jason Bourne I think you're quite wrong about that, anything under four figures won't sound very good at all and you're also wrong about transports they do sound different, that's why esoteric makes the best ones and everybody else is second and third

richtruss
163 posts
 

There are 4 elements to an excellent streaming setup. The Network, The Streamer, The Music Server, The DAC.

The network, streamer and DAC are the most important in equal measure. Skimp on any of these and you won’t get there.

The music server is a convenience device in my view. Pay more to get easy ripping and nice user interface and easy library management. Pay less if you’re more techie and can do a lot of manual file shifting. My music server is a Raspberry Pi with 2TB drive attached, it’ll sound the same as any other fancy server if you’ve got your other three elements right, in equal measure.

My system:

Network switch, network cables & RFI filtering - £3000

Streamer - £3000

DAC - £3000

Very manual techie Music server - £100

 

djones51
4,947 posts
 

I'll stick to answering your question.

guess my next question is, WHICH streamer/DAC, under $2K, would do the job best playing files off my NAS PLUS having Tidal/Spotify Connect?

Cambridge Audio CXN v2,  there are others more expensive.

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