Do streamers make a difference?
Just added the Nagra Streamer and I can wholeheartedly say yes, it does. Without buttons, remote control or a screen, it is elegant in its simplicity. On the other hand, its music selection is anything but simple as it accommodates Qobuz Connect, Tidal Connect, and Spotify Connect. It is Roon ready/Roon Tested, JPLAY Certified, and plays with Audirvāna, Airplay 2, UPnP/dlna for local files and vTuner for radio access.
It is a wonderful device and I hear more music and I hear the music more clearly. But in the interest of full disclosure, is it the streamer or the result of removing a USB connection?
My previous system used a Roon Nucleus Plus as server and streamer and was fed via an AudioQuest Vodka RJ/E ethernet cable from an Xfinity XB7-T modem/router. The Nucleus was then connected via an AudioQuest Dragon USB cable to a Playback Designs USB-X4 interface, which connected to a Playback Designs MPD-8 DAC using their proprietary high-bandwidth fiberoptic cable. In addition to the fiberoptic connection providing galvanic isolation, the USB-X4 also reduces jitter with a clock that is identical to the clock in the MPD-8.
The new system has the Nucleus and the Nagra Streamer each connected via Vodka ethernet cables to the Xfinity XB7-T. Nagra and Playback Designs share design technology and the Nagra Streamer connects to the MPD-8 with the same proprietary fiberoptic connection as the USB-X4 and also incorporates the identical clock, yielding the same sonic benefits in terms of noise and jitter reduction.
There is definite improvement in terms of detail and space. There is simply more to the music. I venture that the streamer contributes the lion’s share but acknowledge that I have removed a USB connection from the flow, which may also contribute to the difference.
While I believe it is a great addition to my system, the Nagra is not for everybody since its connectivity is limited to only two outputs, the second being an S/PDIF. The USB port is an input for hard and flash drives.
The matching Nagra Compact PSU almost doubles the purchase price so I have ordered a Teddy Pardo LPS to replace the included SMPS.
I do not use a network switch since I have only the two ethernet connections and see no reason to isolate one from the other. I also believe clocking is not an issue, but I am interested in what others think on both fronts.
Of note, EMM employ a similar proprietary fiberoptic cable set-up but utilize a different format that is not compatible with Nagra and Playback Designs.
I am very confident that higher end streamers will definitely sound better but I am also confident that the difference is marginal as it depends on the rest of your system to be ascertain the difference... and at what $$$$ ? For me, good enough is good enough and I’d rather set aside the $$$ for other pursuits. |
@fastfreight - Consider also, the possibility that the improvements you hear may be the result of separating the noisier, power hungry, computing functions of Roon Core/Server from the streamer/endpoint duties now being solely performed by your Grimm MU1. |
+1 Fastfreight. My 3rd streamer was the Grimm MU1 and it was a shockingly better sound than the then 10 year old dCS Vivaldi upsamper I think it was called. 6 months ago I demoed the Pink Faun Scion and was very impressed so I blindly bought the Pink Faun Ultra with the USB card, Wow. Then I upgraded to the Farad 10amp LPS that powers only the USB card. It was another wow! Every ungrade has been a worthwhile sonic advance. I forsee the density of the digital recordings increasing and the streaming equipment advances making continued improvments as we approach the sonic holy grail. I did find the OPs title to be triggering for me. I guess I have had too much coffee as the flat Earthers get me going every time. |
@hilde45 Improving source noise performance most certainly can make an impactful difference. This reality has partly fueled the popularity of outboard devices like DDCs, which are effectively flexible noise isolation and high-precision clocking platforms that go a ways toward resolving source (and DAC) limitations. But again, what proves worthwhile or practical is determined not strictly by the source, but also by the specific DAC and the type of connection used. |
HELLO @rbstehno, What is your streamer?
I certainly agree a great streamer improves everything, but in my experience, I can still hear subtle improvements with my switch. Does I2S put the clocking on the DAC or the Streamer? I am not familiar...but in my system, my Master Fidelity Nadac Clock and DAC absolutely sound better with USB. As to 'perfect' clocking, well improvements seem to keep coming. (read, 'I thought MY clock was perfect)
@mitch2 , hello, I do see your logic, but I really think the PF Scion just does a better job of running Roon core. It is designed from the beginning with this in mind.
@wokeuptobose , +1! +1! +1!
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