Digital Dilemma


I purchased an inexpensive Onkyo C-7030 CD Player more as just a transport, but also to use as a benchmark to compare to streaming music on-line. With intentions to get the streamed content to sound as good, if not better, than the CD player could muster.

After sitting my wife down for a listen (she has better ears than me) and playing Tidal, Quboz and then the same tracks on a CD, the CD was the clear winner every time. It also seems the CD playing without using the Gustard R26 DAC didn’t even sound all that much better than when played through the CD Player only, bypassing the R26. That doesn’t say too much for the R26 DAC or alternatively, it says a lot for the DAC in the CD Player!

I am using the R26 as the renderer via a LAN connection that is optically isolated. There are a few filters and adjustments on the DAC, but tweaking those still didn’t get the sound quality up to that of the CD Player.

A lot of you say you have achieved streaming that sounds as good as your analogue systems. What do you think, do I need a betted DAC?

128x128navyachts

@navyachts

A good all in one steamer/dac such as a Lumin T3 (used T2), the Aurender N200 or Hifi Rose RS150B all punch above…. (Alas, Aurenders do not play with Roon.)

 

I recommend Aurender N150 + Schiit Yggdrasil + Quboz  (I have an N100H). Very happy, play my records maybe once per year!

@wsrrsw @jallan - Thanks.

I've gotten a lots of advice here that goes from spending thousands of dollars on new equipment and cables to spending little on a new inexpensive streamer & a good USB cable to just beefing up my existing DAC with a new Master Clock. 

I'm confused...

I believe the 7030 uses a Wolfson DAC....considered one of the best bang for the buck DACs out there.  Been thinking about getting the 7030 to replace the dated JVC I've had for years.  I think you sold me OP!  Last time I looked it was $299 at Crutchfield.  Thanks for the write-up....