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.                                                            

bikeboy52

Oh forgot. Its $5000,00 not $6000.00. FIVE thousand! There, am I an ok person now? Oh , yeah I thought not.

@jerryg123 To be fair, not all components that carry the ASR seal of approval are crap. Taking DAC's for example, the Mola Mola Tambaqui is top 10 in measured SINAD and is a top flight DAC by almost all accounts. The Okto DAC8 Stereo (which I own) is also a top measuring DAC and it earned Stereophile's 2021 digital component of the year. The Holo May KTE also measures well and is one of the highest regarded R2R DAC's.

We are all aware of ASR's methodology and ideology, however. They love inexpensive components that meet the approval of their measuring tools. Very little listening actually occurs. I am undecided if this is a blessing or a curse. On one hand you can assemble a measurably perfect system for little cost. On the other hand you are resigned to the belief that you can not trust your own hearing.

I say if it sounds better, then it is better.

@jerryg123 comrade i didn't ask you an advice of where and how to move learn counting first. 

@bikeboy52 if you consider your purchase as a charity for these 150 person then this makes a sense.

I wished to clarify some things for me that i don't know, apparently i choose a wrong thread