2. digital
  3. 181468-164802

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
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 

@malibu457
do i want to pay thousands for something like an Aruender? nope. i can get just as good sound quality by purchasing and downloading the same lossless file from Presto if i really really like something and save thousands.

I believe many will agree with this comment if you honestly can’t hear a difference. It would make no sense to buy the more expensive component if no sonic improvement is heard. There are many listeners however who do clearly hear unequivocally better sound quality.

Lots of people got into streaming initially with the lower cost, entry level type of audio streamer. They subsequently have found much better sound quality with higher level dedicated audio servers/streamers. The audible difference is as clear as can be based on their listening experience.

@malibu457 , what are some of the higher price music servers/network players you’ve compared with Node and found no improvement in sound quality? Again, if you have done this and there’s no improvement to be had, you are wise to stick with your current Node streamer.

Charles

romanesq
94 posts
 

The Wiim Pro is out and flying. Audiophile-grade with coax and optical out, bit perfect with hi res. $150 If USB is a necessity this won't be your cup of tea to test. 

Add some LPS and fiber, and let’s duel it out. 🤹🏼

No regrets here at this cost of entry. They are available via Amazon and are making a wave. Understandably with excellent software, frequent updates, and great performance. If you're in the streamer consideration arena, worth a listen. 

ketchup
700 posts
 

the Node is good enough to discover new artist via streaming.  do i want to pay thousands for something like an Aruender?  nope. i can get just as good sound quality by purchasing and downloading the same  lossless file from Presto if i really really like something and save thousands. 

@malibu457 - That's only worth it if you have great equipment to play back those lossless files.  How are you doing that?

malibu457
66 posts
 

i have the new Pontus 12th for playback of my lossless files. i believe source matters a lot. Rega Amp. another point is that i often travel and can not always depend on a wifi connection to stream. i attend the symphony in various countries around the world as well to keep my ears in tune. currently i use a Bluesound 2i that works very well with the new Pontus 12th. if Denafrips where to build a streamer only i would of course take a serious look at it. it might be interesting to upgrade to the new Node 130 which has USB output and run it into the Denafrips Iris and than out to the Pontus. also think of getting a IFI coax noise suppressor for the coax output of the OPPO player that serves my flac. files. from a external hard drive.

txp1
148 posts
 

@ianrmack @lalitk @bikeboy52  I also have a modified Node 2i with SBooster linear power supply and output via a Nordost Silver Shadow coax digital cable to a Chord Qutest DAC.  I also thought the modified Node 2i sound was excellent and couldn’t be improved.  But I finally bought an Aurender N150 three months ago and have been blown away by the improvement. The streamer really does matter if your other equipment is good. Give the streamer 300 hours to burn-in, but you’ll know after 100 hrs, and a good power cable and good USB cable.  

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