@goodlistening64 I am aware of reclockers for digital connection between a PC and a DAC. I run Linux on a dedicated PC, with JRiver as the music manager. I dropped $200 on a reclocker and didn't hear a difference.
I've never heard a difference between USB cables either. Bits is bits. If you're not getting the same bit stream with different cables, then you've got a bad cable. If you've ever done any assembly language programming, you'd realize that bit copying is extremely reliable. Sorry. Bits is bits.
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Two streamer brands to add to your list - Lindemann Woodnote Solo Streamer with balanced outputs or Volumio Primo Streamer. If you want the best Volumio streaming system then look at the Volumio Rivo+ with their Lineo5 linear power supply and Volumio Preciso DAC. Lots of YT video reviews on the Volumio options. |
@russbutton You’re totally ignoring the timing of the bits (among other things), which is not an issue with computers but is critical in audio. But you hang onto your “bits is bits” mantra while the rest of us know, and hear, better.
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To add to the comment from @goodlistening64 I’ve tried the DDC combo with a few other streamers and DACs now. Merason DAC1 MK2 Hifi Rose 160 DAC Silent Angel Munich streamer Lumin U2 streamer Audio Mirror Toubadour DAC V Direct USB and direct optical from PC to DDC without a streamer In all combinations the addition of the DDC was a clearly noticeable difference. As far as streamers go, the Hifi Rose was a clear improvement vs the Lumin and the Silent Angel but the direct from PC route wasn’t too bad either. All in all I would say the DDC contributed the most improvement vs the streamers. I returned the Hifi rose DAC and sold the Hifi Rose streamer mostly to reduce rack space. Main Setup - Pathos Synapse, Pathos Adrenalin, Lumin U2, Gaia DDC, Merason DAC1, Rega Aura phonostage, Rega NAIA turntable, Dali Epicon 8 speakers Office Setup - Silent angel Munich, Toubadour V DAC, Gaia DDC, Gold Note 1175 amp, Gold Note 1012 tube buffer, Gold Note 1000 preamp, Focal Diablo Utopia speakers |
This got me thinking about how I make decisions on streamers... and audio equipment in general. Lumin is a well respected for their sound quality, of course as is Aurender. I have done streaming for at least a couple decades. When streamers were being developed that began to, and then exceeded the sound quality of very good CD players I was scanning the field, and trying new products. When I did my last major upgrade about four years ago the clear winner in the streamer arena was Aurender... I already had an N100. So, after comparisons I purchased their flagship. Their flagship model was / is used as reference streamers at audio shows for virtually all companies that do not sell their own streamer. Since purchasing I can attest to their incredible service (right through the streamer... you can give them permission to log on to your streamer at night and troubles shoot it), and their well regarded app. For all practical reasons they only produce streamers and have been leading the industry for over ten years. Since then I continually listen to different streamers in my system, and in other folks system... just to keep abreast of things. So, I’ve heard Rose, Grimm and others. None have bested Aurender at their cost points. So, with that experience, if my house burned down... I’d just call up my dealer and order an Aurender. The audio world is incredibly complex, ambiguous, and steeped in opinions that are very difficult to interpret. So, over the last fifty years I have adopted a strategy of evaluating different products and their company, identifying the very best and purchasing them... then constantly reevaluating their products and the company. Some companies are world class and fall apart, like Nakamichi and go down hill, so they get dropped. Some companies are core companies that build on what they have done and just get better and better. Audio Research, Wilson, Sonus Faber, Boulder, Conrad Johnson. My objective when buying a component is always one and done... make the absolutely best decision possible and take myself out of the market for that component for ten years, until my next upgrade cycle. Then I constantly evaluate how I did. The best way to waste money is to keep trading around looking for what you like. I did that for the first five years pursuing high end audio (in the begining there is not much choice until you learn enough). So when I am presented with good cases for choosing between a company like Aurender and anyone else for a streamer... I verify, but the nod goes to the core company. You don’t know what you don’t know, by buying from the leading company like this, you will learn what you don’t know by finding out that the company you bought from knew and they took that into an account when building your component. Getting a great high end component is not only about being initially happy, but constantly discovering new reasons it is so great... as you learn more about music and sound. A great component just keeps getting better the longer you own it as you discover all its great attributes. With the incredible variety of companies out there, some upstart may have ever so slightly gotten a tiny bit better sound quality (or folks with less experience may think so). The amount of sonic improvement, you may not be able to hear, or that you would need to compare in your system to hear the difference. Or, some quality like, detail may be better, but overall balance may be worse. It is also very likely you will be losing in some other aspect like great service or reliability. If your approach and enjoyment comes from trading around and changing products... well, never mind. I love to listen to music, and would like to get out of the purchase cycle as soon as possible. My typical purchase cycle still take a year... it is still complicated. Although I have enough experience now, I could choose the next level component for my system in a couple days and be right. But I'd still do the research before committing. |
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