Solo streamer

I have to say that the Pro-ject Stream Box S2 Ultra connected to a Denafrips Pontus II DAC sounds surprisingly good for its price. I got it as a starting point expecting to upgrade it. I'll admit ,it looks like a toy, but I'm realizing how good it sounds in comparison to much more expensive equipment.  in last two years, I've been listening to more expensive streamer-DACs to see what spending more money can get. 

A $14.5K dCS Bartok was okay. I was QUITE surprised to come away from that listening session thinking that I liked the sound of my setup better for 1/6 of the price. A $32k dCS Rossiini was good objectively, but it didn't  capture my attention. The only thing that I found that I liked better than my current setup was the Linn Organik DAC in the Klimax network music player. I think you can get the same DAC in a $22k Selekt setup.

@calvinandhobbes

(love your handle!)

your experience is consistent with what I’ve been arguing here: streamers don’t have a sound.  The difference across streamers is just differences in jitter and other noise.  So the best streamers just get out of the way so you can hear your dac, amp, preamp and speakers.  And btw, if you look at the lab reports section of the HiFi News review of your streamer, it has vanishingly low amounts of jitter and other noise.

I agree with those that have suggested the mesh router / network system. This is what I do, using the Netgear Orbi 6 around my house. I initially used a high quality ethernet cable straight from the satellite to my streamer but since have put in a few more steps (switch, etc).

Many streamers with wifi will suffer sonically as wifi is a source of noise, and digital signals are quite delicate and susceptible to noise  

Again, as both a dealer for Cambridge and Aurender, I believe you will be surprised at how much more information you will get from any Aurender.

True story - I once had a customer come in with his CXN V2 (streamer only, using its digital outs) to compare to an N200. Both were hooked up to a T+A DAC 200. We first played a few songs on the CXN v2, then we hooked up the N200. It took all of 10 seconds once the N200 was playing music for the guy say “I’m buying it.” The improvement in clarity, transparency, and soundstage immersion is immediately noticeable.

Do different WiFi extenders sound different? Anyone try more than one?

Thanks,

aldnorab 

Although I’m now really liking my current streamer, I have nothing to lose in trying the Aurender so I probably will let the sale go through.