2. digital
  3. 127579-1453

To reclock or not to reclock

I would like some advice regarding streaming audio. I currently use a Sonos Connect and stream Apple music into a Simaudio Moon DAC. Streaming music is my secondary choice after CD’s and I usually use it for playing tracks or albums that I do not own on disc. Sometimes I use it only as background music while doing other things around the house so from a sound quality standpoint it is a secondary choice in my system.

That established, I have been reading lately about how a reclocker can greatly improve the sound of the Sonos. As I began that research, the comments were very favorable toward reclockers in that application. I then started to look at actual units available with the first being the Empirical Audio Pace Car which sells for $599.00 (w/ one year of free Tidal). I then ran across the Wyred4Sound unit at $399.00. Both received very positive reviews. The additional option for each of these units is an upgraded power supply but I don’t want to get mired down in that detail here.

As I was reading it dawned on me, gee, why not just upgrade my streaming device? Would that allow for a higher level of sound reproduction without the need for an additional device? (Sonos $395.00 plus reclocker $400.00 or $600.00 puts the total package in the $800.00 to $1000.00 range so I could justify $1000.00 for a new streaming device). That’s when I happened upon a comment from a poster who said the AURALic Aries MINI streamer at $549.00 sounded better than the Sonos with the Wyred4Sound reclocker. So anyone have any suggestions here? A lot of the information I read was older and wanted to get feedback on up-to-date technology. So is it Sonos w/reclocker or different streaming device? Thanks.
128x128falconquest
wtf's avatar
wtf
307 posts
 
The iFi SPDIF iPurifier is your least expensive option and may be all you need to elevate the Sonos sound (should you decide to keep it). It sells for about $150.

http://http//ifi-audio.com/portfolio-view/accessory-spdif-ipurifier/

IMHO if you are only going to be streaming Apple Music and/or internet radio, spending $1000 is kind of overkill even for audiophiles.
falconquest's avatar
falconquest OP
1,108 posts
 
Thanks wtf, this sounds like a plausible solution.
keithtexas
352 posts
 
Quick [dumb] question. 
I have a WFS Dac2DSD with Femto clock upgrade.
And I just purchased a Cambridge CXC transport to replace my dead Pioneer PD65.
I've been out of audio for a few years; would the ifi purifier be helpful between the transport and Dac?
TIA
falconquest's avatar
falconquest OP
1,108 posts
 
At this point keith, I'm not qualified to answer your question. The ifi purifier uses a Femto clock so I'm not sure you would be gaining anything. Here is a link to their sight with some information.

http://ifi-audio.com/portfolio-view/accessory-spdif-ipurifier/
kalali's avatar
kalali
1,977 posts
 
In as far as moderately priced streamers/DAC are concerned, I personally preferred the Bluesound Node2 over the Auralic Aries mini. I think its internal DAC is fairly decent and I've been using it for streaming Tidal with good results. I just recently bought an external DAC to improve my CDP playback and it  has two coax inputs and gives me the option to bypass the Node2 DAC.
More to discover