Streamers rabbit hole

I will one day be a First Time Streamer, it will be a Source in conjunction with both Vinyl and CD.

After a reasonable period of investigation of hearing Streamed Content, I am yet to be totally sure, streamed content is a better source of Music, bit will give it top marks as a user interface.

When it comes to a Device to be used to Steam, I have struggled to find any model in my budget to push the model in the link of the Streamer of Interest position.

https://www.stereophile.com/content/teac-ud-701n-streaming-da-preamplifier

My own interest was drawn to this model after learning about an individual who I know and has been through the digital wringer for multiple years, having rolled endless digital sources and spent big doing this.

They are not quiet about their having now found a device they have adopted which they claim has ended their investigations into a Digital Source, where this model is their Holy Grail Source.

@soix I am quite familiar with the timing issue.  I added a reclocker to my system and heard no effect as a result.  That being said, a good DAC should  have a sufficiently large buffer that would make timing a non-issue.  

The big thing about all computers is that they copy bits perfectly.  Consider those streaming services you subscribe to.   The music files are transmitted to through at least 8 to 12 routers, likely across half the country from where you are.  Those bits get copied perfectly every time, thank in no small part to data transfer protocols like TCP/IP.  I can "tune in" Radio Swiss Jazz, which is literally on the other side of the planet from my home in Hawaii and feel 100% confident that that data I receive is accurate.  That you feel there are errors and sloppiness between your streamer and DAC, over an 18 inch cable is laughable.

@ghdprentice you sure have a lot of Hifi gear, just looked at the virtual thing. I am in bad need of a streamer and to make a decision is way hard for me especially when you get over the 10k area, why didn’t you go with a Playback designs set up?

I wish I knew the Aurender was the way to go. ..

That you feel there are errors and sloppiness between your streamer and DAC, over an 18 inch cable is laughable.

@russbutton  Well you stream through a PC to an old $450 DAC so no surprise you can’t hear differences. 🙄  And yes, you must be right and the rest of us are obviously just fooling ourselves. 🤣

@charles007100 

Well, you must go through a process that brings you to a conclusion you are comfortable with. I look at it as a funnel. You want to close in on the right component starting with the whole field, constantly narrowing down on better and a better choice.  

Often I will start with a survey of professional reviews... that would be Stereophile, The Absolute Sound, and HIfi+. The others are more consumer oriented and are of no use. Start with the product survey issues. Before one of these magazines will cover components they attend audio conventions and choose to review components that sound good. Professional reviewers, while not perfect will use standard high end audio terminology, publish the rest of their systems and experience. This has already narrowed your search down. Then it is best to audition lots of components that have been reviewed. Compare your impressions with their observations. Over time, you will start hearing house sounds.... most established companies have them. Like Burmeister ... sound spectacular, Luxman... they sound like they look trebly - detailed and analytical, ARC and CJ are warm, musical and natural, 

If you google: Playback designs stereophile review... you get a very mixed review of some of their products.  Not something I want to hear. I would not spend time considering it. Google "Aurender streamer, The Absolute Sound reviews. You will get several... same with Stereophile. 

But, you have to do what you have to do. There is no right way for everyone.