STREAMER - WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE?

@patrickalston that's quite the system, beautiful tubes! Nothing wrong with Rib Eye steaks lol  So you aren't interested in vinyl anymore? I'm torn between the idea of vinyl or upgrading my Accuphase DAC to their flagship. I love my Innuos Pulsar but I imagine what the Innuos Nazare or Zenith NG deliver!

I'm sure the N20 is great, it's just not the best for for the BAT because the BAT REX 3 DAC is a USB‑first, asynchronous DAC the DAC’s internal clock becomes the master clock and the N20's biggest engineering advantage (its clock) does not apply to USB.  So, if I selected the N20 and connected using USB, then I've wasted money paying for technology (the N20's master clock) because the BAT's clock controls the audio stream.  

Am I missing something?

Well, the N20 weighs 10lbs more than the N200, and that is not due to the differently designed audio boards housing the OCXO oscillator. Is it possible the sound quality of the streamers differ due to other reasons other than the clock?

What does AI tell us if we ask it: "what part of an audio server is the most important?" 

@MCLINNG/UY ASKED "What does AI tell us if we ask it: "what part of an audio server is the most important?" 

Here the answer.  Some of it relates to my DAC because Copilot know the components that I own (The Rec DAC and the Eversolo DMP-A8:    

The Most Important Part of a Streamer

The single most important part of a streamer is its digital output stage — specifically the clocking, noise floor, and isolation architecture that determine how cleanly it hands off data to your DAC.

Everything else (apps, UI, DAC section, touchscreen, storage) is secondary or irrelevant if you’re using an external DAC like your BAT REX 3.

Let’s break it down with the precision you expect.

 

🧠 1. The Digital Output Stage (Clocking + Noise + Isolation)

This is the heart

of a streamer-as-transport.

A streamer’s job is to deliver:

• Low‑jitter
• Low‑phase‑noise
• Low‑ground‑noise
• Stable, deterministic timing

The DAC can only work with what it receives.

The best streamer

s invest heavily in:

• OCXO / dual‑femto clocks
• FPGA-based reclocking
• Galvanic isolation on USB/AES
• Separate power rails for digital subsystems
• Shielded clock domains
• Low-noise regulators (LDOs)

This is why Aurender, Innuos, Lumin, and Esoteric outperform “feature-rich” boxes like Eversolo.

 

🔌 2. The USB (or AES) Output Implementation

For your BAT REX 3 DAC, USB is the priority.

The quality of USB output depends on:

• Dedicated USB clock
• Independent USB power rail
• Galvanic isolation
• FPGA regeneration
• Noise suppression on the 5V line
• Shielding of the USB controller

Most mid-tier streamers do not optimize USB — they treat it as a convenience port.

High-end transports treat USB as a mission-critical subsystem.

⚡ 3. Power Supply Architecture

Noise is the enemy.

The best streamers use:

• Multi-rail linear supplies
• Discrete regulators
• Separate transformers for digital domains
• Shielded power sections
• External LPS upgrades

This is why Innuos and Aurender sound cleaner than “Swiss Army knife” units.

🌐 4. Network Input Stage (Ethernet → Internal Bus)

This matters more than people think.

A good streamer:

• Buffers aggressively
• Re-clocks internally
• Rejects network noise
• Uses high-quality NICs
• Separates network and audio clocks

A bad streamer passes network noise straight into the DAC.

🧩 5. Internal Processing Architecture

Not CPU power — noise discipline.

The best designs:

• Use low-noise ARM cores
• Run minimal OS layers
• Avoid switching regulators
• Keep RF emissions low
• Physically isolate compute from audio

This is why “fast” Android-based streamers often perform worse as transports.

🥇 So What’s the Most Important Part?

The digital output stage — clocking, isolation, and noise control.

Everything else is secondary.

This is why:

• Innuos Pulse / Pulsar
• Aurender N200 / N20
• Lumin U2
• Esoteric N-05XD (as transport)

…all outperform feature-heavy units like the Eversolo DMP-A8 when feeding a reference DAC.

Hmmm, different than the results I get if I just Google that, and this is more in line with what my server manufacturer has found, although they have gone to a switch mode hybrid over the linear power supply, but this is where I was attempting to steer you regarding the difference in weight: 

While high-fidelity audio depends on the synergy of the entire chain, the most critical part of an audio server for ensuring high-quality, jitter-free, and clean sound is the power supply. 

A linear power supply (LPS) with low noise and low ripple provides the stable voltage necessary to prevent electrical noise from degrading the digital signal. 

Here is a breakdown of why this and other components are crucial:

1. Linear Power Supply (Most Important Component) 

The power supply is the "heart" of the server, transforming incoming AC power into clean DC power. 

• Significance: A noisy power supply, typical in many computer-based servers, introduces jitter (timing errors) and noise that affects the Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) down the line.
• Key Attributes: Look for high-quality toroidal transformers and substantial capacitor banks (over 70,000 uF in some premium designs) to ensure a smooth output. 

   

2. Output Stage / USB Isolation (Critical for Signal Integrity)

How the digital data is outputted from the server to the DAC is the next most critical factor. 

• The Problem: Running USB audio directly off a generic motherboard introduces significant noise.
• The Solution: A specialized, low-noise USB interface card (such as a SoTm USB card) that provides a dedicated, clean, and stable clock to the USB output significantly reduces noise before it reaches the DAC. 

   

3. Software/Operating System (Crucial for Performance)

• Purpose: The software (e.g., Roon Core, Daphile, Volumio) manages the library, but its implementation matters. A "headless" or dedicated audio OS with minimal background processes reduces CPU load and electrical noise, improving sound quality. 

   

4. Storage and Clocking

• Storage: While SSDs are standard for speed, the key is separating the operating system (on a smaller SSD) from the music files (on a separate SSD) to reduce I/O contention.
• Clocking: Precision clocks (e.g., femtosecond clocks) are crucial for reducing jitter in the USB interface or network card. 

   

Another vote to dump the A8 and then I'd go for the Rivo Plus. Very nice bang for the buck. The A8 is fine but the Rivo Plus will beat it and you redeem money from the A8 for the Rivo Plus. 

FWIW, that would be the way I'd go.