@soix @tk21 Speaking of Darko, on the other end of the spectrum, here he calls the WiiM Mini "Outstanding" "Fantastic" & "Favorite streamer of 2022" all for $79.
https://darko.audio/2022/11/introducing-the-wiim-pro-network-streamer/
Do Streamer only devices really impact sound quality?
From a layman mindset, a streamer transmits electronic information to a dac via coaxial cable or other connection. The electronic information I believe is standardized for all streamers. That said, the streamer itself could not influence the sound quality heard by the audience. I think it is bit-perfect information coming across to the dac.
So for instance a Bluesound 2i vs Cambridge CXN V2 streamer should sound identical with the same connections and equipment used and of course same streaming service and content.
thoughts appreciated if I have this correct?
@soix @tk21 Speaking of Darko, on the other end of the spectrum, here he calls the WiiM Mini "Outstanding" "Fantastic" & "Favorite streamer of 2022" all for $79. https://darko.audio/2022/11/introducing-the-wiim-pro-network-streamer/ |
@navyachts Just as he did with the Sueezebox, he left out the qualifier “for the money,” but he did say it’s not on the level of better/pricier streamers. Just highlighting a few words from his review without context is misleading. |
@soix - I was just trying to point out that something outstanding and fantastic could be had for thousands of dollars less than the Innuos Zen Mk3. Didn't say it sounded better. |
If you are going to use usb to a dac (why anybody would is beyond me), then a server will probably make a difference. If you use Ethernet then IME they don’t and you don’t have any issues with jitter or clocking. It’s only with usb that you have to buy all the tweaks/gimmicks to try to get usb to sound good. For over a decade, the software that is used to read the data has more influence on sq than the hardware. Even when I used an external server years ago, the Auralic Aries, I preferred the sq when I used the Lumin software to access the Aries. Same goes for iTunes, pure music, amarra, audirvana, and Roon. |