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

Speaking in generalities, the differences between most audiophile components are subtle.  Listeners can a make a big deal about those differences, but they are still subtle.  Good sound doesn't have to be very expensive.  Great sound is a different story.

@dhite71

I can relate to your experience with ARC components. Your observations aligns with the design philosophy of brands like Audio Research (ARC) and McIntosh. Both have a “house sound” that tends to smooth over external influences, ensuring system synergy and a cohesive listening experience.

The ARC DAC9, for instance is praised for its refined, slightly warm, and musical sound, but it doesn’t let the personality of upstream components—like streamers—dominate the overall presentation. This can indeed feel like a blessing if you’re aiming for consistency, as it prevents potential mismatches or overly analytical sources from disrupting ARC’s characteristic musicality. On the flip side, it might feel limiting or frustrating at times if you’re trying to extract the unique tonal nuances of a particularly expressive streamer.

Similarly, McIntosh gear is known for its “house sound,” which is often described as lush, smooth, and forgiving. This sonic signature can veil or homogenize certain upstream subtleties, but it contributes to the brand’s famous ease of listening and fatigue-free performance.

In both cases, it’s a testament to these brands’ commitment to their sonic identity, ensuring that the listener always gets an experience that aligns with their philosophy, regardless of what sits in the signal chain before them.

Would you say this neutrality has been a benefit in your system, or do you miss the opportunity to experiment with a more “colorful” front end?

I experimented with both brands for extended period of time and gave them up for the reasons outlined above :-)

@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

@dhite71 

By no means, I expect or suggesting otherwise for you to start over. I was just sharing my perspective and experience with two iconic brands. Personally, I like to diversify and appreciate the nuances each component brings to the game so I sold off entire ARC system (Ref 6, DAC9 and GS150).

Coming back to your post, I recently sold off a $25K streamer in favor of a built-in Roon endpoint + Core + DAC. I couldn’t justify its existence in a direct shoot-out. Instead, I decided to focus on improving the signal quality ahead of streamer that has netted much bigger delta. There are few threads here that outlines improving wired signal to your streamer which is much likely to improve overall SQ of your existing streamer. If I were you, that’s where I should focus on instead of chasing down uber-expensive streamers. Cheers! 

OP,

I know we have discussed this off line. Sounds like you have a great opportunity to get the sound you are looking for at a very low cost. I wish that was true for me. So, just exploring until you find what really pleases you sounds like a sound strategy for you.