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Does anyone have a digital system that is as involving as their analogue front end?

I have a good analogue front end. Not stratuspherically good but good enough for this comparison. VPI Prime Signature 21 turntable, Pass Labs XP-25 pono preamp, Pass Labs XP-30 preamp and Hovland Radia amp. It has a lovely, very involving sound. On the right recording, I just drop everythng and am drawn in to listen.

My streamer, on the other hand, is decent but not spectacular. It is better than my CD player, but it is not jaw-dropping like my analogue front-end. My question is this: does anyone have a high-end, tier-one streamer (dCS Bartok Apex, Lumin X2, or something like them) that can rival a good analogue system?

audio-b-dog
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
7,830 posts
 

@audio-b-dog 

I’m playing the Rite with Klaus - no issues. Your network is what needs to be looked at. In another thread I linked you to the guys recommended changing DNS to google, which is 8.8.8.8  

I did that just to try. It requires a reboot of your router to take effect. You should be able to try it out.

audio-b-dog's avatar
audio-b-dog OP
777 posts
 

@audphile1

I remember when you sent that and I looked at it. I thought it was just way over my head. I had no idea how I would find a way to change DNS, or what it was. So, I put it aside thinking I'd try simpler ways of fixing it first. But I guess I must try it. Could you send me that link again. It's way up in our chain and I'm not sure I'd be able to find it. Also, if you have anything you could explain to make it simpler. Thank you. 

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
7,830 posts
 

What mesh router are you using? If you prompt AI it will give you the instructions. Just be as detailed as possible to list your router and mesh. 

audio-b-dog's avatar
audio-b-dog OP
777 posts
 

@audphile1 

I am bypassing the mesh and going directly into the ATT fiber hub. 

kennyc
2,834 posts
 

My main is SS targeting engagement, neutrality, and low noise floor.

2 other DAC companies I find interesting and tempting:

  • Lampizator - tubes with sound described as holographic. TOL competes with the best DACs. Maybe try a Baltic someday.
  • Lejonklou HiFi - opposite of ASR measurements, the designer deeply obsessively listens ALL components when designing components. Stereophile Alex Halberstadt is a die hard tube guy who greatly dislikes the sound of SS and greatly dislikes lossy audio files “And lossy, sub-CD-resolution files are to be avoided like a case of shingles.” He was gobsmacked on how great and involving Kalla+Spotify sounded. Also just recently, AH tested an assortment of Lejonklou components in an audio chain (integrate, streamer-DAC, phono) and it was maybe the first SS that he liked. 

 

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