Help settle a streaming argument!


This is a SQ argument and is as follows-  I argue if you connect your streamer to an outboard DAC the streamer does not matter it’s just serving the music to the outboard DAC to do the work.  Therefore, buy a basic streamer.  The other is that you need to buy a top quality streamer and DAC to get great SQ. 
 

I liken it to cd players or the more pretentious cd transport argument- if the intent is to connect to outboard DAC the cd player doesn’t matter the outboard DAC DOES!
 

features and functionality aside!  Thoughts…..

polkalover

Showing 2 responses by helomech

Ask this same question on other audio forums and you’re likely to get a very different consensus. The difference lies in the prevailing belief systems adopted by the largest demographic of these forums. Members here generally dismiss the notion that measurements or visual data can reveal the factors that determine the whole of sound quality. Mostly, members here approach the topic from a purely subjective standpoint, even neglecting to level-match the component outputs in most cases. And in some cases, you’ll encounter claims that they conducted blind, level-matched comparisons with a group of friends, when in reality they did nothing of the sort.

However, in the “science-based” forums, you’ll encounter similar claims in support of the opposing stance, again, by those who didn’t really make the painstaking effort to remain objective. 
 

Coincidentally, I’ve yet to encounter a dealer on any of these forums who doesn’t fall into the “all-streamers-sound-different” camp. Perhaps it’s equally ironic that I encounter the “all-streamers-sound-the-same” people in the forums largely populated by budget gear users. 
 

In essence, this is one those questions you ultimately must decide for yourself, relying on whatever comparison controls you deem sufficient. Otherwise, you can consult half a dozen forums and still end up back where you began.

I will point out that those who conduct and trust all known digital data measurement parameters have concluded that any decent budget streamer will perform as good as the high dollar units when paired with external DACs.