How much difference in Sound quality can be expected from different streamers?


 

I would appreciate very much in obtaining advice on the SQ from different Streamers. I am currently using a good quality vintage DAC (Altis Reference) connecting to Roku 4 (using its Tosslink out to a simple coaxial converter which connects to the coaxial “in” of the DAC). When comparing the SQ of the exact same artist/music through first  CD setup( CECTL0 connecting to the DAC) or second setup (Oppo 105 to DAC) vs ROKU 4 accessing Tidal Master level  at 48KHz, both CD systems provided better SQ with CECTLO the best. I was reading with interest on the forum (4/2/2021)  on DAC and found out that the SQ from different decent DAC does not appear to vary too much; the new DAC may offer connection convenience, but not necessarily SQ. More likely, different CD player or Transport can provide a more obvious difference in SQ than different DAC, like what I had experienced.  Thus I am very interested to seek advice from those who had experience in comparing different streamers. Can high end streamers when accessing Tidal Master level produce much better SQ than Roku 4 if connected to my DAC(at sampling rate of 48KHz)? If so, which ones would you recommend?


moses189

Showing 4 responses by ausaudio

I have not tested 93, but probably 15+, and on some of the DACs I own, I would call the more technical ones, there is no difference, unless intentional. On some of the DACs I own, enjoyable, designed for a certain presentation, but not "technical", they are more impacted by the streamer. This all makes sense once you understand what is happening.
It is subtle, but I would not want to misinterpret my wording. I would not call the DACs "technical" and "enjoyable". For me, normally I enjoy the "technical" DACs, but there are some recordings where I find other DACs more enjoyable. Is it advantageous to keep both?  It is a press on the remote and a volume change. It is not a burden.
Here’s my pecking order among the different streamers I own: sonos zp90, auralic Aries, lumin M1, Roon Nucleus, Soundware 300ref (more of a reclocker with roon capabilities), lumin S1, Grim MU-1. The arrival of the Grim has led me to say goodbye to Vinyl.  It is that good!


That's interesting. Isn't the M1 a digital input integrated amplifier with Class-D amplification (even though they say all digital which Class-D is not). It streams, but is not a streamer. How can you compare those to the others? ....