2. digital
  3. 180154-170745

Jay’s Audio CDT3-MK3 wins over Aurender W20SE

In search for digital perfection I’ve continuously upgraded my streamer to find Qobuz nirvana. The streamer’s only competition has been my Audiolab 6000CDT which clearly outperformed any Chord 2go/2yu and the Volumio Primo middle grade streamer. Only after buying the flagship Aurender W20SE did my streamer blow the CD transport out of the water, like burn every CD never going back. But studying hi end CD transports I decided on the Jay’s Audio CDT3-MK3 and it has been a revelation. It’s like I’ve never heard a cd before. It so outperforms the W20SE in detail clarity depth richness of tone it’s astonishing. IMHO CD with a hi-end CD transport is far far better than the absolute best streamer in the world. The W20SE is not going up for sale but will be getting much less use from now on.

I’d be interested in the community’s thoughts about CD vs Streaming.

brandonhifi

Showing 2 responses by jon2020

jon2020's avatar
jon2020
991 posts
 

I am afraid you are comparing apples to oranges.

Playing a CD off a transport should be compared to playing your burnt CD flac files, rather than with streaming. There are too many variables associated with streaming like speed and bandwith peculiar to your home or locale setup, quality of ethernet switch, ethernet cables, ethernet implementation within the dac, etc

If compared to the burnt flac files via usb, again there is the usb implementation within the dac, usb cable quality, etc.

It is quite established today that streaming SQ is generally inferior to that of playing cd"s direct off a transport, or playing flac files off a hard disc either via ethernet or usb, all other things being equal.

If you take streaming out of the comparison, it will be interesting to find out the ranking of SQ with regard to transport, hard drive via ethernet or usb.

Enjoy the SQ of your transport as you rightly should for now.

Cheers!

 

 

jon2020's avatar
jon2020
991 posts
 

I agree with @lalitk that a well mastered recording in any format would sound excellent.

@brandonhifi 

It would be fair to compare the same master recording amongst all formats and come to your own conclusion as to how your money would be next well spent. Once you have concluded what is best for your system and your ears, you will be vindicated by your next purchase of cd's or streaming service. 

This hobby is indeed a journey of discovery of what works best for you. And there can be no regrets for your streaming needs as the W20SE is indeed a top-notch streamer in its own right. So, you already have the best of both worlds in your system but only with the best masters.

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