SQ Comparison of 3 streamers

@lanx0003 

I agree with your assessment of the Volumio Rivo+.   I own a Rivo+ with a LPS for about one year, and I went from streaming from an old IPAD to streaming with the Rivo+ using the same DAC.   Compared to the IPAD, the Rivo+ was thicker, better bass, full Bodied, better imaging, etc...  Essentially, exactly what you reported.  I am using Qobuz.  The Rivo+ also presented my SACD & CD ripped lossless music files on a 1TB MicroSD similarly.   I have been ecstatic with the sound.  It happens to be the type of sound I look for. 

@lanx0003 

What connection was used between the streamer and the DAC?  What DAC?

I suspect NOT USB.  Is your DAC supports USB it would be interesting to repeat the exercise

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@hjdca  I am glad you enjoy Rivo+ as I do.  After upgrading the xlr IC and I2s cables (Veritas Magnus and Optimus), the sound was even taken to the next level and becoming more smooth and liquid (on a good recording).

Are you using a regular USB adapter for microSD? I think it’s a good idea because it will eliminate the cable. However, I would think the “quality” of the adapter also matters—correct me if I’m wrong. I use an SSD, and I’ve found the cable for the SSD also affects sound quality noticeably.

For jrareform,  I have not hooked up the Plus Pro to my main system, but I will try it as it will be easy to do.  Will do so next week and let you know how it sounds,

@retiredaudioguy  I used I2s primarily for both DACs I owned.  They are Harmony micro DAC and Topping D90 III Discrete.  I own Rivo+ for a longer time so I get to experiment with all ports except AES/EBU. (Rivo+ does not have optical out).  For T8 which I have returned after 30 days, I only get to try I2s and USB (for only short while). 

You probably know but allow me to repeat here once again that which port sounds better is not only dependent on streamer but also downstream DAC because USB is asynchronous vs synchronous for the rest of ports incl. I2s.  So, bet. USB and I2s, which port sounds better also depends on the clock and isolation quality of that particular port.  Some dac, such as my Laiv micro DAC, has provided users an option to choose between I2s clock and local clock inside the dac.  Then also some DACs, usually high-end ones, reclock the signal timing no matter which port signal is coming through (such as Berkeley Alpha I heard).

I don't recall I heard much difference between them but, on Rivo+, I think I2s sounds better to micro dac than usb slightly with better imaging.  BUT NO TONAL SHIFT.