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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
rikkipuu's avatar
rikkipuu
278 posts
 

I am surprised so many don't hear a difference in streamers, particularly comparing those with big price differences.  I wonder if "noise" might be veiling the differences.  EMI, RFI, ground plane noise and jitter are like grease on an optical lens, it hides the difference in a cheap and a quality set of optics.  After significant upgrades to my DAC and Streamer I still noticed a level of glare and lack of resolution that responded favorably to extensive noise control.

I also agree with @mitch2 on the effect of the Sonore SignatureRendu.  I was using an UltraRendu to utilize the Ethernet output of my streamer which I preferred to USB.  Replacing the UltraRendu with a SignatureRendu was a WOW moment.  Of all the upgrades and changes I have made the SignatureRendu takes the cake.

ricred1
2,043 posts
 

I’ve heard bigger differences between music servers than DACs, with the exception of when I had the DCS Rossini APEX DAC.

lanx0003
860 posts
 

I heard noticeable differences in SQ among three modestly priced but capable streamers: CA MXN10, IFi ZS and Wiim Ultra in my humble system.  All were tested with an external dac.

sls883
395 posts
 

@lanx0003 What was your opinion of the Wiim Ultra?  I snagged one on a black Friday deal.  It's for my son for Christmas.  I was impressed by the size and weight of the box (I haven't opened it). I expected something much smaller and lighter. 

tkunau
12 posts
 

During COVID, I built a series of Roon endpoints with Raspberry Pis (of various types, 3/4/5), some with screens, and some with 'hats' providing DAC service. (The NanoSound Pi case with internal I2S DAC was comparatively warm and still in use as a nearfield desktop speaker endpoint for a pair of SVS powered monitors.) With the others, I swapped out a series of Topping DACs (D10s, E70 Velvet, et al.) with steady improvement. All external options improved upon the internal DAC on my integrated NAD c368. 

Recently I purchased the WiiM Ultra (well-reviewed by amirm). I tested with the internal DAC, the CoAxial into the NAD, and SPIDF to the Topping Velvet. The Ultra's internal DAC and the Velvet were very good and noticeably an improvement over the NAD internal DAC on A/B testing. With room compensation enabled, I've settled on the Ultra's internal DAC, and I believe it is a distinct improvement in separation and image through my KEF LS50 metas. For now. :-) 

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