Streaming vs Physical Media

Ultimately there is no arguing with the fact that all the 1's and 0's get to the streamer in the right order because of the TCP/IP protocol which is designed to do this.

So what does this mean? This means the music is sent perfectly to the streamer / bridge.

So if the streamer is always getting a perfect binary signal where does it go wrong?

Well the only thing I can think of is that noise is entering the system along with the binary stream. It's noise that's the polluter nothing else can be!

But whatever the outcome - TCP/IP ensures a perfect binary order due to checksumming the stream <-- therefore nothing at all can go wrong at this stage (unless you have a bad network).

@steakster

Thanks for your solid advise!

@chopandchange 

So if the streamer is always getting a perfect binary signal where does it go wrong?

Well the only thing I can think of is that noise is entering the system along with the binary stream. It's noise that's the polluter nothing else can be!

You're right it's noise of various kinds, e.g, but not limited to -  RF, EMI, and high-impedance leakage currents from SMPS and network component clocks that increase jitter and clock phase noise. 

The whole clocking thing is another space I haven't grasped enough to figure out how to make it right or even better

Thus there are some products available to address reducing the noise in our perfect binary signals

Here's a couple of links that describe the problem(s) and some products that improve the SQ

https://www.smallgreencomputer.com/pages/systemoptique-certified

In another thread on cables, I linked an article by the Pink Floyd recording engineers but there's this one statement about digital recordings and making copies:

In my opinion there are a lot of misconceptions about digital audio. Disregarding the good points, some of the bad points are that it is almost impossible to do a digital to digital copy and retain the resolution; it is far more susceptible to the sound changing from many different reasons – RF, A/C mains, harmonic distortion and fluctuation, physical vibrations, etc., than most people realize. What we have tried to achieve is to get our HD system sounding as good as possible, given the parameters of what it is in the first place. We have spent many days listening and testing. Accordingly, every area of improvement has been implemented to the highest degree: all the A/C mains, audio cabling, digital cabling, anti jitter boxes, master clocks, physical support of the units, etc.

Granted, that was back in 2005, but it's still relevant today.

All the best,
Nonoise

Granted, that was back in 2005, but it's still relevant today.

All the best

Nonoise

Yep!

The fundamental and foundational findings are always relevant.

Charles