Sound quality differences in streamers

@mdalton 

If I recall correctly, we’ve been down this path with you before. You post an incredibly rude comment and then pretend to apologize for it in the guise of being “helpful”.

Additionally - if I recall correctly - you’re a vinyl person with no actual direct experience with better streamers. You are voicing an opinion based on what you believe to be true, and/or what cannot possibly be true.

I understand and respect differing opinions about the merits of particular gear and different budget priorities. Share away and I will hope to learn something from you. 

However, throwing out insulting comments based on an ill-informed opinions doesn’t do anything to advance our community - or bring any joy (the reason we listen to music). It just creates angst in this community. An opinion is ill-informed when it is based on a lack of experience, and/or lacks an adequate technical basis of support.

Interestingly, the possibility exists for you to be correct. But as you’ve only an opinion based on belief - not direct, thoughtful experience - that value is completely lost. Only the harm remains. Equally sad is that you have rejected the possibility that you could be mistaken. Your dogma is preventing you from the exploration of “how, why, and what if”. 

If you have any curiosity, you might go to the Positive Feedback site and look for a review of the Switch X. I can’t seem to post the link here. The reviewer has the technical knowledge to understand and explain why it makes a difference and the discussion is also highly related to why streamers sound different, too.

And if you’re not curious - fair enough. But perhaps you’d be kind enough to dial it down on digital discussions. 

Peace.

The Dejitter Switch X addresses an issue most are unaware of. Having a 'clean' network is required to get the most out of one's streamer/streaming setup, this means starting at modem. I discovered the benefits of having an audio only or 'clean' network and a 'dirty' network' for the house a couple years ago.

mdalton,

Value is determined by the individual. One can argue that spending X amount for any component is dumb. I say, spend whatever you can easily afford to yield the sound you want!

@sns @mgrif104 - I read the Positive Feedback review of the Dejitter Switch X (link) and it sounds interesting enough that I will look into it further.  I like the idea of a separate network path for audio but with three audio zones at my residence, and all three having their own Roon endpoint, I need to understand how that would work.  My main system endpoint/streamer is hardwired (fiber) but of course the iPad I use to control Roon is running off of the network wi-fi.  I will try and learn more about the Switch X.

@mdalton - Consider the price issue all relative.  Paying $100-200K for a vehicle may seem dumb when $50 is more than enough to buy one that will reliably move you from points A to B.  However, some people can afford paying more and value the extra features/performance that a higher priced vehicle can provide.  Same with audio.  I recently purchased a more expensive DAC than I had owned before and found noticable improvements in sonic performance over the others I previously owned.  I do somewhat understand your point about servers since they are basically a computer and tend to be upgraded to newer models frequently, but some people want the best and the Oladra is arguably in the running (for being the best at this time).

A server for $29k.  Forgive me, but that’s just dumb.  Really dumb.  Like insanely dumb.

I'm not sure if the word 'dumb' is being used to describe the buying decision, the behavior, or the individual who made that decision. Here's how I see it: I'm frugal, and I tend to be cautious with my spending—even when I could afford something luxurious. But I've come to respect those who have the disposable income to buy truly luxurious things, even if those purchases sometimes irritate me or others, including people like you. They're not dumb. If they were, how could they have accumulated the wealth to afford things that we can't?