I also have the Onkyo and use it as a transport through a Gustard X16. Until recently, I was also running Amazon Prime HD from my laptop into the Gustard. Cd’s were always somewhat better. Recently I installed a WIIM Pro also running through the Gustard with Optical cable because that’s the only available input. Result, (I also use my wife’s superior ears) Amazon HD App on my Samsung tablet thru WIIM for both of us is a substantial increase in SQ over the Onkyo thru the X16 and also Amazon HD thru the computer. (As of now the Amazon WIIM app is pretty bad for accessing my 4000+ saved files.) The rest of system is Aragon 4004 amp, Van Alstine FET valve Hybrid SL preamp, and Buchhardt 400s speakers.
Digital Dilemma
I purchased an inexpensive Onkyo C-7030 CD Player more as just a transport, but also to use as a benchmark to compare to streaming music on-line. With intentions to get the streamed content to sound as good, if not better, than the CD player could muster.
After sitting my wife down for a listen (she has better ears than me) and playing Tidal, Quboz and then the same tracks on a CD, the CD was the clear winner every time. It also seems the CD playing without using the Gustard R26 DAC didn’t even sound all that much better than when played through the CD Player only, bypassing the R26. That doesn’t say too much for the R26 DAC or alternatively, it says a lot for the DAC in the CD Player!
I am using the R26 as the renderer via a LAN connection that is optically isolated. There are a few filters and adjustments on the DAC, but tweaking those still didn’t get the sound quality up to that of the CD Player.
A lot of you say you have achieved streaming that sounds as good as your analogue systems. What do you think, do I need a betted DAC?