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Why in some instances does changing streamers makes a bigger difference?

Or, I should say, sometimes a better streamer can make a positive difference. I read about this YouTube video in another thread on Agon and felt it was consequential enough to deserve a separate consideration here.

https://youtu.be/k-nCEoRWHZ4?si=EB-YW-ZlwBC_cNQL

I found this perspective helpful in trying to explain both my limited experience with streamers, and more generally why things like cable changes and power management can be so important in digital music reproduction well beyond 1s and 0s.

Your thoughts and comments invited.

kn

knownothing
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
7,833 posts
 

I didn’t watch the video but…

Many reasons. To name a few - 

  • network implementation 
  • quality of internal clock when used with SPDIF
  • proprietary DSP
  • USB implementation 
  • Qualify of internal components 
  • Power supply 
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ghdprentice's avatar
ghdprentice
9,403 posts
 

 I started listening to the video... to much gesticulating and not fast enough information flow. 

I have owned a lot of streamers... from using PCs... modifying how they run, what software, using MacBooks on battery. Cheap streamers ( ~$300) up to the $22K streamer in my main system. 

First it depends on the quality and resolution of the rest of your system. The better it is, often the bigger the difference. 

The better a streamer the more it isolates you from the network: the noise and any latency or interruptions of network. I have had my streamer work flawlessly when I have not been able to switch browser pages on my iPad. 

Also, internally created noise and vibration, Great streamers have incredible power supplies... mine operates on battery that does not get charged when in use to drop the noise floor even more. 

All this adds up to dead silent, natural and detailed sound. A feat not easily accomplished in any high end audio component. 

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