Streamer upgrade? follow up.


I posted the first part of this earlier in the week. There are a few other threads running concurrently here about this same subject.This is my personal experience with this situation.Ive been using a Aurender A100 streamer/dac which is they’re entry level unit, the SQ wasn’t horrible but I was pretty sure I could get it better.In a attempt to do that I purchased a Denafrips Pontus two and a DhLabs Mirage Usb cable to use with the A100 utilizing its Usb out.The two local hi fi dealers here in SO Cal both told me this would not produce much of an result and in my opinion after trying it they were both correct. So… as I stated in the first post I was coming from a “bit is bits” perspective which was I was convinced adding a better Dac would accomplish my goals, I just couldn’t believe that the zeros and ones  could possibly effect the quality of sound. But not being one to give up I decided in for penny in for a pound Id see for myself if there was anything to the other side of this conversation, I wanted a new toy for Xmas anyway.So I traded my A100 plus some cash to TMR ( nice people btw) for a shiny new Aurender N200 which arrived yesterday. Last night the moment of truth, I hooked up the new unit with the exact same everything as before in my system nothing different but the streamer.I let the tubes and everything else warm up for a few hours,picked a song I knew inside and out sat down and pressed play. Immediately within the first few notes of the Stones “ Wild Horses “ I knew I had made the right choice and that I was wrong believing  bits are bits “. I really don’t have adequate language to describe the difference in sound quality other than to say I feel like Im in someone else’s home listening to they’re far superior system, its that drastic.I can with complete confidence say this has got to be one of if not the most significant upgrades Ive made in my system, scouts honor!              PS. Grinin ear to ear here.                                                            

bikeboy52

@lalitk

Good points. There are numerous testimonials from posters on this and other audio forums citing improvement when moving from entry level to higher quality servers/streamers. It isn’t a new revelation. Confirmation bias works in two directions. People can convince themselves that something can’t possibly work or make a positive difference, mind completely made up in that regard.

When listeners report hearing improved sound quality why the skepticism and suspicion? Why do their claims require “objective “ tests for verification and legitimacy? Where is the logic?

Charles

@ianrmack +1w Ketchup. Im a building contractor.we’ve got a whole area in our shop w equipment to chip/drill masonry,bits up to 48 inches long.The 21st century is a great time to be alive we’ve got all sorts of technology available to us to make our lives better and easier.but you know, you gotta be open to it.

@charles1dad 

I couldn’t agree with you more! I believe it’s the mindset that if I use Node as a transport to transmit bits then a more expensive streamer won’t matter 😊

In all the time I've been on various audiophile forums don't recall a single instance of audiophile subjectivist going over to the dark side. Can't even begin to tell you how many moved in opposite direction.

 

I'd like to see a single documented case of someone going from audiophile streamer to general service computer used as streamer and preferring it. And if its all one and zeros why even use anything other than any old laptop, can't imagine anything more convenient.

This is great ad for Aurender N200 which I will never ever spend my money on 

what’s the op experience coming to streaming? 
Aurender , auralic is a joke 

they are the first streamer/ dac recommended by 99% of people here and most of this guys are dealers and so on