Solo streamer

@calvinandhobbes

(love your handle!)

your experience is consistent with what I’ve been arguing here: streamers don’t have a sound.  The difference across streamers is just differences in jitter and other noise.  So the best streamers just get out of the way so you can hear your dac, amp, preamp and speakers.  And btw, if you look at the lab reports section of the HiFi News review of your streamer, it has vanishingly low amounts of jitter and other noise.

I agree with those that have suggested the mesh router / network system. This is what I do, using the Netgear Orbi 6 around my house. I initially used a high quality ethernet cable straight from the satellite to my streamer but since have put in a few more steps (switch, etc).

Many streamers with wifi will suffer sonically as wifi is a source of noise, and digital signals are quite delicate and susceptible to noise  

Again, as both a dealer for Cambridge and Aurender, I believe you will be surprised at how much more information you will get from any Aurender.

True story - I once had a customer come in with his CXN V2 (streamer only, using its digital outs) to compare to an N200. Both were hooked up to a T+A DAC 200. We first played a few songs on the CXN v2, then we hooked up the N200. It took all of 10 seconds once the N200 was playing music for the guy say “I’m buying it.” The improvement in clarity, transparency, and soundstage immersion is immediately noticeable.

Do different WiFi extenders sound different? Anyone try more than one?

Thanks,

aldnorab 

Although I’m now really liking my current streamer, I have nothing to lose in trying the Aurender so I probably will let the sale go through.

@mdalton Interesting to hear that the HiFi News & RR lab reports show that the Pro-ject streamer has very low levels of jitter and other noise.

@aldnorab I've only tried one Wi-Fi extender, but the improvement it made over using the streamer's built-in Wi-Fi was immediately obvious.

One way to improve your current digital source is my removing noise from your system. I got an Audioquest Niagara 1200 power conditioner. It's been useful in unlocking more clarity and resolution.