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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
jl35
4,227 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. 
mgrif104
417 posts
 
You’ll find there’s a recent thread just a few below this one that covers the same subject.  And, in that thread you’ll find scores of us who find better streamers make a very significant difference and a good number of respondents who believe in the orthodoxy of 1s and 0s delivered in packets can’t possibly make a difference.

I’m in the former camp.  They’re as important as the DAC.

But, YMMV so you’ll have to try with your own ears with your own equipment.
singintheblues OP
98 posts
 
@ironlung 😂😂😂😂. Thanks for that.

Should I also learn how to tap my toes?
soix
10,334 posts
 
I’d keep streamer, DAC, amp separate unless you really need to reduce the box count for some reason.  And yes, they all matter significantly just like everything else in this hobby.
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