SNS
Good test for quality of streaming chain. Streaming sound quality should be at least equal to cd's played over quality transport.
Good point. Thanks.
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.
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Try the JK Richards PS Audio DSD MKI upgrade for your DAC. It dramatically improved the sound of my MK1. @jkrichards |
danager Trying to get your streamer the cleanist electrical signal might help. If you use dimmer light switches turn them off or all the way on. Removing any switching power supplies from the circuit and feeding the streamer with ethernet not WiFi is an easy way to optimize your sound. I haven't tried all the tweaks like running my router with a LPS or replacing the Ethernet cable with fibre but in some instances it might reduce background noise. Interesting you should post this. In May '23 I completely rewired my listening area creating two 45' home runs from new, premium SquareD panel and replaced ALL my loft's 15/20amp breakers with premium breakers, all seated and torqued to manufacturer's spec using about $900 worth of McMaster-Carr silver paste. The two 45' home runs to my equipment is 8 gauge into separate PSA Power Port Classic receptacles. My electrician thought I was crazy. "You're the boss." Mu sources are fed through a PSA PowerPlant 15. Also, I like this and the input from audphile1
I'll check back in tomorrow,,, |
I hate DAC volume controls. The only one that came close to the Benchmark LA4 preamp's volume control at ALL volume levels was the Lumin X1 which uses the LeedH algorithm. For me a DAC with a volume control is a bug and not a feature. |
Wow, I gotta say, reading that the DS Mk I is noisy and grainy threw me for a loop. I can say with 100% certainty that mine is neither of those things, quite the contrary. I absolutely would not change DACs if I were you. I'm sure there are better DACs in the world but not at anywhere near what the DS Mk I goes for these days. The dual I2S inputs are still pretty rare and such a nice feature to have. I2S definitely sounds better than other connections. I have no experience with the AirLens but I doubt very seriously that's holding you back either. Fiber conversion did clean up my signal quite a bit and I have not noticed any of the bad side effects that some claim come with that method. I also run my signal through an Ether Regen (original version). I feed it with the fiber optic. I can't swear that makes a huge difference but it certainly doesn't hurt. I power the Ether Regen with a LPS. I'm confident you'll get to the bottom of your issue and I don't think it'll cost you an arm and a leg either. If it were me I'd concentrate on the signal delivery to your components, which I think is what you're doing anyway. |
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