For me, swapping out streamers was one of the biggest improvements I've had with my stereo system. I recently upgraded my amp for something 1k more expensive, and it didn't make as big a difference. Here's my streamer post:
Do Streamer only devices really impact sound quality?
From a layman mindset, a streamer transmits electronic information to a dac via coaxial cable or other connection. The electronic information I believe is standardized for all streamers. That said, the streamer itself could not influence the sound quality heard by the audience. I think it is bit-perfect information coming across to the dac.
So for instance a Bluesound 2i vs Cambridge CXN V2 streamer should sound identical with the same connections and equipment used and of course same streaming service and content.
thoughts appreciated if I have this correct?
Showing 4 responses by classdstreamer
@soix The switch I use is the TP-Link TL-SG108-M2. It’s the backbone of my home network. Not audiophile, but it’s fast. My wife didn’t like the idea of a network closet, so I needed something small and fanless to hide behind furniture. It fit the bill. My current ethernet cable is a Supra 8, because it was highly reviewed and affordable. I haven’t started A-B testing ethernet cables yet. I’ve been putting the bulk of my budget into components and component upgrades. What have you found with ethernet cables? |
@soix Yes and yes are the short answers. As you likely know, iFi has 3 levels of power supplies, and it shipped the first level with the Zen Stream. I had an extra iFi iPowerX lying around, so I used that for a while with the ZS. Then I got the itch to try their highest tier of power supply, which I'm currently using. Their highest PSU gave a little extra refinement to the sound. I haven't tried the ZS with the wifi antennas. I went hardwired out of the gate. Farther upstream, I recently upgraded the home network to multi-gig LAN and WAN. Because no audiophile companies have a multi-gig switches out yet, I'm using a TP-Link multi-gig switch directly into the ZS. I wanted to get used to the sound before I reinstalled the optical converters to see if there was any difference converting the network from ethernet to optical right before entering the ZS. Speaking of iFi and optical, have you seen iFi's latest streamer?--the iFi Neo Stream? It comes with a low noise optical converter and optical cable to connect to the optical input on the Neo Stream. I'm interested, but I'm uncertain whether it would be an upgrade for me. |
@soix Like you, I'll use my ears to test, but I also want to try to understand some of the "why" behind what I'm hearing. My understanding is that for coax and ethernet applications, solid core copper is the best industrial option vs stranded copper or copper coated aluminum. E.g. solid core is best for power over ethernet applications like cameras or wifi access points, and solid copper products can also transfer over longer distances. It would make sense to me then that solid core products would benefit sensitive A/V components too. So if you're looking for affordable ethernet cable to test, you may be interested in this oxygen free, solid core copper ethernet cable I found on Amazon. I wired my whole house with it. Once I started buying enough to wire an entire house, it cost about twice as much as the stranded copper alternatives, but I didn't want to skimp out. Hit me up once you start testing ethernet cables. I'll join you. Cat 8 Ethernet Cable 1.5ft Shielded, Indoor&Outdoor, Heavy Duty High Speed Direct Burial 26AWG Cat8 Network Wire, 40Gbps 2000Mhz SFTP Patch Cord, in Wall&Weatherproof RJ45 Cable for Router/Modem/Xbox https://a.co/d/4ZcnKcR |