Do Streamers Really Matter?

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by Poppyhome

I can’t understand why Benchmark would lie.

So did anyone actually A/B different streamers with the Benchmark DAC3?

I currently still own a Benchmark DAC3 (it isn’t even in use at this time).

[George Prentice]

Wow. Yes! The streamer makes as big a difference as would a TT in an analog end. Over the last twenty years I have used a PC, MacBook, iPad, Aurlic Aries G2 streamer, Aurender N100, Aurender N10, and an Aurender W20SE. So a cheap add on sound card $50 to $22k for my Aurender W20SE… each step was substantial and worth while. My digital end with my Aurrender W20SE equals my analog end of equivalent cost.

Streamers are like every other component. Critical in the chain.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

I’ll be happy to; all of mine tried are considerably more expensive than the ones you mentioned above.

I should have the time tomorrow to answer your question in depth.

[Poppyhome]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

I should have the time tomorrow to answer your question in depth.

The Benchmark DAC3 B makes it easy to A/B switch digital inputs with 2 coaxial and 1 USB.
Thanks, I look forward to your results.

[Famester V1]

I just sold my Aurender N200 and Lumin U2
I have a source that I am buying a pre-owned Aurender N30SA.
I can say that between the N200 and the U2 there was a noticeable difference whereas the N200 was stronger & more dynamic and the U2 was cleaner & more detailed.
It is all the listener's preference because both sounded great, but not the same.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by Poppyhome

That's my dilemma, I’ve auditioned and A/B’d three streamers at the same time and have not heard any discernable difference with the Benchmark DAC3 B changing inputs.
Using an — Oppo 205 Coaxial output, Eversolo DMP-A6 USB output, PS Audio AirLens Coaxial output as streamers.

Ok, so I did a head count; I currently own 19 Streamers/DAC’s here in Cape Cod.

In no special order, my top 12:

Aurender W20SE
Lumin S1
Antipodes K50
Benchmark DAC3
Bryston BDP3 / BDA3
Accuphase DP1000 / DC1000
McIntosh MCD1000 / MDA1000
SilenZio Gen 3.5
Esoteric N01XD
Esoteric K1X
Esoteric P1X / D1X
Burmester 151 MK2

Let me start by saying this is a very varied selection, mostly based on customer demand as I sell most of them. They are also dramatically different in the price category, ranging from under $3K to over $100K.

Since everyone has a budget; I would have to say the absolute best bang for the Buck is the SilenZio w/ Bryston BDA3. That combo is around $8K.

As we climb higher up the ladder, many things change (most are not subtle). Since this crazy hobby is very subjective, I am very fortunate to have many brands/flavors of these. They say variety is the spice of life; that being said, my absolute best sounding Streamer/DAC combo is my Esoteric P1X/D1X/G1X w/ SilenZio.

I demand 100% reliability, as I still do home demos and I won’t tolerate drop outs, delays, glitches etc.

It may seem odd pairing a $5K Streamer w/ a $130K digital front end, but this is my “Go to Sound”

Honorable mention is my Accuphase combo, which is also extraordinary.

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

It may seem odd pairing a $5K Streamer w/ a $130K digital front end, but this is my “Go to Sound”

Whatever works is good in my book. Hope folks don't take this the wrong way, but I find a lot of audiophiles get caught up in obsessing over "frou-frou": "Gee, if only I had the new Magnitude Opus One rev.2 with the Reference Platinum Signature Plus upgrade, I'd (finally) be happy. For now."

Side-story for context: When I was teaching DFSS for 10 years to my fellow scientists and engineers, they would always be focused on "features and functionality", aka "bells and whistles".

And I would emphasize to them: "Hey guys, features and functionality are all well and good, but don't forget about "Design for X", where X are the "-ilities": Reliability, Durability, Serviceability, Repairability and Parts Availability".

Design for X isn't "sexy", but for customers using products everyday in the real world (where we all actually live, let's not forget), it's critical for customer satisfaction and creation of a lasting and compelling value proposition for customers.

A great example that immediately comes to mind are Rega's series of Planar turntables. You can take 'em straight out of the shipper box, connect it to power & phono stage, and in less than 10 minutes, be up and running. Moreover, they make beautiful music, and you can use 'em for 40 years, and they'll work and never break. My kinda product.

