Suggestions for a top flight streamer/Dac around the $2000 mark?

Well this is another fine mess indeed. Lol.

While waiting for the N100h to arrive I picked up a Bryston bdp-pi and had been using that through a very cheap simple meridian explorer 2 USB DAC.

Set up the n100h today and hmmm, what's the fuss about?

The Bryston bdp-pi sounds a lot better to my ears. A lot more bass and body.

Now the only big difference I can see is the USB cable.
Because the meridian DAC us s a mini USB b port that has a different cable, a WireWorld Starlight 7.

The n100h into qb9 regular USB cable which is just a Pangea one costing about $50.

Could it just be the cable or?

Next I am going to try the n100h through the meridian.
Which only has a 3.5mm output so using a Audioquest adapter to twin RCA.
Really should be a lot worse than qb9 via XLR cables!

Perplexing.

Think I just answered my own question.
Found an old Straightwire usb cable and swapped that it and a fair bit of difference.

So I guess the next question is what usb cable can anybody recommend that is not going to break the bank!

I’ve tried a few from Wireworld, Pangea, Audioquest, and Curious. They all sounding the same in my system. I was always using Auralic streamers (Aries G1, Aries, and Mini) into various USB DACs. The Auralics have optical & coax outputs too, and those sounded no different than using USB, in my case.

I lean more of the side of the DAC making all the difference, and the streamer is more of what user interface you prefer. Use whatever cable looks and feels best too, that is always my preference! :)

I

lean more of the side of the DAC making all the difference, and the streamer is more of what user interface you prefer. Use whatever cable looks and feels best too, that is always my preference! :)

If you believe that why wouldn't you just use chromecast audio with minimserver or a Node 2i into whatever DAC you like? Why spend big bucks on Auralic? Not being confrontational, just curious.

Oz

After talking with Grannyring and hearing quite a few recommendations I went with one of his double smoked USB cables, be here next week so we will see then.