Streaming resolution

I really hate the Marantz label.  Hopefully my DAC holds out.  I have 2 multichannel systems in my home to go with the 2 channel and I like listening to SACD in 2 channels as well.  Just because they can be played in more than 2 channels doesn’t mean that they have to

@edinphiladelphia 

I'll spare you the gory details that I may have blurted out in another forum, but I'm at a point where everything I stream, provided the recording is half-decent, sounds fabulous

Glad to hear it.  And I would enjoy hearing the gore.

Whatever you did can help others.

@seymour-krelborn you asked for it, now you suffer 😎

The first thing I did was buy the parts and set up a fiber media conversion for the in coming Ethernet cable.  It was a major leap. Next, I broke down and bought a dedicated DAC. I was using the DAC in my integrated amp. Sometimes, you don't know what you don’t know. Another step forward..The next step was a DDC between my streamer and the DAC. Why? I wanted to take advantage of the i2s input. After that, it was two incredible leaps. I bought a decent power conditioner. Another night and day change. Lastly, I replaced all the power cords with Ice Age Audio’s OFC Series power cords. The change was immediately noticeable and as I ran my system night and day, kept improving. Before I did all of this, I was convinced my speakers were mismatched to my listening space and was actively looking for replacements. Not anymore. 

@edinphiladelphia 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiqixaJp1Jc

(just kidding)

Which DDC did you purchase, and which power conditioner did you purchase?

@seymour-krelborn 

I bought a Gustard u18 DDC and an AudioQuest Powerquest 707, both used.  Nothing terribly scientific.  Lots of research, this forum, a couple of friends with killer systems and what was available on the used market.  For the record, connected to the Gustard is a Lumin U2 Mini-also bought used.