I would agree that non-data "noise" such as, say, SMPS noise can affect sound quality if and when allowed to enter the analog realm, if you will (usually meaning your DAC’s output section); but would you say that that noise can affect sound quality while within the digital realm
@devinplombier It’s well known that adding an external LPS to streamers that don’t have an internal one meaningfully improves their performance, so yes in that way it affects sound quality in the digital realm. Another example would be the use of galvanic isolation in better and more pricey streamers and DDCs. If noise didn’t interfere with the signal in the digital realm then neither of these things would make a difference. The better/cleaner the digital signal is going into the DAC the better otherwise transports/streamers wouldn’t sound any different, so in that way things like decreasing noise and using better clocks in streamers (and transports) improves sound quality.
As far as mdalton, he’s on record as saying there’s no point in spending more than $2k on a streamer, which is just silly among most anyone here who’s heard one and speaks to his inability to hear those differences. While that’s fine for him, coming here and possibly discouraging others from even trying a pricier streamer by telling people there’s no difference is a disservice to those who may not suffer from his hearing disability, and that’s the real problem. My point is just try for yourself and if you don’t hear an improvement with a better/more expensive streamer then fine, but for most people here it doesn’t play out that way, which is why companies like Innuos, Aurender, Grimm, Antipodes, etc. exist and thrive — it’s not because we’re all fooling ourselves here or because we wanna just throw our $$$ away for no reason.