I am also wondering, what would be the benefit of a dedicated streamer, compared to the solution I use now - an ethernet-connected Thinkpad T14 with USB to my DAC. Subjectively I don't notice any problems with the laptop as streamer.
Do I Need a Dedicated Streamer?
Hello everyone,
As the title states, I am still unsure of if I need a dedicated streamer and if it would increase the fidelity of my music compared to how I am listening at the moment. Which is using AirPlay 2 from my iPhone to my Hegel H590 Integrated amp.
I know that the DAC in the Hegel H590 is considered quite good and it was one of the reasons that I bought the amplifier to begin with. However, would I get a better input using a dedicated streamer for around $1000 (such as the Cambridge CXNV2 for example) or would I be better off leaving things as is?
I am just not sure if airplaying music to the Hegel is degrading the signal in comparison to a streamer that would pull its own data and send it directly to the amplifier? Also, would improving my router placement and wifi signal make any difference to the sound since my Hegel is hardwired using a mesh wifi system?
I am open to switching streaming platforms if I can gain something out of it such as resolution but I’m not sure if apple music is the issue in any of this.
If the answer to the title is a no. I am curious what I would need to take the quality of my listening experience to the next level or where money would be better spent to achieve that. I do have acoustic panels in my room and have done my fair share of research on speaker placement already.
The only thing that I have been considering in the near-future would have to be the isoacoustics gaia 1 feet.
My equipment:
Hegel H590 Integrated
KEF Reference 5 Meta
Metra Velox Speaker Cables
Thanks for reading.
Showing 4 responses by o_holter
@yage - "There's no advantage to using a wired Ethernet connection vs Wi-Fi. As long as you're not hearing dropouts or glitches during playback then your network is performing fine." Hmm - well yes - but there are different opinions. Some say that the streamer means a lot. And I have not seen anyone who had the choice between wired ethernet vs wireless who says it sounds better with wireless so I'll use that. |
"if the data gets to the DAC without any errors, then there's no logical reason for one transmission mode to be better than another." Yes - but maybe there are reasons, nevertheless? Why do people insist that streamers make a change? What are the reliable, objective sound improvements with a better streamer? |
I do get the idea that better-built DACs offer better sound. But streamers? As long as the input is right, no stuttering, not much noise, etc? I'd like to invest in a streamer if I was sure it actually performed better than my laptop. And a clear description of how I would relieably hear the difference. If not, I will probably use my money on a better DAC, instead. |