2. amps-preamps
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streaming and audiophile stereo

I have heard it said that an audio system is only as good as its weakest link. I want to complete a system that will give me access to lots of music by Tidal and Roon, and I want the music played through some true audiophile components.  I am used to tube preamps, and will probably go that way again, though ss remains a possibility.  The speakers I intend to use are very efficient - 20 watts of amplification would be ample.  Here's my question:  in such a system, how important, and how variable, are the audio qualities of the digital source component - the streamer - at the front end?  If it does MQA does that alone mean it is the highest quality audio possible at this end of the system?  Or do some that accommodate MQA provide better sound than others that also accommodate MQA?  I see lots of reviews of features of these components, but not much about their individual sonic qualities.  Leaving aside features and convenience, are some better sounding than others and would this depend entirely on the DAC used?

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ghdprentice
7,235 posts
 

@russbutton

 

You are correct that bits a bits. File transfer protocols will assure you that a file in one place is exactly that, bit for a bit,  the same as in an another location. Also, the DAC is a very important component of your system. However, it is also true that the streamer is just as important as the deck, or any other component.

 

I have extensive experience with, for instance, a MacBook Pro, running on batteries, optimize for streaming, the Aurender,, and 100, the Aurender, and 10, and the Aurender W20SE, all using the same excellent quality DAC. Each in sequence sounds very significantly better than the previous one. This is true either through USB connection or through other digital connections. There are a number of reasons for this, including noise suppression, isolation, and I’m sure many others. But they sound very different, and the better the streamer, the better the sound..

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,402 posts
 

Bits are bits by design when transmitted on a computer network, but it’s when the digital data hits the DAC where things become interesting in regards to sound quality.

There the bits undergo conversion to analogue. That’s where noise and jitter can come into play.

With the technology available 10 years ago that was more of a problem practically in many cases. These days, not so much with most good quality dacs. The technology has matured to the point that it should not be an issue anymore  in most cases with most any decent quality dac.

 

strawj's avatar
strawj
79 posts
 

Speakers, power, Cables, ETHERNET Cable.

dinov's avatar
dinov
846 posts
 

Huge! I went from a bluesound node to an Esoteric network streamer and I’m here to tell you that they don’t even compare. Don’t skimp on a good streamer. Lumin, Esoteric, but if your budget really can’t handle that, a node with at least a linear power supply upgrade. I was in that camp for many years until I took the plunge.

paulmorehead
2 posts
 

Fascinating discussion. Thank you, everyone. I am still using my MacBook Pro but I will investigate the streamers mentioned in your comments. My Mac sounds about as good as the BlueSound Node 2 to my ears with my Mytek DAC. Regarding MQA it is not always better, but listen to Dear Prudence on Tidal with and without MQA and it is like a different song. Same with Jackson Browne For a Dancer. No comparison. The MQA version is far superior. So we trust our ears, as everyone expressed. 

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