mgrif104
Responses from mgrif104
| Parasound A21+ or PS Audio S700 monos? Well, I have the Parasound A23 (obviously a model below the A21) and the stereo version of the M700 (the S300). I find the S300 is superior in every regard - not in a really significant way, but clearly audible. Cleaner and more articulate, the ... | |
| What the 802 and 3 Decades can tell us about trends It’s an interesting discussion. I had the opportunity to work as an assistant audio engineer in a well regarded performing arts center back in the mid 80s, as I put myself through grad school. I gained valuable experience from recording symphoni... | |
| Streamer opinion.. Pease comment on validity. Several people posting within this thread are skeptics. That’s fine. What I don’t understand is why someone wouldn’t actually try something to either prove or disprove their expectation. Dealers are willing to demo. Most dealers are also willi... | |
| Streamer opinion.. Pease comment on validity. It’s a good question. I lack the technical knowledge to comment on why. But, I can comment on what. And, the difference is pretty easy to hear - and it was validated by a dealer who carries the Node, but not the streamers I have. I brought the... | |
| Streamer opinion.. Pease comment on validity. Erik: it’s possible - perhaps even likely - that you’re correct that the streamer technology will cause my existing units to become obsolete. However, I view it differently. I’m enjoying the functionality and stability that my streamers currently... | |
| Streamer opinion.. Pease comment on validity. I should also add my DAC handles jitter just fine. It’s a better than average unit. The differences I heard were not due to a less than well engineered DAC. When testing at the dealer, we ran through a well regarded reference level DAC. Same r... | |
| Streamer opinion.. Pease comment on validity. Having done this test (different streamers into the same DAC), the differences are pretty easy to hear. My experiences suggest that while the tonal quality will be similar, the better streamers are more “open” spatially. I have a Node 2 in a sys... | |
| What determines a streamers sound quality. Have to politely disagree with markwd. In my experience, the difference in sound quality coming from streamers is significant and pretty easy to hear when doing an A/B comparison (same DAC, same input, same cable). Better streamers over more res... | |
| Music Server buying considerations Yes, there has been a good deal of discussion on this very topic so you’ll find some thoughts to help you. The short answer is yes - a dedicated music server really can be better. And, sometimes the difference is very significant. That doesn’t m... | |
| Moving up from a Node 2i To those who say the streamer shouldn’t make any difference, I would suggest you try one. I noticed a very substantial improvement in sound going from a Node 2 into an outboard DAC and upgrading to an Aurender N100. And, again when I employed an... | |
| Lumin X1 latest Review like we have been saying Dave and Troy: I’m curious if you can help me with a theory. My suspicion is that the streaming/server function is at least as important as the DAC. This can be tested by taking the digital out from the Lumin X1 into a separate DAC and comparing... | |
| OK, Streamers: "Head" units only...? You have several options here. You might consider the Lumin U1 mini (within your budget) or the Auralic Aries G1 (also w/in your budget). Both are just streamers and both should be a significant upgrade over the Node 2’s streaming quality. I au... | |
| CD Player vs. music streaming Ketchup,I did the comparisons in my system(s) using the same DAC - in my case, the DACs built into the NAD M12 DAC/preamp and in a PS Audio Stellar pre/DAC (a killer unit for the price). So, I’d say mid level DACs as the comparison (not great, bu... | |
| CD Player vs. music streaming Big_Greg,do you have a dealer where you can demo some units at home? My experience suggests that there are very large gains in going upstream from the Node 2. Indeed, I think the streamer might be more important than the DAC. I’m getting pretty ... | |
| CD Player vs. music streaming Have to generally agree with Audiotroy here. I have a Node 2. It’s an incredible unit for the price, but it’s not a high end streamer. It sounds great, but is easily bested by better units. In my experience, the streamer quality is as or more im... |