2. digital
  3. 176205-4741

Surprised by streamer differences

This from a newbie when it comes to separate streamers/DACs, having just recently dipped my toes into them.  I’ve been a long-term user of the Perfectwave DAC with a Bridge II streaming my ripped discs, Tidal and Qobuz via Roon.

Picked up a Denafrips Ares II and was using a Node 2i as a streamer.  Thought it sounded pretty good.  I didn’t do a direct comparison to the PSA unit.  

Read about streamers making a difference so I picked up a Stack Link II.  Listened to Stack/Denafrips rig and heard more detail than through the PSA rig.  

I then compared the Denafrips to the Perfectwave using the Stack streamer.  Here, I expected to hear some differences.  I did, but those differences seemed subtle.

I then picked up a Auralic Aries streamer to compare to the Stack.  I only played them through the Denafrips, but this is what surprised me.  I heard more of a difference in sound quality when swapping the streamers than when I swapped DACs using the Stack streamer.  

Through the Stack, everything seemed tight and precise.  And through the Auralic, everything seemed more relaxed and loose.

The best way for me to describe the differences is like comparing my Lexus ES330 (loose and relaxed) vs my BMW 650i (tight and precise).

I just found that kind of interesting.

 

 

I

128x128audiodwebe
jond's avatar
jond
5,847 posts
 

It’s nice that you're able to have those all on hand and do in home comparisons. I’m a happy Auralic user and I love the LDS app its super intuitive, feature rich, and easy to use.

jjss49's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
jjss49
6,612 posts
 

op

good you are able to try for yourself and find out first hand... too many here don’t have the time, energy or wherewithall to do that...

i find that different dacs and streamers also like different connections better, and some are more sensitive to power feed, as well as network/transfer noise/cabling than others, so it takes some doing to really sort through all the permutations with order and discipline and keep track of it all

gdnrbob
4,449 posts
 

Aurilac offers a great product for the price. One of my friends believes the integrated Streamer/DAC they offer is one of the best performing for $3K.

I am currently using Innous and really like it.

B

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,183 posts
 

Funny…I’m using Benchmark DAC 3 HGC. I’d be interested to hear your thoughts. 
Prior to benchmark I went from Chord Qutest to Bryston BDA-3 to Benchmark. Liked the Benchmark the most. 

zlone
689 posts
 

I have two streamers, a Node 2i and a Pi/Allo DigiOne setup. The Pi system has been offline while I build it into a custom enclosure with a linear power supply and front display. During this time I have listened exclusively to the Node 2i run through a Gungnir MB DAC and after a couple months (slow project) have found myself wondering what was wrong with my system. The soundstage had shrunk, was less detailed and overall the system was a lot less engaging. This weekend I plugged the Pi/Allo system in for some testing and the sun came out, that's what was missing. Very significant difference made by just the streamer. 

More to discover