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
That is exactly what I do with my second and third systems, by running Ethernet cables from mesh system satellites into Roon endpoints/streamers. Works great for background and/or party music. Never tried it for my main system but, based on the sound I get from the other systems, it may work fine in my main system too. |
@soix I would agree that non-data "noise" such as, say, SMPS noise can affect sound quality if and when allowed to enter the analog realm, if you will (usually meaning your DAC’s output section); but would you say that that noise can affect sound quality while within the digital realm, unless of course it is so extreme that it results in gross RW protocol failure? Trying to understand where you’re coming from. Thanks! |
The logical fallacies abound from our friends. “Anyone who’s compared a $400 streamer to a $2k+ streamer…” This is called the “appeal to authority” fallacy, and it’s not even a good authority. Note in my first post where I linked to a discussion where an audiogon member actually didn’t hear a material difference between a bluesound node and an Aurender W20 ($23k). So I guess the full appeal is to “anyone who’s compared a $400 streamer to a $2k+ streamer and agrees with me.”. lol!! |
I don't know, visit @mdalton 's virtual systems and you can see for yourselves that he's no dilettante. |
Yes I get it even digital audio is susceptible to noise, ok fine. So I’ll put it to you this way: when I dove deep into streamer search I ended up with the antipodes Oladra. I had the opportunity and privilege to spend as much time as I wished with it. I tested, tested, demoed, tested, and demoed, against my personal custom built pc. Same cables, dac, amp, cords, conditioners, volume settings, everything even balanced so as to make the testing process evenly balanced, no advantages or disadvantages on either device all ending to the tail of the chain to my Susvara. After weeks of testing, late nights, gallons of coffee and my favorite playlist consisting of 490 tracks coming out of roon, being mesmerized how sublime, beautiful, pleasant, and powerful emotional everything sounded. My findings were the Oladra sounded a 10/10, my custom pc 9.9/10 😁. Enjoy the 🎶. Susvara —> Viva Solista —> Fidelice RN Dac —> Oladra / custom PC |
