Why are so many people spending so much money to build “perfect” streaming system?

@zlone 

The two factors that are frequently ignored in the streamer space, beyond the 1's and 0's, are noise and jitter. These are real factors in hardware design and in the end audio quality. Especially jitter. It is undeniable that the clocking of the signal is critical to delivering good, focused sound.

If you understand that then you should also understand that the product of noise and jitter is distortion. And the levels of distortion that are audible can be measured and have been known for many decades. And almost all digital devices are below those distortion levels. No one disputes that humans can't hear 50kHz. Why do people dispute that they can hear inaudible distortion?

You do not need to spend 2-3k to have a decent streamer but the $80 wiim does not cut it.  I tried it and, as Stereophile commented, the bass is soft and the sound is not as engaging.  Tried IFi Zen Streamer ($300) and loved the SQ, although the UI (such as search engine) with Qobuz (through Mconnect) is not as convenient as the UI on Wiim.  

Can't count the many times I've observed the oft repeated mantra of illogic that believes no further improvements available, and this applied to every single component in audio systems. And then these individuals open their minds to trying the things more experienced audiophiles suggest, shazam, new converts!

Funny thing is, I don't see individuals, at least within all the audiophile forums maintaining long term static setups. If one already had a setup that couldn't possibly be bettered, why would you change a single thing, and furthermore, why are you even involved in these forums. If I was as truly happy as these individuals profess to be I'd not be involved in any audiophile talk, just blissfully happy and ignorant in my little bubble. Seems some unncertainty here, just jump in, the waters fine!

@lanx0003 

You do not need to spend 2-3k to have a decent streamer but the $80 wiim does not cut it

But that’s the point . The Wilm unit will absolutely “cut it” for the “bits are bits “ adherents. By their reasoning there is no justification to need more. The Wilm satisfies all digital source responsibilities. From this perspective, the Bluesound Node is unnecessary and overpriced.

Charles 

@jssmith If you understand that then you should also understand that the product of noise and jitter is distortion. And the levels of distortion that are audible can be measured and have been known for many decades. And almost all digital devices are below those distortion levels. No one disputes that humans can't hear 50kHz. Why do people dispute that they can hear inaudible distortion?

Possibly correct when it comes to the effects of RFI/EMI, not sure. Not correct in the case of jitter. Jitter is measurable and the effect is measurable, but jitter is not about additional noise, audible or not, but rather distortion of the sound itself by smearing the timing. If measurements are your thing, we can look to the ever controversial ASR team and their review of the Allo DigiOne that I am using:

Amir gives this device a high rating based on jitter measurements. Jitter, or lack thereof, is audible, if you have the system and the ears to hear it.