2. digital
  3. 162566-123175

0s & 1s are all the same aren’t they? Is it really worth paying for a “better” Streamer?

OK, so at the moment I use a Raspberry Pi into a Denafrips DAC.

I’m looking for the best sound I can get, but also to reduce boxes if I can (SQ is the decider), so looking at either an Integrated or Preamp with DAC or buying a Streamer with DAC, which would free me up to buy any Integrated or Pre..

But my question is, fed into the same DAC, do expensive Streamers really sound any better than a Raspberry Pi?    After all, aren’t 0s & 1s just that????

I can buy an Auralic Aries at a good price.  Would I really hear a difference?

I’ve only ever heard 2 expensive Streamers, both Linn.   Wasn’t at all impressed.   All I could hear is that awful smeared Linn house sound.

Is there an outstanding Streamer with Onboard DAC I should go for?



Thanks





singintheblues

Showing 1 response by jbrrp1

jbrrp1
423 posts
 
IME, the digital server is an important part of the system, and choices there can limit the quality of the music your system makes.  I've heard important sonic differences in the following:

Dedicated Win7 computer as source (adequate, but thin sounding)
Roon Nucleus (more detail, a little fuller)
Antipodes DX II (finally, some harmonic meat on the bones that starts to approach analog enjoyment)
Taiko Extreme (Wow.  Beats my turntable.  That's saying something.)

Sure, they all play recognizable music, and I enjoyed the music.  But at each level there was more enjoyment.

These were all heard playing into the same DAC and system.
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