Why are so many people spending so much money to build “perfect” streaming system?

howsoever, as per @lanx0003there are diminishing returns in this game and, purely subjectively, the wiim is the (dirt cheap) point at which sonic improvements become more marginal. just my opinion.

No question that there are diminishing returns with regard to audio (Or just about anything for that matter).  Determining what this point is will vary on an individual basis. Each one of us has their own level set points of performance/value ratio.
 

I was pointing out that some would make the case that the Wiim is  “bit perfect” and thus cannot be bettered. Anything purportedly better is wasteful spending and there’s nothing to be gained sonically.

Charles

@lanx0003

What makes it not sound as good if it does satisfy all the digital source requirements, your thoughts?

That is for you to decide. So definitely listen to it and develop a judgment of what you hear. If it does satisfy you sonically, then good outcome for you. My position is that people can usually experience better sound quality with more ambitious higher level audio streamers.

I do recognize that for some this isn’t so because “bits are bits “ and nothing more matters given this mindset. A computer/NUC is equal to (Maybe better) a purposeful built music server/player. Find out for yourself by listening.

Charles

@lanx0003 

You do not need to spend 2-3k to have a decent streamer but the $80 wiim does not cut it

But that’s the point . The Wilm unit will absolutely “cut it” for the “bits are bits “ adherents. By their reasoning there is no justification to need more. The Wilm satisfies all digital source responsibilities. From this perspective, the Bluesound Node is unnecessary and overpriced.

Charles 

@cleeds

and would only add that some some clearly come here specifically to argue and pontificate.

Agreed.

Charles

@ghdprentice 

That is thoughtful and well stated. It seems to me that the really successful and innovative audio designers and manufacturers have a more “scientist” curiosity and open mind. They recognize what they can’t easily explain or understand and seek out the why?
Actually more humble and displaying humility rather than a know it all arrogance and dogma. You often learn more by acknowledging what you do not know and exploring further and deeper. Science seems to concede that there are no absolutes.

Charles
 

@zlone

I appreciate your comments and sharing of your experiences. I don’t believe that jssmith would dispute that differences are heard, but rather why they are heard. Manipulation of signal/distortion to achieve a desired sound.

I believe that he feels his 179.00 laptop and 130.00 DAC are technically correct (Perfect bits transmission) and nothing further is required or necessary. It can’t get any better, only different. @lalitk is right, there’s really no effective reasoning with this rigid mindset.

Charles

@jssmith pronouncements are very similar to a former poster on this forum named "cindymint". Essentially listening to and judging what audio components actually  sound like is foolish, misleading and subjective rubbish. Measurements rule. Antithetical to my experiences, but oh well.

Charles

@vonhelmholtz 

Very well said.

Charles 

@jssmith

The sound quality of streamers only depends upon the analog conversion, which at this point is standardized and audibly perfected. And as a former software engineer, I understand that the rest of the hype is just marketing nonsense sold to the uninformed or those suffering from what psychologists call "belief perseverance." So save your money

You offer encouragement and a way to achieve a very affordable entry point for audio streaming. I’m sure that the OP is grateful for this. And if one decides never to venture beyond this initial stage and they enjoy what they hear, that’s a wonderful outcome. Enjoyable and very affordable streaming in your home.

Beyond that however I believe that your further comments are misguided (Although I do not doubt the good intentions). There have simply been a huge number of people who have begun streaming at a modest level and subsequently moved upward in sound quality and performance. They are not delusional or gullible.

Multitudes have candidly shared their experiences of gaining significant improvement by purchasing better DACs and music servers/network players. It is unreasonable and irrational to believe all these folks are duped by clever suggestive marketing. Or to resort to the overused “confirmation bias” to explain why sonic improvement is heard.

I appreciate that you are a software engineer, that’s nice. There are people with equal and perhaps a broader and deeper technical experience and backgrounds (Than you) who can attest to the benefit of better equipment. Obviously you have every right to your convictions.

The OP may agree with you and that is his prerogative. To suggest that any digital audio system that goes above and beyond yours is wasteful of money and a foolish undertaking is exceptionally shortsighted and narrow. You have created a nice streaming set up that pleases you, good. But keep in mind that much better sound quality is obtainable if so desired.

Charles

@ghdprentice

I have read comments from listeners who stream via Wi-Fi and are as pleased as you appear to be. Conversely there are those who believe that Wi-Fi is inherently inferior to hard wired Ethernet cable. Have you used both or has it been Wi-Fi exclusively from the beginning of your audio streaming?

Curious about your experiences. I heard from a wireless Wi-Fi streamer user this past weekend who said he has done both and could hear no improvement with the Ethernet wired. I know there are obvious variables involved that inevitably influence the outcome. Some folks are adamant that Ethernet hard wired is unquestionably better. 

I appreciate a person’s genuine experiences but I don’t like dogma. Do you have a LAN cable connection between your Aurender server and Wi-Fi extender or is it completely wireless?

Charles