Stepping into streaming, finally

@audphile1 Tidal, as well as Spotify, were streamed through Staccato. So, it was Tidal connect. Right?

In all instances Tidal was controlled from Tidal app, using ether phone or laptop. 

The Staccato uses Tidal and Spotify apps.

Bluetooth for controlling the Staccato by phone. The streaming is done via ethernet. I can control the Staccato using computer being signed to Spotify that I subscribe to.

@romanesq I was thinking to try optical connection between Staccato and Venus, but I thought, based on opinions I came across, that optical was inferior to high quality coax. Well, I will give it a try. What toslink cable do you use?

This is one of the aspects of this hobby that I like a lot, experimenting with, not necessarily uber expensive, changes. Sometimes it works sometimes not. I have recently tried XLR interconnects (Mogami) between Venus and Pathos, change for worse in comparison to DIY Duelund Helix Geometry coax (Williewonka recipe).

The price I paid was $249 from EarMen web site. There is no WiFi connectivity with Stacatto.

@mahler123 No question about Wiim and Node being entry level and definitely going up the ladder will make improvements. I am sure all of us experienced it in our ladder climbing process.

@hilde45 I was very much surprised how much improvements were due to only different streamer designs, all other components were the same. Virtually every aspect has been affected, mostly totally black background and expansion of the stage. The streamers are ether fed with ethernet or WiFi, this is undisputable fact.

@audphile1 Yes, that's the one.

@hilde45 So, what are you trying to say?

@jond The antenna is for Bluetooth connection with the phone as a remote control.

Indeed the pricing is quite "interesting", I have seen prices as high as about $1100, "regular" price on EarMen website is $429 and for about a week it is on sale for $249, that's where I bought it from.

@lalitk I do not know what to tell you. Maybe my system is not revealing enough. I have Caladans coming, will see if they better the Sonus Fabers or maybe my hearing? I think at this point the sound quality is comparable, granted I have not spent long time comparing. But I am certain that there is huge difference, for better, from both Wimm and Node using only the streamer sections.

@lalitk @jond I might give it a try, nothing to lose.

Well, I have devoted today to ABC comparison in a serious way, I think.

Here is what I found. CDs outperforming Staccato after all, mostly in soundstage region. My original assessment must have been due to being greatly surprised by how much better Staccato fared while comparing it to Wiim and Node. The strangest thing was that Tidal took the last place despite choosing the highest streaming rate. MQA sounded even worse, but this probably due to Staccato not being MQA capable.

So, after all I am satisfied with this little, but quite hefty, streamer and it probably will better itself since I had it only for three days.

Thanks for tips and participation in this discussion.

I would think it was Tidal connect, I had subscription for highest tier.

@audphile1 I am using coax Audioquest Cinnamon. The other option is toslink, but I do not have cable on hand to play with this one and remember that when I had Wiim and tried toslink, granted the one supplied with Wiim so might had been of not great quality, this path was worse than Cinnamon. However, as @romanesq suggested, I am thinking of revisiting this connection with good cable.

Also, as I had mentioned, I was surprised with Spotify bettering Tidal, it was similar while using Wiim and Node. Spotify has three dimensional stage unlike virtually flat of Tidal with all three streamers and all other components the same. What gives?

Yes, selecting the streaming device. Staccato, currently.