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0s & 1s are all the same aren’t they? Is it really worth paying for a “better” Streamer?

OK, so at the moment I use a Raspberry Pi into a Denafrips DAC.

I’m looking for the best sound I can get, but also to reduce boxes if I can (SQ is the decider), so looking at either an Integrated or Preamp with DAC or buying a Streamer with DAC, which would free me up to buy any Integrated or Pre..

But my question is, fed into the same DAC, do expensive Streamers really sound any better than a Raspberry Pi?    After all, aren’t 0s & 1s just that????

I can buy an Auralic Aries at a good price.  Would I really hear a difference?

I’ve only ever heard 2 expensive Streamers, both Linn.   Wasn’t at all impressed.   All I could hear is that awful smeared Linn house sound.

Is there an outstanding Streamer with Onboard DAC I should go for?



Thanks





singintheblues
ironlung
65 posts
 
I'd suggest you invest time into learning how to listen. It's apparent by your comment about Linn that you have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.
jl35
4,017 posts
 
My Wyred-4-Sound modified Sonos, into a very good DAC, sounds much better than the standard Sonos into the same DAC...sending in less jitter and noise I’m told, regardless of why, all who listened heard significant improvement...

jmphotography's avatar
jmphotography
161 posts
 
As for the "do expensive streamers really sound better" I recently upgraded from a Bluesound Node 2i which I thought was a great streamer for the money. I was using it as a streamer only, running it into a Chord Qutest. A couple weeks ago I received my new Innuos Zen which I am running into the same Qutest. I am amazed at how big of a difference I heard as far as streaming. More open, and detailed, but just a fuller bodied, richer sound. The biggest thing was it felt more natural, female vocals were the biggest, just cleaner and more natural sounding, no digital edge. 
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