2. digital
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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…..

polkalover
niodari's avatar
niodari
301 posts
 

If you are using the same DAC for both, your CD transport and the streamer, then you perhaps may check your CD transport and also other your audio  components, the amplifier on speakers. In general do not expect a huge difference in sound quality.  If you have a good system both sources will give you dicent sound quality and often it is a matter of taste which source you like more. 

niodari's avatar
niodari
301 posts
 

As an example, my son liked more the sound from Node 2i over a much more expensive Melco server. And yes, the Node a nice steamer it is compact, easy to use and its software is quite flexible.

scottwheel
184 posts
 

Modern DACs designed and built with the intention to be accurate will be audibly transparent. You’d have to really screw up a streamer to get one to audibly color the sound. 
 

No one is going to settle your argument. It will just be amplified here. 

divertiti
225 posts
 

That hypothesis is wrong. I use a $50K DAC, and upgrading the streamer made just as big of a difference as upgrading the DAC.

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,230 posts
 

This is a blend of trolling and trawling. 

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