SQ Comparison of 3 streamers

Here’s a thought: different bit perfect applications can add different levels of jitter to a bit perfect data stream.  What is your DAC? Perhaps it’s susceptible to jitter?

@mdalton  Your assumption does not make sense to me. If everything else is equal and properly controlled (fixed volume no crossfade, etc., as mentioned before), is the Volumio app bit-perfect? Yes. Is QC bit-perfect? Yes. When comparing sound quality between the native app and QC, the downstream DAC remains the same.  I don’t get what you are trying to say.

I have micro DAC and D90 III Discrete.  Both pair very well with Rivo+ and Veritas cables, sound smooth, pin-point articulated with wide, tall and deep SS.  But with T8 is noticeably different story.

it isn’t unusual for higher priced, higher end components to sound less musical if the design focus was on resolution. You’d get a more resolving, but more analytical presentation. 

@audphile1 I understand your point. Since you’ve experienced many high-priced components, could you mention a few that you feel are technically impressive in resolution but less musical?

if i, QC coder, write less efficient code for taking a file from Q and moving it to the DAC than my competitor at Volumio, it is at least theoretically possible that my code adds jitter that the Volumio coder didn’t.  Similarly, if my code uses more CPU power, it is also possible, I think, that my code could generate more electrical noise.  No idea if this is the case, but it’s at least possible.  Again, would be helpful to know what DAC you’re using. 

 

 

lanx0003 OP

1,704 posts

02-18-2026 at 08:43am 

it isn’t unusual for higher priced, higher end components to sound less musical if the design focus was on resolution. You’d get a more resolving, but more analytical presentation. 

@audphile1 I understand your point. Since you’ve experienced many high-priced components, could you mention a few that you feel are technically impressive in resolution but less musical?
 

@lanx0003 

Chord Hugo TT2 DAC, Simaudio Moon amps, Benchmark DAC3. Cables - Synergistic Research, some Nordost, Shunyata Alpha. i’ve heard high end Linn digital gear that hurt my ears. Uber details is not my game. 

@machine7 thanks for this info!  When I upgrade my components, this is super helpful

@mike4597 have you tried the wiim ultra in the main system and compared to the Stream 1?