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Discerning a difference between streamers is difficult...only me or common for all?

I have struggled to appreciate the upgrade to the streamer in my system. A couple years ago I had an Audio Research DAC 8 being fed by a Bluesound Node 2i. I picked up an Aurender N10 and did not appreciate anything so sold the N10. I tried a couple all-in-one units. First was the Aurender A20 and I was happy but curious about dCS. I got a Bartok 2.0 and felt the music was more natural sounding from the Bartok and sold the A20. I have always wanted the Audio Research DAC 9 to match all my other AR gear so got one that showed up on eBay a couple weeks ago. Since I couldn’t use the Bartok to stream I ordered a new Bluesound Node Nano so I could utilize the DAC 9 immediately. The pair sounded wonderful but I did not compare it to the Bartok. I ended up getting a quick buyer and it was already gone. The following week I purchase an Aurender W20. I was prepared to have my mind blown....but no. Some albums I could not tell any difference in the sound and others I think the W20 sounded slightly better but again...nothing huge. For the money and the space the W20 took on my shelf, I sold it. Over the years I always appreciate upgrades for all other components. This makes me feel like I am losing my mind. Have any others experienced this regarding streamers? I want to try more. Auralic and Lumin are on my list.

Thanks,

Dana

dhite71
dr-boop
85 posts
 

You're not crazy. I have a $2400 streamer and a $500 fed into the same DAC so I can instantly AB and I'm struggling to hear a difference. Or I believe I hear one, only to go back and explore again and poof! The difference is gone or subtle at best.

But I keep trying. I realize we trade in nuance and subtlety in this hobby. If I got a subtle but definite improvement, I would pay good money for it. My system is highly resolving so every bit matters (to me). 

Post removed 
yyzsantabarbara
4,829 posts
 

I had 3 streamers in the house at the same time:

  • Playback Designs STREAM-IF (used only SPDIF not the fibre)
  • Sonore OpticalRendu
  • Lumin X1

They all sounded different, and all sounded great. The fact that the STREAM-IF, using SPDIF, was comparable to the other 2 that used fibre optic shocked me. I think the STREAM-IF uses fibre internally. Whatever the case, all 3 were great but easy to tell that they produced a different sonic result.

I traded in the Lumin X1 for some end game speakers.

I sold the STREAM-IF because I realized that I was never going to spend $24k to buy the Playback Designs Dream DAC after I bought the under $3k Schitt Yggi+ OG DAC. The STREAM-IF hooks up to the Dream DAC via a proprietary streaming fibre link (which I never tested).

I now have 3 Sonore OpticalRendu’s (the oldest version) and I am not looking at any new streaming product. I will use the Rendu until they each die.

BTW - the OpticalRendu’s are going for some low used prices these days.

 

 

yyzsantabarbara
4,829 posts
 

One interesting thing I found in my quest to lower the cost of my gear was that my worst DAC, the Benchmark DAC3B sounds better with the $10 USB cable from Benchmark. I use the DAC3B a lot with a tube headphone amp. It sounds great.

thriftyaudio
38 posts
 

I have been on the streamer/DAC roller coaster for the past year.+  From Cambridge, to Bluesound, to Eversolo, to Schiit, to PS Audio.  I ended up with Innuos Pulse fed by the Innuos Phoenix USB with Cardas Clear cable and a Bricasti M1S2 DAC.  Each step I found some improvement (so did my son and wife).  The Innuos Sense App is also a pleasure to utilize.  I would consider upgrading in the Innuos family, but I have not been able to hear an improvement with their Statement or NG lines over the Pulse/Phoenix combo.  The M1S2 will probably be upgraded when Bricasti issues an upgrade in a few years.

 

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