2. digital
  3. 191749-165378

Streaming, Getting the Signal, Then What?

I feel so stupid not getting the streaming thing though at almost 70 years old I have moved more toward digital then any time previously.  My PS Audio AirLens into a PS Audio DirectStream DAC MK1 gets its signal from a Netgear Nighthawk CAX80 modem/router purchased in Jan. '22.  I know I get a signal. I hear music play. Is this Netgear product better than the freebie that the ISP provider installs?  I think so. But following discussion FORUM I tend to think I may be able to do better, maybe?

So chime please as to what perhaps I should considered considering my AirLense & MK1 DAC. PLEASE, do not tell me why what I have could be so much better if.... This post presumes I have the equipment I have. From modem/router to sources is a high end AudioQuest ethernet cable product. That also is out of the equation for whomever wants to opine as to my cable choice.

Recommendations please.  If it matters the sources feed into a PS Audio BHK Signature pre, then into a pair of PS Audio M1200 monoblocks.  Speakers are Ohm Walsh Tall 3000. Love love love the flexibility I get from omni-directionals.  O.K., you can share your thoughts about my Ohms. But budget doesn't allow MBL or German Physiks.  Thanks one and all.

veemike

Showing 2 responses by deep_333

deep_333
1,758 posts
 

I feel so stupid not getting the streaming thing though at almost 70 years old I have moved more toward digital then any time previously.

At age 70, hearing quality dissipates and the ear lobes could start turning into cauliflowers. So, maximize the bang 4 buck on components and give the spare change to your struggling grandson instead.

 

Streamer: Wiim Ultra.

Price is around 300 bucks, very feature rich (full peq and some room correction, if needed), has a very polished easy to use user interface for senior citizens. It could sound very good on its own, but, if you insist on a external dac, it offers a USB out as well so the dac doesn’t depend on any timing from the streamer.

 

Externl Dac: Schiit Bifrost

Price is around 800 bucks. Run this great R2R dac in NOS mode and it’s all you may ever need.

deep_333
1,758 posts
 

The lowest hanging fruit if you deal with digital hires files or ripped rebook cd (i.e., you buy the albums and pay the artist a living wage) is...you get the Daniel Hertz Master Class Ssoftware ($600 ish) and you convert your digital files before playback...it takes care of anything .."digital-ish’ and makes it sound like analog tape., while retaining every pro of a hires studio master....no cons/pita of old master tape, no awful vinyl cons to deal with in the name of analog.

At that point, it doesn’t matter all that much if your dac sucked a bit or the streamer sucked worse...it doesn’t quite matter how neurotic one went with the ethernet & power infrastructure.

There are certain things that matter way more to the ear/central nervous system (towers over everything else) and Levinson appears to have somehow stumbled into or managed to get to the bottom of it.

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