Streamer upgrade? follow up.


I posted the first part of this earlier in the week. There are a few other threads running concurrently here about this same subject.This is my personal experience with this situation.Ive been using a Aurender A100 streamer/dac which is they’re entry level unit, the SQ wasn’t horrible but I was pretty sure I could get it better.In a attempt to do that I purchased a Denafrips Pontus two and a DhLabs Mirage Usb cable to use with the A100 utilizing its Usb out.The two local hi fi dealers here in SO Cal both told me this would not produce much of an result and in my opinion after trying it they were both correct. So… as I stated in the first post I was coming from a “bit is bits” perspective which was I was convinced adding a better Dac would accomplish my goals, I just couldn’t believe that the zeros and ones  could possibly effect the quality of sound. But not being one to give up I decided in for penny in for a pound Id see for myself if there was anything to the other side of this conversation, I wanted a new toy for Xmas anyway.So I traded my A100 plus some cash to TMR ( nice people btw) for a shiny new Aurender N200 which arrived yesterday. Last night the moment of truth, I hooked up the new unit with the exact same everything as before in my system nothing different but the streamer.I let the tubes and everything else warm up for a few hours,picked a song I knew inside and out sat down and pressed play. Immediately within the first few notes of the Stones “ Wild Horses “ I knew I had made the right choice and that I was wrong believing  bits are bits “. I really don’t have adequate language to describe the difference in sound quality other than to say I feel like Im in someone else’s home listening to they’re far superior system, its that drastic.I can with complete confidence say this has got to be one of if not the most significant upgrades Ive made in my system, scouts honor!              PS. Grinin ear to ear here.                                                            

bikeboy52

Congratulations! I know how it feels. It’s an amazing experience when it happens.

 

And kudos for trying a superior DAC, regardless of the “bits are bits, zeroes and ones” prior beliefs. It takes guts to overcome them. Unlike some who replace their “competent” DAC with another “competent” DAC of the same grade, and arrive at the permanent conclusion that all “competent” DACs sound the same. And streamers. And Digital in general. Zeroes and ones

@designsfx Steaming Tidal. Beginning to think I created a problem rather than solved one though, now my digital sounds better than my analog. It was just the opposite previously. This’ll never end😀.

Enjoy !   I have had a N200 for a few months now and it is awesome.   Support is awesome too.    No regrets here other than not doing it sooner