Sound quality differences in streamers


Can there be sonic differences between moderate and high priced streamers when used for streaming only. I will not use or engage an onboard DAC or any other feature, just stream from Tidal or Amazon to DAC. If the unit is just transferring zeros and ones to a DAC can there be differences in say a $300 WiiM and a $3000 dSC streamer? Thanks

kckrs

I will say 100% there is a difference! I have had a few and finally settled on a small green computer/Lumin setup. That is what I liked best. Not saying this is the end all, but I could tell very NON-Suttle differences between streamers. This was what I liked and just stayed with it. I found what I liked and stopped spending anymore on it. 

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@lanx0003 

“The real question is: where does the point of diminishing returns begin?”

At what price point? Also, “diminishing returns” is subjectively defined by each owner/listener, for their own system. IOW, not a stationary target.

That said, in my system, the $6,000 Sonore Signature Rendu SE Deluxe (streamer only) provides significantly more engaging results than the $1250 Metrum Acoustics Ambre, $7,500 Antipodes DX Gen 3, or $7,000 Mojo Audio Deja Vu that came before it.  Keep in mind, the Deja Vu and Antipodes DX are server/streamers.  Of those, the Deja Vu came sonically closer than the others to the sound of the Sig. Rendu SE but, even then, the Sig. Rendu SE Deluxe clearly sounds better to me. A good comparison would be against the $8,000 Innuos Pulsar (streamer only).

 

In the past I would have said no difference, but after trying an N150 upgrade from a bluesound node 2, I realized there is a difference.  Not every room/person/system will reveal the difference, or even prefer the more expensive streamer.  I suggest you try the upgrade to hear for yourself and then decide based on your budget and any audio improvement.  

Go for the Wiim.  Ultra is great using it with an external DAC (MHDT StocKholm ii)