Improving on the stream of a combined streamer dac

@cbowie88 If you get a new DAC and use the A6 just as a streamer ensure that the new DAC has async USB.  You will then get the full benefits of your new, higher quality DAC's clock and buffering.

I have expressed this elsewhere, but I am convinced, on technical grounds, that a great DAC with USB from an OK source component will beat a combo where the $$ were divided equally between the components.  My own digital setup is extreme, my DAC cost about 20x the source streamer/server.

Asynchronous USB ensures that the strobing of data into the DAC chip(s) is done by the DAC's clock. The source is just sending data, when requested, that is loaded into the DAC's FIFO buffer.  Any decent USB cable will work well as all it has to do is send data, NO timing is dependent on the USB transfer. My usual USB is a Cardas Clear (it sort of matches my Cardas Clear Reflection interconnects) but I switched it out for a 3 meter wire that (I think) came with an Epson printer.  Zero difference in SQ.  My system is very highly resolving (Esoteric K-01XDSE, LA4, XA 25, Rockport Atria II).it shows any differences very easily.

I²S is a totally different story, the cable is critical.

@rivinyl thanks so it sounds like the streaming is more of a smeared type of sound. Could be due to your network setup or the built in streamer.

Please try this - 

Figure out a demo track or two. Get a baseline with your current configuration. Then: Replace Luna from router to switch with old wireworld and use Purist from Router to streamer. The switch purist and wireworld to see what it sounds like with purist into switch and WW into streamer. This should give you a general direction as to what’s going. 
 

I used Purist CAT7 Luminist Edition into a streamer for quiet some time. It’s a decent cable. It does push the presence region forward slightly but has good clear presentation overall.
After auditioning Audience Hidden Treasure Ethernet cable I sold the Purist. I then bought thr Nucleus One and the two Wireword Starlight 10 Ethernet cables to connect EERO 6e Pro and Nucleus to switch. The new Starlight cables are really good. Not sure about the older series but I don’t think they will suck. 
 

Reason I dismiss Luna is like I said…tinned copper. That’s never an advantage in a high end system because it reduces conductivity - zero advantages in an audio application and especially with Ethernet where the signal is tiny. 

Sounds like a good plan.  I will get back to you with the results.  My recollection of the Wire World cable was it was a bit sterile sounding and a touch bright.  But its been several years since I last used them.  More to come, Appreciate the help.

The new Starlight 10 Twinax is active full bodied and warm sounding. I never tried the older WW Ethernet cables. 

Has anyone tried Silver ethernet cables?