Computer to DAC Streamer

Hello @thankful  What mains cables are you using? Have you tried different mains cables with your Zenith? If so, findings?

Based on your system page, it looks like you are using the industrial focused Electra (?). Thank you!

I’m happy with my Salk streamer into an oppo Sonica DAC.  The Salk is reasonably priced, works great as a Roon Core, streamer, and server.  Can be had with a SSD, and upgraded power supply.

My CDs are all ripped so transfer was a snap.  I don’t want the hassle, expense, and noise from a cd drive, so there is that.  

That said, short of music I can’t get via qobuz or tidal (tool, Metallica) I don’t see needing to rip again.

So, the unit I might look today at is the matrix audio element X.  Top of the line DAC built in, and measurements were outstanding on Audio Science Review.  Best measurements they have run.  3k.

I think a lot of what it comes down to is if you want an outboard DAC or not.

But if you see yourself streaming a lot more than using your ripped music, having the Dac built in with the streamer offers a lot of advantages.  

Dep14 of course you are happy with your Salk streamer, most people are happy with what they own. The reality is that the only way you know if you would be "more" happy would be to do an A/B vs a better streamer.

As we stated earlier the Salk seems to be a pretty ordinary mini pc design, if you compared that to an Innous Zen or a Zenith you should get dramatically better sound.

We have also found that a streamer when feed a better signal still sounds far better than a direct connection to the internet.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ Innous dealers

Yes Troy, I realize that Innuos, like all of the brands you carry are the absolute best values around. I think by now everyone on Audiogon realizes that.

I have my thoughts on Innuos also. I’m sure they are solid units.

I don’t think the Salk is the best thing since sliced bread. I’ve not stated that. It’s a reasonably priced unit that offers a lot of bang for the buck. Jim is a good guy, provides great value etc. I don’t make a dime off of my opinions here either. Just a life long audiophile with my own opinions and experiences. I will say that Jim Salk provides awesome support and a heck of a product for the money. Just like his speakers.

Heck, in my own post I also suggested a newer unit that measures extremely well and offers a bit of an alternative.

As for other units. I’ve demoed and owned quite a few. Personally I’ve noticed a much bigger difference in DAC’s than I have the streamers. For me the Salk offered a great value at the time, I still think it does and would for many. Heck, recently I even admitted that for the first time in 30 years plus of being an audiophile that I felt a cable made a true difference - my USB cable from my Streamer to my DAC. Absolutely felt it made a difference. So yes, I do a fair amount of my own A/B on my own and I’m of course open to change.

Lots of equipment out there I feel sounds "Better/different" to my ears than what I own. Just a matter of where I allocate resources aka cashola in my system.

One question however. You really love to globalize and use "we" instead of "I". Why not just "own" your own opinion?

"As we stated earlier". Do you and Troy jointly sit down and type each and every one of your posts declaring what you sell to be the absolute best values at every given price point out there? I (just me, alone posting here by myself) was wondering?

Dep there are two of us, Dave the owner, which is me, I do most of the posts, on occasion Troy writes in.  Troy comes in on weekends and helps evaluate new components and does turntable setups.

We  do a  lot of market research and bring in a lot of  new components for testing. For example we are testing Phison currently, and just brought in Golden Ear. In 2018 we brought in Krell. 

Our line list is very extensive and we read all the on line and magazines.

If we find another product which is better we move out of that one and bring in the new one.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