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Distinctly Digital Forever?

Something always made me believe that a decent tube preamp could "mellow" or "naturalize" the sound of digital sources. But this doesn't seem to be so. OTOH, maybe there are DACS out there that not only convert to analog, but actually make digital source components sound like analog sources? So, just to further my understanding: assuming price no object, does there exist any DAC, or DAC/Pre combo, capable of making my streamer (or the best streamer in existence, for that matter) sound indistinguishable from an FM radio signal, given each "playing" the same recording at the same volume with the same EQ?

hickamore

Showing 2 responses by pokey77

pokey77
1,260 posts
 

@hickamore 

What I meant to say was you'd be surprised how important the network side of the system is; meaning from where the internet enters your house, to the router, through walls or however it gets to your streamer. All the cable, all the power supplies for routers, switches, etc, are all important. And the power cords for the power supplies, etc. Good luck.

pokey77
1,260 posts
 

I do think there are DACs that can get you where you want to go. But one thing I've not seen mentioned is the signal chain from your internet provider to your DAC or streamer. You can find abundant SQ upgrades by employing something like an Uptone Audio ER or Network Acoustics filter (they make three, see their website). Also replacing the wall wart power supplies for your Router, modem, etc. will yield big gains as well as Network cable. There are a number of recent threads on the topic as this is very much on the minds of folks in the digital forum.

I'm digital forever (haven't had a TT for over 30 years) and all of these items I mentioned above have helped me as well as a multitude of people in their search to get better sound from their digital front ends. You'd be surprised how much of a difference the network connection from the wall to your streamer can make in the hunt for better sound.

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