You’re kinda of comparing apples and oranges when comparing a network card which is Ethernet based and a dedicated streamer that is USB based to the Dac. I had a Bricasti M3 w/network card and switched to a Melco server/streamer. The Network card made for a much cleaner solution but the Melco was a nice upgrade in streaming.
Of course there is different cabling involved and the difference between Ethernet and USB but I think the Bricasti M3 will always benefit from a high quality streamer.
Why I Sold My Aurender N200
People seemed more interested in why I sold my N200 than wanted to answer my questions in my last post on streaming quality, so here ya go:
I recently sat down with my wife (who has a much better ear for sound quality than I) and we A/B tested back and forth between listening to the N200 and the Bricasti M1 SE II’s network card and heard no difference.
Just before selling the N200 I contacted a very well-known and reputable dealer for his opinion on this. If anyone would know about the sound quality of streaming, he would and I asked what streamer he would recommend. He sells Bricasti, Playback Design, Lumin and Grimm streamers. his response to me was:
"In my humble opinion, there is no need to get a dedicated streamer if you have the network board in the Bricasti"
Most member’s comments are very positive on their N200, maybe you guys have much better ears than us, so please enjoy, but in my case, I sold it and gave the much-needed funds to my daughter who is just about to start her last semester at law school.
End of story.
Hope you all had wonderful Christmas and here’s wishing you all a Happy New Year!
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Thank you all for your informative comments and kind words. Some say the more money you throw at it, the better it will sound (especially when it comes to Aurender) but @marco1 says it best: The only way to know is by putting it in your system and listening for yourself. |
“Some say the more money you throw at it, the better it will sound (especially when it comes to Aurender)” That’s has not been my experience regardless of brand and Aurender is no exception. I have come to an understanding that the relationship between cost and sound quality isn’t always linear. There are numerous factors one must take into account such as system synergy, choice of downstream or upstream components, room acoustics, tweaks and personal listening preferences….they all play significant roles in the overall perceived improvement. While higher-priced models often incorporate advanced tech and superior parts that can enhance performance, the actual degree of auditory benefits may vary given each listeners audio system and listening skills. |
@lalitk +1 (sorry, but I wasn't referring to you) |
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