750$ Intel NUC vs $6000 Aurender N200: I don't hear the difference

@audphile1 

I’m sure it was unintentional but you misrepresented my position.  I absolutely agree that different DACs sound different, and that the oft-cited measurements of DACs (e.g., by ASR) are woefully inadequate to accurately representing the complexity of the differences in sound.  But the process involving streamers - right up to where a data stream is introduced to the DAC - strikes me as fundamentally different.  There’s digital data, there’s jitter, and other sources of noise, and for these, there are rather straightforward measures.  I base this on my review of a significant number of what I believe to be credible sources - engineers, designers, etc. - who are infinitely smarter than me on the topic.  

I don’t think saying “everything matters” is a rigorous first principle.  A/B comparisons are really, really hard; aural memory sucks; confirmation bias is real.  I don’t fault people who think they hear differences where I doubt they exist.  I believe they are earnest and well-meaning.  We make these same mistakes in all walks of life - our views of people, politics, sports.  But I’m a big believer in starting from a shared set of facts - truths if you will - and I see an opportunity for one here.  So while our failure to come to agreement on this one isn’t a threat to democracy, I do thing it’s a lost opportunity.  

So let’s just agree to disagree, and agree not to move towards tribalism.  (Not saying you were, btw.)  And thanks for your engagement with me, and more importantly, the op. 

 @mclinnguy, you needn’t go all crazy reclocking the signal from your router to your music server if you don’t need to. I put two relatively inexpensive network switches between my CAT6 router and my server, and it really took away any trace of digital glare and harshness that makes streaming music sound less analog than when listening to records or music on tape.

@mdalton interesting point of view and a worthy response to my post above. 👍

@tonywinga

So why am I doing this? Curiosity and the pursuit of better sound.... .........The sound of streaming is top notch- very, very good. I even put a high end power cord on the LPS and heard a difference. I can’t imagine the sound getting better, but I have to know.... ..How good can it get? I want to know.

That is called being an audiophile.

Let us know how your impressions of the K50. Looking forward to it. I am jealous. (well, if it sounds better that is :)

Curiously- why the K50 over the N20? Or other?

you needn’t go all crazy reclocking the signal from your router to your music server if you don’t need to. I put two relatively inexpensive network switches between my CAT6 router and my server, and it really took away any trace of digital glare and harshness that makes streaming music sound less analog than when listening to records or music on tape.

@adasdad When I see what others have done in their streaming chains, this is hardly "all crazy" . I don't plan on getting another ER and cascading them, as many have done- my Cisco switch at $100 is much cheaper than some of the switches one can buy, I just got it so I can try optical. But the thing is - how does one know if one "doesn't need to" or not? From experience, one doesn't know there is glare or hash there until they hear their system with it removed. One thinks their system is glare free, and then they try ________ and the music is even smoother.

But yes, I don't need to do anything. My system sounds fantastic. I just want to. Let me ramble for a bit: 

Read about about another streamer that is rather new: the Jcat XACT-S1. It has gotten some rave reviews, just like the Grimm MU1 did. Without checking exactly I believe it is about the same price as the K50 Tonywinga is going to try. The designer/owner then suggests one should use 2 of them- the first one as a switch, into the second one used as the endpoint. Sure, sign me up! Seriously, I think that is crazy because I don't have $25000 burning a hole in my pocket, but to others that is cheaper than the Taiko, and if it sounds better than it is a bargain to them. 

My comment above to Tonywinga-, and you stated it above as well- we try it- we check it out with our ears- if it works better we keep it, if not, we sell it - this is being an audiophile.