streaming and audiophile stereo

Variability of posts on this thread point to the complexity of streaming, so many paths to quality sound. I agree, don't worry about MQA, plenty of high quality streams available without it.

Its been my experience streamer is most important component in streaming chain, this followed by dac, then network. I consider streamer and dac combo analogous to amp/speaker as far as integration concerned. You want streamer's most optimal out/rendering port to match with dac's optimal in port, ie, if usb is streamer optimal port, usb should be dac's optimal input. This info can be found in manufacture literature and reviews, generally looking for optimal clocking and noise reduction on both streamer and dac ports.

What constitutes a streamer nowadays can be very confusing. Basically, a streamer stores music player library, processes music player software and renders an output to dac. Some streamers add things like on board storage for local files, dacs, preamp. Streamers can also be used as servers only, in this case a second streamer is added, first streamer only stores music player library, process music player software, second streamer does the rendering. 

Determining best streamer for one's need is wholly subjective, for instance, if one doesn't have large collection of cds for ripping, local storage superfluous. same goes for dac and preamp capabilities.

@russbutton, you have a pretty decent analog rig.  If you are happy with your digital setup, then no one can argue that.  When you compare various digital devices in your system and conclude none are better than what you have, then that should be qualified with the statement, in your system.

Bits is bits is a greatly oversimplified viewpoint for digital audio.  Most of the posters on these forums have found digital audio to be a much more complex and sometimes bewildering hobby.  It's better to keep an open mind but still be somewhat skeptical when someone is trying to sell you something.  Meanwhile, many of us are hobbyists eager to share our knowledge.

As for the depreciation of expensive audio gear- pick your poison.  Expensive cars depreciate 15% per year on average- well, so do cheap cars.  Expensive wine is worth nothing once you drink it.  High end audio gear tends to hold its value after its initial depreciation.  If you are focused only on cost then great sound will continue to elude you.

@russbutton congrats on putting together a satisfying system with an equally satisfying digital setup and doing so for very reasonable money. Sometimes I wish I had never ventured down the digital rabbit hole. There is amazing sound to be found down said hole but I can sure imagine the small vacation home I could have owned had I not. Best wishes and thanks for the reply.

@tonywinga When I say "bits is bits,"  I mean that while the information is in the digital domain, it is the same regardless of the platform it is on.  So whether the digital data is on a laptop PC, Raspberry Pi or exotic streamer, it's still just digital data.

The secret sauce is always in the D/A conversion.  I have no doubt that there are benefits to newer technologies and there may be audible differences.  But I think that by now, it's all pretty good.  Certainly some pricey designs will be priced far higher than they should, but that's marketing and let the buyer beware.

One of the biggest problems for manufacturers is that they not only compete with each other (and China), they also compete with their own gear on the used market. PS Audio made a big deal out of the DirectStream DAC as the work was not done in firmware, as virtually all other DAC devices do, but was done in an EEPROM and that they would update the software from time to time.  This was supposed to make it future proof.  And of course they have superceded the DirectStream with something new.

I think there is far more to be concerned about in the recording label and who does the mastering.  You can only playback what someone else has mastered.  Because the very vast majority of music listening is done on earbuds, recording engineers are mastering the music for the best sound you can get on earbuds.  This is why you hear about people saying that digital recordings have less dynamic range than vinyl, which is a totally silly statement.  It's in the mastering.

I think it's great when people have the money to drop on expensive gear, but the most bang for your buck will always be in loudspeakers, so that's where I feel your most bucks should go.  My Peachtree DAC does a decent job.  I'm sure there are things out there that would perform better, but at what price?

@russbutton

You are correct that bits a bits. File transfer protocols will assure you that a file in one place is exactly that, bit for a bit,  the same as in an another location. Also, the DAC is a very important component of your system. However, it is also true that the streamer is just as important as the deck, or any other component.

I have extensive experience with, for instance, a MacBook Pro, running on batteries, optimize for streaming, the Aurender,, and 100, the Aurender, and 10, and the Aurender W20SE, all using the same excellent quality DAC. Each in sequence sounds very significantly better than the previous one. This is true either through USB connection or through other digital connections. There are a number of reasons for this, including noise suppression, isolation, and I’m sure many others. But they sound very different, and the better the streamer, the better the sound..