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.

To add to the comment from @goodlistening64 

I’ve tried the DDC combo with a few other streamers and DACs now. 
 

Merason DAC1 MK2

Hifi Rose 160 DAC

Silent Angel Munich streamer 

Lumin U2 streamer 

Audio Mirror Toubadour DAC V

Direct USB and direct optical from PC to DDC without a streamer 

 In all combinations the addition of the DDC was a clearly noticeable difference. 
However, the Audio Mirror Toubadour DAC V already has some DDC tech built in so it had the least improvement to the sound since it was already good to begin with. 
 

As far as streamers go, the Hifi Rose was a clear improvement vs the Lumin and the Silent Angel but the direct from PC route wasn’t too bad either. All in all I would say the DDC contributed the most improvement vs the streamers. I returned the Hifi rose DAC and sold the Hifi Rose streamer mostly to reduce rack space. 
 

Main Setup -

Pathos Synapse, Pathos Adrenalin, Lumin U2, Gaia DDC, Merason DAC1, Rega Aura phonostage, Rega NAIA turntable, Dali Epicon 8 speakers 

Office Setup -

Silent angel Munich, Toubadour V DAC, Gaia DDC, Gold Note 1175 amp, Gold Note 1012 tube buffer, Gold Note 1000 preamp, Focal Diablo Utopia speakers