@phusis streamers don't all sound alike and extremely expensive streamers are objectively better. There's a clear difference in SQ between a streamer that comes with a NAD or Cambridge preamplifier, a Bluesound Node, a Lumin, an Innuos Pulse, and Innuos Pulsar based on my past experiences having owned them. And just when I thought the Pulsar couldn't get better, I replaced the factory power cord with a custom Furutech power cord and the SQ was significantly better. USB cables from my Pulsar to my Accuphase DC-37 Processor/DAC also affected SQ.
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.
- ...
- 102 posts total
I appreciate the support and thanks for catching my drift. You actually get my point which is more about framing our experiences. And system context, which plays a much bigger role in whether those gains are actually heard. That’s why I brought up system philosophy. Not as a knock, but as context. Where I see it a bit differently is in how those differences present themselves in real systems. In my experience, especially in the mid or low tier range, the delta often comes across more as flavor in presentation rather than a clear “this one is objectively superior” across the board. That’s what I meant by nuances and not dismissing engineering, but acknowledging how those design choices translate sonically. You analogy is spot on but even there, we know synergy and implementation can outweigh hierarchy. A “better” component doesn’t always yield a more meaningful result if the system isn’t set up to reveal or benefit from it. So for me, it’s less about denying differences and more about how much those differences matter within a given system and set of priorities. Different paths, same goal…enjoying the music 👍 PS: How’s your search coming along with room acoustics. |
@lalitk I have the room acoustics worked out and now it's just a matter of time before I get everything made and installed. I'm looking forward to it. How can I send a rendering over? |
@fire_water wrote:
Exactly; the (much) more expensive streamer is the objectively better one compared both my own ditto and the ones I mentioned and have experience with on a trial basis in my own setup. And yes, there are differences between all of them that are discernable, but where they don’t amount to an objective and significant improvement in core areas I merely refer to them in this context as "flavors," which shouldn’t be misconstrued with my not being able to articulate in more detail what these differences come down to. I just don’t see how it’s relevant to this particular discussion, but obviously that doesn’t keep others from being patronizing and assuming you can’t tell one from the other when it's implied the system is supposedly not up to par. To me for something to be objectively better it needs to be so fundamentally that warrants an actual purchase. That being the case I’d rather wait a bit, save up the extra dough and go with the investment that provides a definite advancement in SQ, instead of going "sideways" with a less costly streamer.
Sure, just as I’m about to replace my Mundorf Silver/gold digital AES/EBU cable with a pure silver cable from AST. Recently I also incorporated a voltage regulator for a modest investment over my DAC/preamp, DSP and music server/streamer with a noticeable improvement in SQ - more so and an actual one compared to toying with previously named and somewhat more expensive streamers. |
- 102 posts total