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Improving on the stream of a combined streamer dac

I recently (foolishly) compared the streamed sound of my Electrocompanient

ECM 1 Mk II to internally stored digital downloads on the same ( ie not stored in my Small Green Computer server).  I was surprised how much better the downloaded files sounded.  Perhaps, I was naive to think otherwise.  So, I started looking at old audiogon threads to see if I could figure a quick and easy fix to up the sound of the streamer but found little that made sense or was affordable.  My question is whether I should continue to search, or if I should take it for what its worth and just listen to the music.  The rest of my digital front end:  Small Green computer server,  a Trendnet unmanaged switch and the ECM.  I use a Luna Orange ethernet cable from switch to ECM and a Purist Audio cable to the SGC.  Thanks for your advice and happy holidays to all.

rivinyl
rivinyl OP
213 posts
 

If anyone is still looking at this thread, the Snake River Boomslang has finally arrived.  Its arrival delayed by winter.  In any event, my first impression is quite positive.  It has brought an increase in detail and a sparkle to the high end.  Bass is a little lean, but Jonny suggests it will "fill out" over 72 hours or so.  I will update this post in a few days.  But definitely a step in the right direction.

ghdprentice's avatar
ghdprentice
9,465 posts
 

Yep, "sparkle ... and lean bass..." are the mark of an unbroken-in piece of audio equipment. 

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
7,942 posts
 

I use the Small Green Computer sonicTransporter i5 server.  Would an upgrade at that position have any significant impact? 
 

Server matters. Ethernet cables on the server matter as well. Set up a clean network feed for the server and you will hear an improvement in sound quality. 

rivinyl OP
213 posts
 

Perhaps a silly question.

I believe Toslink is optical?  If so would the optical cables used by devices such as the Sonore optical isolators work with a Toslink port on the DAC/Server?

mahler123
4,009 posts
 

@dsnyder0cnn 

 Your post was interesting.  Now forgive me if this sounds like an inexact analogy.

When USB became a popular interface it was quickly noticed that the asynchronous delivery-the music arriving in packets- was adversely affecting the sound due to timing errors.  Essentially this was solved by machines storing the packets and then reclocking them.  In fact there were CD players that would put about 10 seconds of music in a buffer before playing it, even before streaming dominated the landscape.

  Essentially what I see in your post is the buffering of streaming content.  Am I off base here?

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