@bh123 - Great post. I had a similar experience going from a Node 2 to a N100SC.
Streamer upgrade? follow up.
I posted the first part of this earlier in the week. There are a few other threads running concurrently here about this same subject.This is my personal experience with this situation.Ive been using a Aurender A100 streamer/dac which is they’re entry level unit, the SQ wasn’t horrible but I was pretty sure I could get it better.In a attempt to do that I purchased a Denafrips Pontus two and a DhLabs Mirage Usb cable to use with the A100 utilizing its Usb out.The two local hi fi dealers here in SO Cal both told me this would not produce much of an result and in my opinion after trying it they were both correct. So… as I stated in the first post I was coming from a “bit is bits” perspective which was I was convinced adding a better Dac would accomplish my goals, I just couldn’t believe that the zeros and ones could possibly effect the quality of sound. But not being one to give up I decided in for penny in for a pound Id see for myself if there was anything to the other side of this conversation, I wanted a new toy for Xmas anyway.So I traded my A100 plus some cash to TMR ( nice people btw) for a shiny new Aurender N200 which arrived yesterday. Last night the moment of truth, I hooked up the new unit with the exact same everything as before in my system nothing different but the streamer.I let the tubes and everything else warm up for a few hours,picked a song I knew inside and out sat down and pressed play. Immediately within the first few notes of the Stones “ Wild Horses “ I knew I had made the right choice and that I was wrong believing bits are bits “. I really don’t have adequate language to describe the difference in sound quality other than to say I feel like Im in someone else’s home listening to they’re far superior system, its that drastic.I can with complete confidence say this has got to be one of if not the most significant upgrades Ive made in my system, scouts honor! PS. Grinin ear to ear here.
Showing 4 responses by ketchup
You sound scared to try something that might trounce your Node. You have two options. 1) Mesh Router 2) Break out the hammer drill. It is not hard to run cables. I just ran one from my router to my new streamer because it was worth it. Also, your argument about justifying expensive purchases is silly. I bought an Aurender used for a very good price. I can easily sell it for a profit, but I will never go back to the Node. It's just that much better. I do not mean to talk bad about the Node. It's a great way to get into streaming and the software, I thought, was great. There is just so much more out there in the streaming world to be had, though. And you don't have to spend 6K to beat the Node. A second hand Aurender under 2K will do the job just fine. I'm sure there are other options, too, but since I don't have experience with them, I can only speak of Aurender. |
@malibu457 - That's only worth it if you have great equipment to play back those lossless files. How are you doing that? |