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Looking for a true upgrade in sound quality

I currently stream Qobuz and Tidal through my Lumin T2. I have had this about 4 years. I have AT&T fiber optic internet to the house the ethernet cable direct to the Lumin. About 30' of cable from the router to the device. I was thinking of using the Lumin only as a streamer and adding a conceivably better DAC. Is this a legit way to go about a more resolving sound. To my ears there is a slight veil over everything and maybe a little etched overall, bass response is great. I was also hoping for a recommendation for the DAC if this is a good option. $6,000 budget new or used is fine. I have had very good luck with used equipment over the years. Thanks, Allen.

backwash
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gubaface
26 posts
 

If you are serious about streaming, I would consider investing in Ansuz Acoustics Power switches. I tried first Silent Angel Bonn N8 and English Electric 8Switch switches (with Supra CAT 8+ ETHERNET cables) and while the improvement was there it was marginal. And then I got Ansuz PowerSwitch A2 and Oh My God! The difference in sound quality was just shocking! I stream music in four different places and in each case, it was like replacing a sound system with a much better one. Even the cheapo system in my exercise room sounded perfectly musical and satisfying. If I were to start again, I would spend more money on Ansuz PowerSwitch and save on the rest of the system. The biggest one piece of equipment improvement I have ever experienced. Who knew that cleaning up the noise on the Ethernet line could go that far! 

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gubaface
26 posts
 

To answer the original question, I have gotten exceptionally good results with dCS Network Bridge and Merason DAC1. This setup has a very musical and organic sound. When you forget about the equipment and just enjoy the music you know that you have got it right.

zlone
706 posts
 

A capable system indeed. Try the tweaks for the network, hopefully that smoothes things out. As for DAC’s I will second the Merason suggestion, I have a Reuss, very natural. 
 

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jji666
539 posts
 

You could try a different DAC.  Many people who actually understand networking are very skeptical of network tweaks.  Switches and network cables don’t have a sound, except silence when not working.

soix
9,667 posts
 

Many people who actually understand networking are very skeptical of network tweaks. Switches and network cables don’t have a sound, except silence when not working.

@jji666 Many people who understand networking refuse to just use their ears because they’ve convinced themselves something can’t possibly make a difference. You’ve also said streamers have no sound so let’s consider the source here. It’s fine to be skeptical, but dismissing something without hearing it is arrogant and ignorant — but it’s a lot easier, I’ll give you that.

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