2. digital
  3. 191749-165378

Streaming, Getting the Signal, Then What?

I feel so stupid not getting the streaming thing though at almost 70 years old I have moved more toward digital then any time previously.  My PS Audio AirLens into a PS Audio DirectStream DAC MK1 gets its signal from a Netgear Nighthawk CAX80 modem/router purchased in Jan. '22.  I know I get a signal. I hear music play. Is this Netgear product better than the freebie that the ISP provider installs?  I think so. But following discussion FORUM I tend to think I may be able to do better, maybe?

So chime please as to what perhaps I should considered considering my AirLense & MK1 DAC. PLEASE, do not tell me why what I have could be so much better if.... This post presumes I have the equipment I have. From modem/router to sources is a high end AudioQuest ethernet cable product. That also is out of the equation for whomever wants to opine as to my cable choice.

Recommendations please.  If it matters the sources feed into a PS Audio BHK Signature pre, then into a pair of PS Audio M1200 monoblocks.  Speakers are Ohm Walsh Tall 3000. Love love love the flexibility I get from omni-directionals.  O.K., you can share your thoughts about my Ohms. But budget doesn't allow MBL or German Physiks.  Thanks one and all.

128x128veemike
veemike's avatar
veemike OP
29 posts
 

Thanks all. I now see that erik_squires may be correct, that there may not be a realistic upgrade. I am going to print this thread and come to my own conclusion. Perhaps it is only tweaks that may conceivably make a small difference.

Thanks all. 

veemike's avatar
veemike OP
29 posts
 

If you are using a combination modem/router my one remaining suggestion is to use a gas discharge surge suppressor at the entrance of the cable to your building.

I live in a 160 year old brick factory building condo-ized back in 2007. So I cannot access the entrance of the cable into the building.  I am going through an upmarket surge protector immediately in front of my modem/router.

 

deep_333
1,566 posts
 

The lowest hanging fruit if you deal with digital hires files or ripped rebook cd (i.e., you buy the albums and pay the artist a living wage) is...you get the Daniel Hertz Master Class Ssoftware ($600 ish) and you convert your digital files before playback...it takes care of anything .."digital-ish’ and makes it sound like analog tape., while retaining every pro of a hires studio master....no cons/pita of old master tape, no awful vinyl cons to deal with in the name of analog.

At that point, it doesn’t matter all that much if your dac sucked a bit or the streamer sucked worse...it doesn’t quite matter how neurotic one went with the ethernet & power infrastructure.

There are certain things that matter way more to the ear/central nervous system (towers over everything else) and Levinson appears to have somehow stumbled into or managed to get to the bottom of it.

emergingsoul
1,217 posts
 

What is i2s and whyis so good?

fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,635 posts
 

Your post title sounds like you’re having difficulty streaming.

If the AirLens is sufficient for you, great. I have a Mk I and all inputs sound the same as Ted designed it. Contrary to the faulty "wisdom" above.

If you’re looking for tweaks, the cited transformer upgrade is the most consequential.

I also have a mesh router, the only way I would go. With an Eno and a Bright Angel switch behind a node.

A Zero Surge should be sufficient in your situation.

Works for me.

 

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