+2 carlsbad2 and mteetank - in addition to the more pointed question which was lost in generalization of it sounds better - the why it sounds better has not been established. notwithstanding of maybe a better power supply! it still stands to ask why a more expensive streamer if not utilizing the internal dac would sound better.
Help settle a streaming argument!
This is a SQ argument and is as follows- I argue if you connect your streamer to an outboard DAC the streamer does not matter it’s just serving the music to the outboard DAC to do the work. Therefore, buy a basic streamer. The other is that you need to buy a top quality streamer and DAC to get great SQ.
I liken it to cd players or the more pretentious cd transport argument- if the intent is to connect to outboard DAC the cd player doesn’t matter the outboard DAC DOES!
features and functionality aside! Thoughts…..
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I have a Bluesound Node 2i. I use the digital out into a PS Audio Directstream DAC Mk1. I would love to upgrade to a higher quality streamer if I could find one that supports Idagio Streaming (suggestions, anyone??).. Alternatively, I upgraded my Node2i with a TeddyPardo linear power supply. It made a significant improvement in SQ!! I think this is empirical evidence that a streamer can make a difference in SQ even when using an outboard DAC. |
@polkalover Imagine the sound from an old “record player” verses a $10 -$50K turntable with fancy phono ($-$$$) stage and an 2-10K needle. Same is true for streaming equipment. The good news is that money outlays are far less for a smoking streaming setup than for a vinyl one. |
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