Streamer creates a Wow experience
I started streaming by running USB from my iPad to my DAC using Qobuz, and I thought it sounded pretty good and was happy. Then I compared this to playing CDs and much to my dismay I slightly preferred the CDs. This was a depressing moment. So I reached out to you guys and several of you assured me if I got a dedicated streamer it’d be much better, and while I always believed a streamer is important and can make a difference I still found myself a little skeptical how much improvement there would be.
So I decided to heed the advice here and after some research got an iFi Zen Stream with their upgraded power supply. After getting the Zen linked to my WiFi and using mconnectHD to be able to stream Qobuz through the iFi — Holy Crap!!! I expected some improvement but I was not prepared for the huge leap in sound quality I was hearing. Every aspect of sound improved markedly and my jaw was on the floor.
Anyway, you guys were so right in assuring me a streamer would make all the difference. And this is through my HeadFi rig and can’t wait to hear what this sounds like on the big rig. Thanks for your helpful advice and getting me through this. I’m one shocked and very happy camper.
I love reading posts like this. What DAC(s) are you feeding the iFi, and do you feel it is now close or even better to your CD playback? I love demoing high quality streamer/servers for people to prove that bits are not just bits. That jaw-dropping moment you mention is one I often see when I work with customers and friends who do not yet understand what a quality streamer/server can do. |
@blisshifi I’m feeding the Zen Stream into a Musician Pegasus, and its not even close — the streaming is now far superior to CD. Didn’t see that comin’, at least not to this degree. My next move is to get a Singxer SU6 DDC so I can switch to the I2s Input on my Pegasus. You must have lots of fun watching reactions of people hearing a good streamer for the first time. |
@sns I will put my bet on digital file serving (on a local high-performance music server) to be the de facto standard for high resolution / high fidelity playback. Even though streaming using high quality Ethernet/optical and quality switches/reclockers get very close, the shortest path will always likely win. I do have faith. In the last year I reached a reference grade with my digital setup, using the Aurender N30SA server/streamer going into the T+A SDV 3100 HV DAC preamp. Using the Synergistic Research Ethernet Switch UEF and DH Labs Reunion Ethernet cables improved the quality of streaming to get it close to the local files stored on the Aurender, but local files still win. Both are generally equal if not most times better than my vinyl rig, which at about a $60K MSRP is no slouch either. But digital will just continue to get better, and I can’t say the same for vinyl. But who knows what the future holds? |
