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

I know my title is extreme and realize that many experience just as you.  I could tell more differences between the different DACs I had over the years with the Node 2i.  I went through Schiit Gumby and Yggy and then the AR DAC 8 and a 7.  I suppose it's a blessing as I am happy with a $300 streamer haha

The funny thing is that when I had the Node 2i, I got a few different coax cables and could distinguish a big difference between the 25yo Audioquest cable I had compared to the newer AQ Carbon I switched to.  

For this set up I got a new AQ Cinnamon coax.  I also tried a Carbon XLR cable with the W20 and did not appreciate anything between that and the Cinnamon.

I heard more between the A20 and the Bartok....guessing that was more comparing DACs than their respective streaming.

I never thought about the music format/quality

100% of my streaming is done from Qobuz

@lalitk 

I would not have ever thought that a single mfg system would be less revealing for the source components.  Since I got serious about my system about 6 years ago I have had an all ARC system.  I do appreciate major differences with phono cartridges...it is almost as big of a change as speakers.  I have a local audio friend with an Auralic streamer that has agreed to bring over to compare.  I like buying used gear at a reasonable price and living with it for a while and then selling if not impressed.  I need to get more familiar with what else is out there in the streamer world and try another.  It's fun and maddening at times...but mostly fun :)

To your strategy of abandoning the house sound of certain mfg, I cannot fathom the idea of starting over with everything.  Overall I love the sound my system generates but am always looking for that bump upward

Thanks everyone for the reassurance as I feel this digital world is a bit unique in how we can build a great system

I know @ghdprentice has had a different experience as I have read his posts of how his system improved with each advancement of streamer

someone mentioned pianos and how they can pose challenges for systems in their reproduction of the natural sound.  I mainly listen to classic rock, jazz, r&b and blues so maybe my music taste is also not as demanding.

there is also no one size fits all or even one shoe works for all

on a side note, my favorite 2nd cousin(same age)brought her husband and 3 kids to my home for thanksgiving and her oldest daughter(20)was blown away at my 1500 records and I am excited to put together a bundle of records for her as a Christmas gift...my heart will always be in the groove

@audphile1 I did create my virtual system and listed my components but did not see a way to upload a picture. The field is there but nothing to click

I am now comparing coax cables from the Node Nano to the DAC 9. My initial purchase was for an Audioquest Cinnamon as it was inexpensive and allowed me to set up the Nano immediately.

A friend that utilizes USB brought over his two coax that he had in storage

Audioquest Carbon

Clearer Audio Silver-Line Optimus Reference

I am appreciating about the same level of improvement, possibly a bit more going all the way to the Clearer Audio.

I am currently listening to Sting and at the 1 min mark on Seven Days the music picks up its pace and was bright with some ear fatigue with the Cinnamon. The Carbon calmed it down to be enjoyable but still a bit bright. The Clearer Audio completely smoothed out the sound to be more like vinyl. My friend has better ears than I and we compared together the other night and he had the same feelings about the differences. I am thinking now to pick up a few more cables that offer a trial period to extend the shootout. Audio Envy and Snake River are a couple contenders.

Why would you even consider calling BS on someone’s experience. We are in such a subjective arena here and all any of us can do is trust our ears. What’s good for one may not be for another...happens all the time.

This has been an enjoyable discussion to learn of others' experiences.  I definitely feel more confident but still puzzled that these Aurender streamers are not showing more of an improvement in my system.  I enjoy trying new equipment so will look at other brands when it makes sense.  For now, I am enjoying the cable upgrade, I just talked to Captain at Audio Envy and ordered his coax.

Some additional insight was offered by Aurender tech support.  I owned an A20 for about a year and had spoke to and emailed them a few times throughout my ownership.  Their support/service is top notch.  They felt that since I only had the Audioquest Cinnamon when using the W20 that I never was able to realize its full potential.  Unfortunately I didn't yet have access to the Clearer Audio Silver Line cable that sounds so good with the Node Nano.  

I ordered the Audio Envy digital coax and the Snake River Boomslang today so will have more cables to audition in the next week or so.  

Whatever cable I end up with I am sure I will try more streamers over time...maybe even another Aurender like the N20 or W20SE.  That is one thing I enjoy about the used market.  I am fine with buying and selling a piece of equipment like that and sometimes you may lose a few hundred or may even make a few hundred.

@mclinnguy 

I do listen to all those artists you listed.  I do not listen to classical and that is what I wondered about as I see where people here and reviewers talk about how demanding this music is to be accurately reproduced.  I don't have a specific song or set of songs....I typically just listen as I normally would and when there is a section of a song that has really nice vocals and separation of instruments or whatever comes across as really nice, I will start comparing.  Regardless, it is always a good recording when doing any comparison.  

@audphile1  Not sure why I had trouble initially but saw the upload image field this evening so added a photo.  

My 12yo daughter listens to music with me all the time since she was a toddler.  I haven't ever got her to compare sounds between any components.  Whenever she sits on the loveseat with me she is just listening to enjoy the music, never analyzing of course.  I had her sit in the prime spot this afternoon to compare a $130 digital coax to this $1300 Clearer Audio that continues to impress me.  I did not bias her in any way, just said that I wanted her to listen to a song two times to compare a cable.  I played the song twice with the Clearer Audio and then the other twice.  She said without reservation that she could hear things more easily in the first one...it was Dr. Heckyll & Mr. Jive and she could hear the little ticks in the beginning more clearly.  She also said the first one 'just sounded better'.  This was another song where the cheaper cables sound bright/harsh to my ears.  It was pretty cool that she could hear a difference.  I have read some reviews of this Clearer Audio cable and a reviewer actually said he thought this was the most important cable in his system between the streamer and DAC.