Streamers rabbit hole

It would be helpful if others chimed in. It is a bit of a mystery to me as to why a DAC is unable to "properly" clean up an incoming signal and given help from a DDC device, they sound better. 

@goodlistening64  I found upgrading even to a budget iFi Zen Stream (with their iPowerX power supply) was a huge upgrade over a computer, and inserting a Denafrips Iris DDC and going i2S into my Musician Pegasus R2R DAC was again a significant improvement.  With Amazon, Crutchfield, etc. offering low/no risk returns there’s really no excuse for you not to at least try a decent streamer. 

@goodlistening64  I am aware of reclockers for digital connection between a PC and a DAC.  I run Linux on a dedicated PC, with JRiver as the music manager.  I dropped $200 on a reclocker and didn't hear a difference.  

I've never heard a difference between USB cables either.  Bits is bits.  If you're not getting the same bit stream with different cables, then you've got a bad cable.  If you've ever done any assembly language programming, you'd realize that bit copying is extremely reliable.  Sorry.  Bits is bits.

Two streamer brands to add to your list - Lindemann Woodnote Solo Streamer with balanced outputs or Volumio Primo Streamer. If you want the best Volumio streaming system then look at the Volumio Rivo+ with their Lineo5 linear power supply and Volumio Preciso DAC. Lots of YT video reviews on the Volumio options.

I've never heard a difference between USB cables either.  Bits is bits.  If you're not getting the same bit stream with different cables, then you've got a bad cable.  If you've ever done any assembly language programming, you'd realize that bit copying is extremely reliable.  Sorry.  Bits is bits.

@russbutton  You’re totally ignoring the timing of the bits (among other things), which is not an issue with computers but is critical in audio.  But you hang onto your “bits is bits” mantra while the rest of us know, and hear, better.