Are higher end preamps worth the investment when you are only streaming Tidal & Spotify ?

Tidal and Qobuz on a great streamer and DAC sound better than most CDs because most CDs are played on a CD player with internal DAC.

Now if you’re doing CD right, with a good CD transport to your same DAC, they are likely hard to tell apart.

Jerry

@puffbojie

NAD C658 DAC Streamer is really a weak link but the DIRAC feature really helps with my room. I might have to get a stand-alone room correction device in order to update the streamer and Dac as the NAD does not allow you to disengage the DAC from what I understand.

I looked for some photos/measurements of your room to see if I could figure out why you needed room equalization, but no photos. I don’t know if I should ask you why you think that you need room equalization, or question myself as to why I think that I don’t need room equalization.

A new (to me) preamp made me realize my system was much better than I thought it was. Best decision I've ever made in audio.

Regards,

Dan

I'm not sure you need to spend $10K. In my opinion the AT7 QS Line Stage gives me definite improvement for my PSAudio DSD. I would never be without it streaming of otherwise.

And let me add some of my findings concerning, at least  PSAudio's built in streamer. Everything sounds better with the Bridge ripped out.

I use Audirvana on a mac mini and USB that into the DSD with a nice cable. I stream from Qobuz. Once I find an album I would hate missing as in when Qobuz removes it, I search for the highest rez I can find and purchase it.

My only point is that the pre is just part of the chain and anything is only as strong as its weakest link.

BTW they are selling factory checked DSD on PSAudio's site for $3K.