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Discerning a difference between streamers is difficult...only me or common for all?

I have struggled to appreciate the upgrade to the streamer in my system. A couple years ago I had an Audio Research DAC 8 being fed by a Bluesound Node 2i. I picked up an Aurender N10 and did not appreciate anything so sold the N10. I tried a couple all-in-one units. First was the Aurender A20 and I was happy but curious about dCS. I got a Bartok 2.0 and felt the music was more natural sounding from the Bartok and sold the A20. I have always wanted the Audio Research DAC 9 to match all my other AR gear so got one that showed up on eBay a couple weeks ago. Since I couldn’t use the Bartok to stream I ordered a new Bluesound Node Nano so I could utilize the DAC 9 immediately. The pair sounded wonderful but I did not compare it to the Bartok. I ended up getting a quick buyer and it was already gone. The following week I purchase an Aurender W20. I was prepared to have my mind blown....but no. Some albums I could not tell any difference in the sound and others I think the W20 sounded slightly better but again...nothing huge. For the money and the space the W20 took on my shelf, I sold it. Over the years I always appreciate upgrades for all other components. This makes me feel like I am losing my mind. Have any others experienced this regarding streamers? I want to try more. Auralic and Lumin are on my list.

Thanks,

Dana

dhite71

Showing 3 responses by audioman58

audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,351 posts
 

Why not a Innuos Zenith mk3. It has a cd ripper ,a Nice SS drive  fantastic interface 

3 separate LPS power supplies ,isolation damping everywhere including the Teac cd ripper and SS drive,and excellent iso bearing feet ,and the Excellent  Mundorf Mlytic  capacitors , plus the innuos sense app is very intuitive .

the  Zen with reclocker sounds actually a bit better ,

i use my own Gaia reclocker , the sense app puts folders and playlists together seamlessly and sounds better then Roon which is a big bonus setting up judt hit the app button found and yiu just pick configurations the  most thought out streamer 

I have found to date and this is a bit warmer sounding due to the Mundorf caps .

tip if you want your digital to sound better still Tubulus Audio cables ,they beat cables much more $$ and only true I2S  -Audio cable  the AQ dragon audio only exception ,and the less expensive Tubulus Concentus is much better. And Ethernet cables very good ,always put your best Ethernet cable at your end point- Streamer 

land Router put a good LPS to block incoming noise,Thst cheap wall wart judt ads noise to your audio chain,digital house to house is not grounded !                      Linear Tube Audio-  excellent LPS for $750.

audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,351 posts
 

As Tim what brand digital cables are you using for Ethernet ,usb, ?

audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,351 posts
 

If any one doubts these cable findings  on Tubulus Audio a cut above by a Lot 

just buy them, they have a 30 day return policy very little risk for nice potential results. I recommend the Argentus on up 

I have their Top Ximius and Concentus throughout my digital audio chain .

when there is less timing smear there  is less jitter or digital noise . I have been to over 8 audio clubs on the east coast and two down south  Tubulus is gaining a Sizable following throughout the 🌍 World. Can we all be wrong ,I don’t think so your ears are the most critical instruments  for 🎶 music, I have -0 financial gain the cables are sold Direct only !!

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