Our HP Elitedesk mini PC setup using jriver media center via USB connected to a Denafrips Hermes to our modified Directstream DAC via i2s sounds much better than a dedicated streamer so the assumption that a streamer is always better than a PC is false. If you do the PC correctly it is unbeatable. Also jriver supports many more file formats including SACD iso's. We also compared Roon with jriver and we feel jriver is superior. No matter what you use to stream with we found that using fiber media converters for the ethernet connection is a big plus as it adds additional isolation.
Updating My Digital System
Last week I replaced my mac mini running BitPerfect with a Bricasti M5 Network Player. With the mac mini, I used AirPlay to pass files from my file storage on an iMac to my Esoteric K1X SE DAC using USB. With the M5, I use Roon. I was surprised and did not expect the difference in overall musical presence coming from my 3.7i maggies. More articulate bass, improved separation and space, and an increase in vocal timbre. There just seems to be a lower noise floor that helps make this all possible. I have many music files encoded using Apple’s AAC encoder, so was able to directly compare the mac mini setup with the M5. My take is that the bulk of the improvement is due to the M5 and not as much by Roon. Interested in any comments on my experience.
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I also noticed a major improvement when I went from an iPad pro to an Innuos Stream 1 (with LPS1 and Phoenix USB module). Better definition, lower noise floor, better timbre and tonal qualities of instruments and voices. I also upgraded my cabling, using DH Labs Mirage for the USB connection and Reunion Cat 8 for Ethernet, both an upgrade over more modest cabling. |
@jk_richards I’m not saying you’re right or wrong but have you tried a good streamer and DAC, Ethernet filtration, high grade Ethernet cable(s) and a quite switch? Taking care of the whole digital chain I found that better than from a computer. Naturally YMMV. |
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@jk_richards Ah, I see you are in the business. Cool. Good luck.
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