2. digital
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Are all streamers the same?

Dogma says they’re all the same. Experience suggests otherwise. Price may or may not be guide. Are there solid tech reasons such as bleed of noise into the digital signal? What does “it’s all about the ‘implementation’”really mean? How come power cords and interconnects make a difference? For example, there are numerous USB cords that separate the power from the signal cables to minimize interference and noise transference.

Why don’t we have an accepted science of audio, as yet? Where’s the research compilation esp at textbook level? Yes I’m happy just listening and using my ears and my biases to make judgments; no problem.

Yet I continue to see dogma, from the USA and Europe, indeed everywhere, that remains steadfast in their disbelief in variances. It becomes tiresome at times. But hey what do I care? Lol, my pursuit of fidelity and knowledge remain equally strong.

128x128johnread57

Showing 1 response by mitch2

mitch2
4,134 posts
 

@jji666 makes a good point about there being a difference between a server and a streamer.  In the Roon world, the server operates Roon Core and selects and/or stores music files while the streamer (or Roon endpoint) interfaces with a DAC.  All servers are basically computers.

In my experience, having a server connected to my home network, at a location away from my audio systems, and connected to my streamer using an optical cable, has resulted in zero sonic difference being noticed between the three servers I have had in my system over the past year.  

OTOH, switching from a Metrum Acoustics Ambre streamer (a Raspberry Pi device with LPS and femto clocks) to a Sonore Signature Rendu SE Optical resulted in a noticeable improvement in the sound of my system.  With the Sonore streamer, I perceive a richer tonality and greater dimensionality, which results in a more natural and musical presentation. 

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