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

@audphile1

You’re correct in your understanding of the Telegärtner Opt Bridge 1000M. To clarify:

The Telegärtner Opt Bridge 1000M is indeed an optical isolator that performs copper-to-optical-to-copper conversion. It allows for electrical isolation between components in an audio or network system by converting the electrical signal (copper) into an optical signal, which is then reconverted into copper again at the output. This isolation helps to reduce noise, electromagnetic interference (EMI), and ground loop issues, which can degrade audio performance, especially in high-end systems.

As you noted, this can be thought of as a type of optical Ethernet filter. However, the Telegartner unit uses active conversion, which means it’s leveraging electronics to perform the copper-to-fiber and back process, rather than relying purely on passive elements.

This active conversion allows the Telegärtner Opt Bridge 1000M to offer very high quality and precision in the signal transfer, ensuring minimal loss or degradation in the audio signal while providing the electrical isolation that helps with cleaner sound in high-end audio systems. It’s essentially a high-end, purpose-built solution for isolating and optimizing Ethernet signals for audio.

I am hoping this would be my last upgrade as far optimizing streaming to nth degree with the addition of Hypsos Dual Output power supply :-)

 

@lalitk

Can’t take any credit on the amplifier focus at onset as I heard it mentioned originally by Mike Moffat or Schiit Audio. He emphasized some years ago that the DAC craze was out of hand and the changes between varied ones was not that large and more significant gains would be found by focusing on amplification.

Think about it. A guy who at that time was in the DAC business pointing in another direction entirely: amplification. What a legend.

As for the copper ethernet vs. fiber discussion, I’ve made connections and seen how that goes with varied system iterations. Have seen copper beat fiber and vice versa. Think a router from a service like Verizon with fiber-optic internet is easily superior to other offerings and so if that’s available, an entire system review is warranted.