Do different streamers really sound different when using an external DAC

@knighttodd 

Be curious to hear how the  Audio Mirror Troubadour compares to the RME. Is your RME the latest fs version or previous DAC? If you end up keeping the RME, you’ll be surprised how much better it sounds with a Teddy Pardo power supply. Really takes it to another level in all areas, especially a more open stage. The finer details gets even better with a much lower noise floor. Teddy Pardo delivered will set you back $400.

Interesting that you bring up the Tubadour, it is one of the DACs I was considering to hook up to the Node 2i before I bought the Musical Paradise DAC. Being in Canada it would be an issue with customs and such to buy and return it if I didn't like it. The MP DAC fell in my lap and though it's not R2R is all tube, non oversampling, including tube rectification, built like a tank with user upgradable coupling caps. Very well reviewed on the boards and was a no brainer for me as the designer/company owner lives in my province.

That being said, a good buddy of mine who lives in the US is a retired classical musician with an outstanding audio system and a very critical ear. And he is a hardcore vinyl guy,
I turned him onto the Tubadour and he has had it for about 2 weeks and loves it. And I would expect it would even better if you rolled out the tubes Vlad puts in them.

Something like a Reflector 74/75 SWGP from the USSR would sing in it. My DAC runs 6dj8 or equivalents (same as the Tubadour) and these particular Russian Tubes walk all over the Amperex Bugle Boys I was using. I think you will love the Tubadour over the RME if you want more music and less of an analytical sound. 

Wouldn’t call the RME analytical at all unless ones system is bright to begin with. The RME is very revealing but it’s not bright or analytical. My guess is those that claim so haven’t really heard one or if they have not set up well, or were using Toslink and maybe standard Spotify or Tidal. 
I’m running my RME currently direct to a Pass X250 into Aerial Acoustics 7Bs which is far from an overly soft setup. I also own a ModWright LS36.5 preamp which is a fine preamp and the RME direct loses a little of the warmth the MW adds but makes up for it with its crystal clean refined top end and lower noise floor with extended bass slam.

Owned tube amps over the years which I enjoyed but I’ll take transparency over things being rolled off. I do currently own a tube phono preamp as well. I’m sure the Tubadour is a fine product that I have not heard, but I would not write off the RME, especially with a better power supply.

If I was using USB to the dac, then the pc/Mac/streamer could make a difference because some vendors try to make USB sound better. Since I don't use USB, then no. All a streamer server is is a proprietary computer, most of the time running linux, and a proprietary version of linux at that. Most streamers have more processing power than what's needed but probably makes it easier for some to charge the higher prices. Its pretty hard to justify a $13k streamer with hardware that's over the top to a 8 year old Mac mini that runs Roon with 6 end points that takes 15% of the mini's resources, again, not using USB

adg101.                                                                              I do have the fs model. I have looked into the Teddy Pardo.  After having spent the money for the upgraded pc on the BS I didn't see any improvement. If you say there is an improvement using the TP power I would need to try myself. Don't know what the return policy is. In my own mind I don't think there is that much difference when using small PC. Also I read from RME that they supply the unit with the best PC and any other would not add any extra benefits. Again results are always different in your own system, mine included. Thanks for reminding me about the TP.