SQ Comparison of 3 streamers

Like the OP I had the T8 and now Rivo+. I started streaming with a Bluesound Nano and then bought a T8. In my system, the T8 sounded very clean, detailed and dynamic, but any listening session of an hour, and I was finished. Violins especially sounded too thin and bright. I found that I actually preferred the tone of the less revealing Nano, so I sold the T8. Then I bought a used rivo+ and LPS. I’ve had it a couple of weeks now and enjoy it. It sounds more relaxed and tonally rich than the T8 did. I get no fatigue listening to the Rivo+. I read with great interest the SQ difference between Qobuz connect and Volumio OS. I find the same, that Volumio sounds richer and more fleshed out tonally than QC. The bass has more weight as well. I have no idea why. 

My system:

Rivo+ via USB 

Harmony uDDC reclocker with SMSL master clock

Denafrips Pontus 15th

Ladder Bach SS Preamp

Orchard Audio Strarkrimson Ultra

Buchardt E-50

fully balanced system using XLR

@dtapo  My system: 

Rivo+ via USB 

Harmony uDDC reclocker with SMSL master clock

Denafrips Pontus 15th

Ladder Bach SS Preamp

Orchard Audio Strarkrimson Ultra

Buchardt E-50

fully balanced system using XLR

A great system. I really like your digital front-end / DAC setup. The preamp is top choice as well. I heard the Orchard Starkrimson amp at this FL audio show—very impressive. The bass is solid, nimble and well controlled. I enjoyed the Buchardt S400 II in my second rig, and the E-50 is in the next level.

How does the SMSL G1 help with a micro DDC? I know it has a better OCXO 10MHz clock inside, but since that clock is not a multiple of the word clock for a Denafrips DAC (mathematically), I wonder whether it delivers significantly better sound than the DDC alone.  Thanks.

I forgot to mention that the SMSL master clock is primarily used with the SMSL CD transport. It helps with CD playback- smoother and more refined treble. In general, the reclocker helps the DAC sound fuller and smoother, but I'm not sure if the master clock helps the streamer.

That makes sense.  Thanks for the clarification.

@dtapo 

I get no fatigue listening to the Rivo+. I read with great interest the SQ difference between Qobuz connect and Volumio OS. I find the same, that Volumio sounds richer and more fleshed out tonally than QC. The bass has more weight as well. I have no idea why. 

I totally agree with you.  With the Rivo+ and a LPS using Qobuz, I find that Volumio gives me  a tad more bass weight than the Qobuz Connect, but, I still use both since the differences are minor in my system.