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

@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.  

@txp1 

Thanks for your feedback and glad to hear that N150 has elevated your listening experience. Enjoy! 

I've had my N200 about a week now and it is really nice, it immediately was more transparent, better delineated soundstage which is also wider and deeper too. Great bass!

@fthompson251 

Congratulations on taking the leap. Are you using a COAX or USB cable to your DAC? Once you settle down, try a mineral based grounding with N200 and you may uncover another layer of its hidden potential.

@lalitk  I am using a Kimber Illuminations D-60 Coax, I do not understand what a mineral based ground is or how it works.