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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
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dhite71 OP
331 posts
 

@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.  

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audphile1
5,143 posts
 

@dhite71 nice system! See if your daughter can hear difference between streamers…sounds like she’s got a good ear!

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efoo
97 posts
 

dhite71 I agree with your thoughts on streamers.

I have tried a lot of streamers, dacs and all in ones.

Here are some of the things I have tried:

Bluesound (most of the models)

DCS Bartok

Lumin X1

Lumin P1

Lumin U2

T+A Dac 200 

Berkeley Audio ALPHA DAC 3

I bought most of these used and sold them without losing a lot of money and it has been really fun to try them out.  I am a gear junky LOL.

What I found is that all of these dacs and streamers sound really good with my gear.  I love the Bluesound app which is really good multiple zones. I am sure roon is also good but I have not messed with it since I want the system to be user friendly since my wife uses it as well.

I have settled in with:

Bluesound Node 130, Mcintosh D1100 (DAC/PRE), Mcintosh MC462,

Harbeth 40.3 XD.

I will eventually try the new NODE Icon.

Just as a note, I have been a musician (not professional) for almost 50 years and feel like I have pretty decent ears.

Happy Holidays!

 

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