2. digital
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Streamer opinion.. Pease comment on validity.

Please comment on the below statement. 

"A streamer is just a digital network appliance. It connects to a network, renders a digital stream, and spits out either analogue or digital audio stream. It's just digits; you don't need an 'audiophile network streamer' for the digital aspect. The 'audiophile' stuff is handled by the DAC. If the DAC can't clean up noise and jitter on the digital inputs, it's poorly engineered; look elsewhere."
pkvintage

Showing 5 responses by cleeds

cleeds
6,146 posts
 
djones51
Is a long term evaluation a test of the components or our brains adaptability?
If genuine differences are revealed over time, then it’s obvious - by definition - that it’s not the brain’s "adaptability" that’s responsible. Otherwise, "adaptability" would suggest that no difference be heard.
cleeds
6,146 posts
 
big_greg
... Whether it's a blind test or a fast A/B sighted test, while you may hear differences, that doesn't mean that you'll be able to instantly pick the one that is "better". I've heard (and bought) a few things that upon first listen I thought sounded better than something I had, but after extended listening noticed other less favorable characteristics about the sound.
Exactly. The true characteristics of an audio component are best revealed over time, and less likely to be identified in a quick "shoot-out" or AB test.
cleeds
6,146 posts
 
jetter

...  it would make common sense that a person comparing two different stereo units, without knowing which was which, and picking that which they liked the sound of the best is a valid test ...
Is that how you choose your audio components?
cleeds
6,146 posts
 
hilde45
Has everyone who compared the different level streamers done so in a way that was randomized and blind?
Not likely. I've noted many times that most audiophiles have no use for such tests.

Perhaps you're different.
Did you use blind testing to choose your streamer? If so, please tell us about the test and the result.
cleeds
6,146 posts
 
big_greg
There aren't that many streamer only devices with no DAC, so it's not easy to compare different streamers into the same DAC ...
Most streamers have digital outs, so comparing isn't difficult at all.
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