Computer Audio..Stream or download?

Hey JI35,

You may already know this, I just found out that Aesthetix ready to ship Pandora with 'Eclipse' upgrade. The retail went up 3K from Signature Edition.

Here is the article -

We are pleased to announce the official launch of Aesthetix Saturn Eclipse components. Saturn series are classic, high value components, and their performance has risen to new heights with the amazing StealthCaps capacitors as found in their IO Eclipse and Callisto Eclipse.

Saturn Eclipse components include
Calypso Eclipse line stage
Janus Eclipse full function preamp
Rhea Eclipse phono stage
Pandora Eclipse DAC
Romulus Eclipse DAC/CD Player

StealthCap Capacitors:
Highly regarded for their ability to dramatically reduce reflections, resulting in a quieter sonic background, richer and more detailed spatial imaging, time focused musical coherence, and a broader more impactful dynamic range.

Acoustically-Damped Chassis:
Delivering new levels of articulation and clarity by improving the damping of the audio chassis and the transformer/power supply cover.

Enhanced Transformer Isolation:
As a result of our recent research into internal power supplies, the Saturn Eclipse utilizes a new mounting for its multiple transformers, enhancing isolation to further increase dynamic range.

Lalitk - I stream and download and have the following setup

iMac,
- using iTunes for library management and playback controls
- using Audirvana for actual digital streaming of digital files
>>> Audirvana will either play DSD files or convert on the fly and since my DAC does not do DSD I simply allow it to convert
- Ethernet cables - not wireless

Remote control of iTunes via a Droid app - Retune
- nice display that replicates iTunes views of tracks - by artist, album etc...

USB into a v-link192 usb-spdif converter

SPDIF into a Schiit Bifrost DAC

Extremely high quality analogue and digital IC's from KLE Innovations

My own DIY power cables - extremely good

Special split USB cable with separate cables for USB power and data joined at the DAC

The quality is outstanding and every bit as good as my analogue rig

Even digital radio stations sound very good

Hope that helps :-)

Thank you for the detailed setup....and WOW!! You're really jumping through some hoops to get the digital music right.

I just bought Cambridge Azur 851N...it's pretty much plug n play and a very decent sound.

Tidal rocks. I feel for those who have not discovered it yet. I got my new absolute sound this month, sat in front of the rig with a glass of wine. Every recommendation of a song I read was on Tidal and I got to play it, uncompressed, while I was reading the article. TOO COOL.
There are three ways to use Tidal. You can use the web player and usb to your dac (I found this was the poorest way as it was dependent on throughput, pecularities of the OS, traffic, etc). The 2nd way I found is to download the todal player, which allows you to stream without using your broweser (chrome), which is more stable against dropouts. I have found the BEST way is through a 3rd party player with a 3rd party app, such as ickstream. I am suing a Logitech transporter (reclocked, upsampled) and its killer. The auralic is pretty sweet as well and I can't wait to here the uber high end intros (brumester, etc). Tidal, my friends, rules.

I agree, Tidal streaming is pretty awesome.