Help settle a streaming argument!

polka lover not true 

we routinely compare streamers we sell nad, naim atoll and 432evoservers 

and we have sold aurender sotm innous baetis,and auraylic

all were run usb into many high end dacs 

they all sound different no matter the dac.

Dave and Troy

Audio intellect NJ

US importers 432evo music servers

OP -- I think the answer is fairly simple. If you believe streamers don't make a difference and anyone who thinks these things matter in the digital domain is blinded by some kind of a belief system, then stick with what works for you. Buy the cheapest streamer you can find and live happily ever after. 

@dave777tx 

Hi.  Side bar here.

I have an Innuos Zentih Mk3 and Phoenix USB.  I'm committed to this path so I2S and other methods of sending to 1s and 0s to my Chord Qutest DAC don't interest me.

That being said, do you think I should add the Phoenix NET switch and an audiophile ethernet cable (e.g., AQ Diamond) to the mix?  I am an engineer and I'm having trouble wrapping my head around the concept of spending another $3-4 k to maximize my streaming experience.

Thanks!

OP - I upgraded my 2i with the PD Creative board and added a LPS. Was the out come better than a stock 2i, yes it was. I used the 2i as a steamer only. For years I’ve done a lot of sideways moves with gear and recently decided to bite the bullet actually upgrade my digital front end. After weeks of research I concluded that the streamer would be the first piece to upgrade. Seriously, the Zen Mk 3 completely trounces my 2i/LPS. It really feels like an end game piece of gear for me. No reason to move my DAC out. Stop with the word games and honestly at this point I could care less what you believe. Do the work yourself, you haven’t put enough time into it. Buy a used higher end streamer and try it. If you don’t hear a difference sell it you might lose a little bit of coin or even break even then report back to us. It might be ear opening!

@polkalover 

Just because someone can't explain the reason in actual scientific terms, does not mean that the improvement in sound quality doesn't exist.

Audiophiles use their ears to evaluate whether a given component improves or degrades the sound quality, while polkalovers rely on measurements to tell them what they like.

Of course, you knew this when you asked the question.

Or maybe you actually do believe that the hundreds of thousands of audiophiles that buy expensive streamers or dacs are all fooling themselves and only you know the truth.