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Best way to A/B two different streamers

I just purchased a new dedicated streamer after streaming tidal from my computer. I'm using USB to stream from both. Has anyone ever tried using a USB A/B box to switch between streamers to evaluate the differences? I know it would possibly degrade the signal but I'm only looking to hear the differences. My other problem is I only have one high quality USB cable but could use 2 cheaper cables just to hear differences. My DAC and streamer are both in a rack where the cable is hard to reach.

willywonka

Showing 1 response by ghdprentice

ghdprentice
6,469 posts
 

I would not use a switch. Will confound the analysis.

 

After both are broken in I would try one day one then one day another. Do that a couple times to see if there is some really huge difference. Then I would listen to the music from one for a couple weeks. Then switch, listening for a couple weeks. Do this a couple times and the differences at all levels should become obvious. 
 

If you really want to understand the differences at all levels you have to listen to the music and not the equipment and the differences will unfold.

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