[Famester V1]

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

Whatever works is good in my book. Hope folks don't take this the wrong way, but I find a lot of audiophiles get caught up in obsessing over "frou-frou": "Gee, if only I had the new Magnitude Opus One rev.2 with the Reference Platinum Signature Plus upgrade, I'd (finally) be happy. For now."

Side-story for context: When I was teaching DFSS for 10 years to my fellow scientists and engineers, they would always be focused on "features and functionality", aka "bells and whistles".

And I would emphasize to them: "Hey guys, features and functionality are all well and good, but don't forget about "Design for X", where X are the "-ilities": Reliability, Durability, Serviceability, Repairability and Parts Availability".

Design for X isn't "sexy", but for customers using products everyday in the real world (where we all actually live, let's not forget), it's critical for customer satisfaction and creation of a lasting and compelling value proposition for customers.

A great example that immediately comes to mind are Rega's series of Planar turntables. You can take 'em straight out of the shipper box, connect it to power & phono stage, and in less than 10 minutes, be up and running. Moreover, they make beautiful music, and you can use 'em for 40 years, and they'll work and never break. My kinda product.

Exactly. Support and reliability are paramount.
I am not one to email support with a question on how to correct an issue.
This is why I hate Roon, never thought I had it setup correctly. I have the lifetime package but haven't used it but once in the last year.
I LIKE to pick up the phone and speak to a human.
So, if a company has telephone customer service and another doesn't, I will always go with the first.
I had a question concerning my Triangle Art amps and I called the company.
Wouldn't you know, the actual owner, Tom Vu answered and spent over an hour discussing the products and he called me back numerous times to see if I had resolved my issue.
THAT is called service!

[Poppyhome]

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

Whatever works is good in my book. Hope folks don't take this the wrong way, but I find a lot of audiophiles get caught up in obsessing over "frou-frou": "Gee, if only I had the new Magnitude Opus One rev.2 with the Reference Platinum Signature Plus upgrade, I'd (finally) be happy. For now."

Side-story for context: When I was teaching DFSS for 10 years to my fellow scientists and engineers, they would always be focused on "features and functionality", aka "bells and whistles".

And I would emphasize to them: "Hey guys, features and functionality are all well and good, but don't forget about "Design for X", where X are the "-ilities": Reliability, Durability, Serviceability, Repairability and Parts Availability".

Design for X isn't "sexy", but for customers using products everyday in the real world (where we all actually live, let's not forget), it's critical for customer satisfaction and creation of a lasting and compelling value proposition for customers.

A great example that immediately comes to mind are Rega's series of Planar turntables. You can take 'em straight out of the shipper box, connect it to power & phono stage, and in less than 10 minutes, be up and running. Moreover, they make beautiful music, and you can use 'em for 40 years, and they'll work and never break. My kinda product.

Absolutely, I don't want to go in a hole thinking uber money spent equals better sound.
I hate it when your mind tries to justify you spending more. I wonder if more money really equals better.

For my system now, I don't hear any difference in streamers with immediate A/B switching.

I don't know if its because Room Perfect in the MX170 makes things sound better in my room. The Focus 1 position sounds so much better than using Bypass and off.

Maybe a separate pre-amp with HT Bypass will show an improvement. Although I had a Van Alstine Fet Valve CF Preamp years ago and can't really say it was superior sounding.

I really like to simplify my life...

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by Poppyhome

Absolutely, I don't want to go in a hole thinking uber money spent equals better sound.
I hate it when your mind tries to justify you spending more. I wonder if more money really equals better.

For my system now, I don't hear any difference in streamers with immediate A/B switching.

I don't know if its because Room Perfect in the MX170 makes things sound better in my room. The Focus 1 position sounds so much better than using Bypass and off.

Maybe a separate pre-amp with HT Bypass will show an improvement. Although I had a Van Alstine Fet Valve CF Preamp years ago and can't really say it was superior sounding.

I really like to simplify my life...

Simple is good because simple always works. I used a convey a key principle when teaching DFSS: "The simplest solutions work the best." Geinrich Altschuler, who invented TRIZ, codified this formally with his Theory of Ideality.



And, Nelson has been telling us exactly the same thing for decades now: "The simplest circuits sound the best."

Quoting Hans Beekhuizen: "Enjoy the music."