@cleeds some streamers buffer, some cache. Different technology and design concepts altogether.
Buffering leverages what is typically a small memory area that fills up and outputs data to match the transmission/stream speed. Think of it as your faucet running into a funnel that outputs a stream of data. During that time a lot takes place and it has to take place fast - unpacking the stream, converting it to the signal that your dac would understand, etc.
Caching typically stores the entire result set, in example several albums or a playlist. Caching leverages SSD and varies in capacity. Aurender uses about 240GB of SSD to cache the playlists and albums. Auralic uses about 1GB. When the result is cached, it is a slower process than buffering and yields a better opportunity to process and unpack data slower, using less processing and injecting less garbage into the final result. It essentially downloads the entire album ftom the cloud streaming service and stores it in that cache before sending a much cleaner than buffer data to dac.
Cheaper streamers buffer. Higher end streamers cache. Some higher end streamers buffer but use a healthy buffer area and processing to ensure the data is clean.
What sets the higher end streamers apart from their lower end counterparts is beefier power supplies designed to accommodate larger snd faster processors without taxing the power supplies, larger buffer and caching areas. There are also various means if isolation for LAN and USB inputs/outputs, as well as better clock, etc. Lowering the noise floor and having a clean data output to the dac is key to good sound. So yeah, when people upgrade a SMPS on something like the Node to linear power supply or add an Sbooster LPS to Lumin U1/2 Mini bypassing its SMPS it usually results in better sound due to just lowering the noise floor.
Relationship between Ethernet Switch and SQ
This one will probably invite some withering mockery, but I will ask....
I only stream, and my streamer (Bryston BDP) is fed with an ethernet cable that runs back to my router. Literally back to my router; there are enough output jacks on the router that I have a long run to the streamer and no ethernet switch in the chain (or the house system for that matter). (There is an Eno filter right before the streamer).
I happen to OWN a nice LHY ethernet switch. I am assuming that there is no reason to use it in this configuration, that is, assuming there are noisier switches, and less noisy switches, there is still no net benefit of adding any switch to this chain. But maybe, just maybe, in the metaphysics of electrons that I do not understand, there is some reason why a nice switch prior to the streamer accomplishes something (in theory...I get that I can A/B test and try to fool myself whether I can hear a difference). For the first person with a correct answer, I will mail a nice $600 switch to the address you specify! (JK)
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- 178 posts total
- 178 posts total