@nubiann If you have highly resolving gear and a good/great room, then Y E S. Please keep in mind that the streamer and DAC or both in one box will benefit from clean ethernet, (lots of how to on these fora) power, and connects.
ARE SUPER EXPENSIVE STREAMERS REALLY WORTH IT
Folks I am confused why some streamers need to be so eye wateringly expensive. I appreciate the internal basics need to be covered such as a high quality, low noise power supply and a decent processor speed etc.. but that is not rocket science.
So my question is could a decent streamer outputting its data stream via I2S to a good quality DAC receiving the I2S stream be a more cost effective way of rivalling let’s say a streamer costing 5k upwards.
I have heard and digested the argument for expensive streamers quality being centred around the management of the data timing via a quality clock circuit but there are very reasonable in relative terms, DAC’s out there that have dual super high quality temp controlled clocks within, at least the equal or arguably even better than the say a 5k streamer with some sporting dual high end DAC chips etc.
So could utilizing a good quality streamer and a separate high-quality DAC connected via I2S indeed offer significant benefits and potentially reduce the need for a very expensive streamer.
I say this with the knowledge that I2S is designed to preserve and separate the Signals so avoiding the timing issues connected with multiplexing. I2S (Inter-IC Sound) separates the music signal from the timing signal, potentially eliminating jitter or at the very least greatly reducing the possibility for the pesky music killing jitter which we all could agree would lead to improving overall sound quality.
Wouldn’t this separation ensure that the timing information is more accurately preserved, even when compared to a high price streamer, leading as clean or cleaner and more precise audio data output. With I2S, the DAC can use its own high-quality clock/s to synchronize the data, which will reduce jitter and improve sound quality.
Could this possibly mean that even if the streamer has a less advanced clock, the DAC’s superior clock can take over, ensuring best performance.
So bang for buck would it not be advantageous to investing in a high-quality DAC and using a good but not necessarily top-tier streamer to achieve excellent sound quality without the need for an extremely expensive streamer. Surely the DAC’s performance will play a crucial role in the final sound quality.
Play gentle with the pile on please....................
Showing 5 responses by wsrrsw
@nubiann Let's try this a different way. The only base caveat being is that the room and equipment need to be all that or close enough. Many have done this. I did. 1.) Mac book or Computer w/ generic wire into AMP or integrated. 2.) BlueSound w/ generic wire into AMP or integrated. 3.) BlueSound w/ generic wire into AMP or integrated with upgraded power supply and wire 3.A) Better wire 4.) All in one Streamer/DAC ($) into..... 5.) Better ($$) Streamer/DAC or separates and DAC into .... 6.) Filtered ethernet(Network Acoustics or the like) and audio or enterprise switch with very good wire/connects 7.) Better Streamer/DAC ($$$) or separates and DAC into... 8.) All the bells and whistles ($$$$) for a bit more nuance. Only for the best of the best resolving systems. So yes, OP as long as the everything's jake, then a top tier streamer and great DAC or a super duper all in one is copacetic. Chasing down how to get amazing sounding "digital" has a leaning curve and thanks to many here on Agon who are far more knowable than little 'ole me; I believe I now have a digital system that allows hours of pleasure with no fatigue. Got to go....time for my sound bath.
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@grislybutter +another one. Maybe if some folks would use the search bar before reiterating the same old same old.....anyway....No one relishes a rebuke and many find it difficult to be open minded that someone else might have a clue. If I could I'd get The Merging Technologies stack, DCS Apex, T+A Elektroakustik SD 3100 HV or the Aurender MC20&N30SA. |
@vthokie83 With your budget please check out this all in one. The Grimm Mu2.( it also can be a Roon Server). Reasonably (?) priced used DAC's like a Weiss or Holo May KTE would be on my list. (Yes, I have a Weiss and it's not going anywhere). Please consider allocating resources to ethernet filiation, switch and cabling as digital will benefit. |
@vthokie83 The Bacch is all in digital audio. Imagine a horn imagining behind you. Bacch may make having a "super expensive streamer" not so key. It’s rocket science DSP/room correction from a rocket scientist. Audio (use this link) is a side interest of his.
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