DDC Sound Improvements???

@stillbuyingtoys I may test a Rivo + because it can use my current LPS powering the BS but I've found that to completely blow away the current streaming setup, I'll be spending some serious coin.  The Matrix NT-1 is very good but my next stop way down the road now in streaming is probably DCS with their built in module to see how that compares in the streaming and DAC perform.  

I’ve come across some users reporting that the NT-1 sounds analytical to their ears. I take it that this is probably the main reason they perceive such great separation and a huge soundstage from it. Impressions of sound are so subjective, I’ve found—just like how I think the T8 sounds analytical and cold side of neutral, while others find it pleasant.

I like the way you feel confident about your digital front-end setup. However, jumping from BS all the way to dCS is a fairly bold statement in my opinion—no offense. Please try the Rivo+ and see if it can further elevate your rig. At least in my experience, it was a significant / huge sonic improvement when I upgraded from the MXN10 / Ultra / iFi ZS to the Rivo+, and I’ve been enjoying it ever since.

Also, I’ve been learning from you and several others about the Chi-Fi silver cable, particularly the sterling silver one. After experiencing the silver XLR IC from Veritas, I’m convinced that silver does not necessarily lead to brightness. That said, relatively speaking, I can still tell it is somewhat brighter than copper (with everything else held the similar). However, the added smoothness and improved tonal balance across the spectrum tend to soften the perception of brightness. 

Until next time, enjoy your music listening.

My impression of the BS line of streamers has always been ICON > Nano > Node X (or ES A6) > the older Node 130 or 132, based on the descriptive statements provided by Tarun about the sound of BS. There are also a handful of feedback reports and reviews stating that the older Nodes are beaten by the Wiim Ultra.

we shouldn’t confuse comparisons of these various b-s units -- are you talking about at the analog outputs (using on the onboard dacs) or as streamers?... in my post i was referring specifically about the latter

as streamers the fact that they (the n130 and nano) sound no different once the poor/noisy internal power supply is removed from the n130 is not a surprise, they use the same (fairly mediocre) internal clocks and have very simple galvanic isolation 

tarun is a good conscientious reviewer but we must take all reviewers with a grain of salt... like us he is just a guy with his system and his ears, trying to hear the differences best he can

Streamers, as always. Tarun is just one example. There are other reviewers saying the same thing. I had the A6 before, and the Nano clearly outperforms it — again, on digital out, in my rig. I never take built-in DACs seriously.  To be frank, I even prefer Nano over ES T8.

Clock is just one component in streamer and SQ depends on, for example, power supply design, noise isolation and output stage engineering.  I assume you know about this.  Mentioning this to you might be an insult, isn’t it?

I asked ChatGPT if an Innuous streamer would be worth it over my node N130 with an external Teddy Pardo LPS ( I’m using the DAC in my Boulder 866) and it said I would only see a 5-10 percent improvement.  I wound love to get some thoughts on Chats assessment.