Why are so many people spending so much money to build “perfect” streaming system?

@jssmith If you understand that then you should also understand that the product of noise and jitter is distortion. And the levels of distortion that are audible can be measured and have been known for many decades. And almost all digital devices are below those distortion levels. No one disputes that humans can't hear 50kHz. Why do people dispute that they can hear inaudible distortion?

Possibly correct when it comes to the effects of RFI/EMI, not sure. Not correct in the case of jitter. Jitter is measurable and the effect is measurable, but jitter is not about additional noise, audible or not, but rather distortion of the sound itself by smearing the timing. If measurements are your thing, we can look to the ever controversial ASR team and their review of the Allo DigiOne that I am using:

Amir gives this device a high rating based on jitter measurements. Jitter, or lack thereof, is audible, if you have the system and the ears to hear it.

... The Wilm unit will absolutely “cut it” for the “bits are bits “ adherents...

Charles,

I actually want wiim to sound good, at least closer to the IFi ZS, so I can keep / enjoy it. It is very affordable and the UI programming is brilliant given its compact size.  What makes it not sound as good if it does satisfy all the digital source requirements, your thoughts?

I guess that this thread was destined to implode.

Enjoy the New Year..

@lanx0003

What makes it not sound as good if it does satisfy all the digital source requirements, your thoughts?

That is for you to decide. So definitely listen to it and develop a judgment of what you hear. If it does satisfy you sonically, then good outcome for you. My position is that people can usually experience better sound quality with more ambitious higher level audio streamers.

I do recognize that for some this isn’t so because “bits are bits “ and nothing more matters given this mindset. A computer/NUC is equal to (Maybe better) a purposeful built music server/player. Find out for yourself by listening.

Charles

Do you mean rather than measuring and correcting for the vibration of a needle through a rough groove? The original cars were electric and would have remained that way if battery tech was there. If streaming was the first source of music, NO other forms of delivery would ever have ever existed. One believes Shannon's proven paper ... because it is proven.