@gnaudio my experience exactly. Except I was running Roon streaming Tidal, Qobuz and Local library into Bricasti M3 using its network card. Dull, not engaging, rounded off leading edges, robbed off energy. I got Audio Lab 6000cdt transport as a test and CDs just simply blew away streaming…using network card that is…just to be clear. After researching I picked up Aurender N200 streamer and I literally couldn’t believe the improvement. Running N200 into Bricasti via USB. No need for CDs. It is at least as good as physical media and in some cases exceeds sound quality of CDs.
Bottom line is, network card in DACs is not the best option for streaming. Secondly Roon degrades sound quality - I have tested this more times than I care to count and with every single streamer I used the dull, rolled off and sterile is the sound quality I get with Roon. I use Conductor 4 app with Aurender and the sound quality is excellent. If your preference is convenience over sound quality you can pick up a Roon ready streamer and you’re all set as it will most likely be a bit better than network card in DAC.
Streamer vs Directstream Memory Player
Interesting discovery this weekend, we built a new home close to 8 years ago and within the home is a dedicated listening room/theater. I had the assistance of Bob Hodas and Bob Cardas designing the room, all electrical was done to audiophile standards as was treatment and equipment placement.
I’ve been at this for the better part of 40 years but had never set up a space such as this before.
I open with this preamble as I’d like to try to avoid some of the comments that are not relevant to what this post is about.
Recently, or about the past 18 months, I have felt that my streamer is not sounding as good as I would like it to. I use Tidal and Roon into a Directstream DAC and Bridge II. One of my local dealers has loaned me some state of the art components to help my journey of finding what I believe to be best in class streaming sound.
Now to where I am going with this, I bought a Directstream Memory Player 3 years ago but I never got around to unboxing my CD’s. Well, I bought some CD racking and organized them all on Friday night and Saturday AM. I warmed up my system for 2 hours Saturday afternoon and all I can tell you is that in every case, over 20 CD’s listened to, the Memory Player blew away anything that was streamed, wasn’t even a close fight. Still not as good as my analog setup but better than any streamer used in my home including separate DAC’s.
I can assure you that there is no puffery in my findings, simply the best digital I have ever heard. My system has a retail value of close to $200k USD and one of the streamers that was loaned to me was close to $50k CDN (I live in Vancouver).
I would encourage any of you to hear these two matched components together, it was one of those positive startling situations I have experienced in our hobby.
Good listening all.
Showing 5 responses by audphile1
Keep in mind the DSD DAC is praised for its qualities as a DAC but its network bridge is known to be subpar. A high quality dedicated streamer will always beat any DAC’s inbuilt network renderer. If you want to level the playing field (streaming vs cd) you need a good streamer. If you want to continue using Roon one streamer you can try is PS Audio’s own airlens. |
That’s why I was recommending you try AirlLens. You can use i2s. So what’s your next step? |
Awesome system @gnaudio enjoy! |