2. amps-preamps
  3. 182613-14281

streaming and audiophile stereo

I have heard it said that an audio system is only as good as its weakest link. I want to complete a system that will give me access to lots of music by Tidal and Roon, and I want the music played through some true audiophile components.  I am used to tube preamps, and will probably go that way again, though ss remains a possibility.  The speakers I intend to use are very efficient - 20 watts of amplification would be ample.  Here's my question:  in such a system, how important, and how variable, are the audio qualities of the digital source component - the streamer - at the front end?  If it does MQA does that alone mean it is the highest quality audio possible at this end of the system?  Or do some that accommodate MQA provide better sound than others that also accommodate MQA?  I see lots of reviews of features of these components, but not much about their individual sonic qualities.  Leaving aside features and convenience, are some better sounding than others and would this depend entirely on the DAC used?

twilightround

Showing 2 responses by oddiofyl

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
4,066 posts
 

The streamer is the modern day "transport"   It's vital to great playback, plus you want an user interface that appeals to you.     My Aurender N200 sounds great, I also demo'd Innuos which was good too.   

I listen to a bunch of my favorite radio stations through it, have Qobuz and Tidal , have a few hundred CDs stored in it's SSD....it's a versatile and awesome machine.  I sold a preamp plus cash to buy it and it was worth the stretch.  I was going to buy something smaller, with less features and I'm glad I didn't. It's the center of my digital universe. 

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
4,066 posts
 

I have a decent digital front end yet I just purchased a new turntable.... ???

I love my Aurender N200 , it was one of my best audio purchases ever   it sounds great with my LAB 12 DAC.   

As Jason Bourne mentioned , it's the provenance of the digital files that I question with Qobuz and Tidal.   I have both right now, and one thing is for sure, not all tracks sound the same.  Whether it is the fact you are listening to the "original" , a copy , or something somewhere in  between, who knows?

I'm comparing the two platforms and it's tough.  In general I think Qobuz sounds better. although  I like the Live exclusive music content Tidal offers.   I'm going to wait until my new preamp arrives before I decide which to keep.  It will probably be Qobuz.   

 

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