Expensive Streamers/Music Servers/Transports - Do I miss anything?

[SAPHANA]

There are so many expensive gears to transfer digital data stream from source to DAC. Currently I am completely happy with my DAC+computer (PC, Mac, Roon, A+, JRiver, Tidal ... I use them all) combinations, but I am still wondering whether I miss anything which cannot be achieved by my current cheap approach.

Please note:
- I don't care how beautiful/ugly the components are;
- I use USB ONLY.

[Audiophilehi]

Originally Posted by SAPHANA

There are so many expensive gears to transfer digital data stream from source to DAC. Currently I am completely happy with my DAC+computer (PC, Mac, Roon, A+, JRiver, Tidal ... I use them all) combinations, but I am still wondering whether I miss anything which cannot be achieved by my current cheap approach.

Please note:
- I don't care how beautiful/ugly the components are;
- I use USB ONLY.

Hi Saphana...I went from a Mac Mini, JRiver to the Aurender N100H and never looked back. The difference was enough to put a huge smile on my face which justified money well spent.

[1KW]

Originally Posted by Audiophilehi

Hi Saphana...I went from a Mac Mini, JRiver to the Aurender N100H and never looked back. The difference was enough to put a huge smile on my face which justified money well spent.

+1 same mac to Aurender N100h , night and day listening experience

[SAPHANA]

Originally Posted by Audiophilehi

Hi Saphana...I went from a Mac Mini, JRiver to the Aurender N100H and never looked back. The difference was enough to put a huge smile on my face which justified money well spent.

Originally Posted by 1KW

+1 same mac to Aurender N100h , night and day listening experience

Thanks Paul and 1KW for sharing the views after "converting" to dedicated streamers. In my understanding, all the dedicated gears are just computers with USB 2.0 output for digital data stream. I am an IT guy, so I always have hard time understanding what makes such huge differences. Is it better power supply?

[essjay]

I run a mac with a+ into my MSB DAC over USB and want for nothing. As long as you have proper galvanic isolation on the USB interface your stream will be pure and enjoyable. That is where the majority of solutions fall over, poor isolation.

Instead of an expensive streamer, I spent the savings on more LP's

[SAPHANA]

Originally Posted by essjay

I run a mac with a+ into my MSB DAC over USB and want for nothing. As long as you have proper galvanic isolation on the USB interface your stream will be pure and enjoyable. That is where the majority of solutions fall over, poor isolation.

Instead of an expensive streamer, I spent the savings on more LP's

Thanks essjay. What have you done to get proper galvanic isolation? I have been hesitating to buy an additional device (such as something from iFi) for that, because I am not sure whether it’s another trap or not.

[essjay]

Originally Posted by SAPHANA

Thanks essjay. What have you done to get proper galvanic isolation? I have been hesitating to buy an additional device (such as something from iFi) for that, because I am not sure whether it’s another trap or not.

The quad rate USB module in my DAC is properly isolated so it does not carry noise over from my macbook. When I was running a lower end DAC (M51), it needed an external SPDIF converter to clean up the signal as well as reclock to remove noise.

I was using a Jkenny MK3 spdif converter for that purpose with excellent results. Without that converter the m51 sounded a bit brittle to my ears.

When I finally got my hands on an MSB DAC I tried it with the Jkenny and it added nothing, unlike the M51. In fact I preferred it without the Jkenny in the chain. At this point I did look into why and learned about the need for usb inputs to be properly isolated along the way as well as how important it is to have it for a good clean (noise free) digital signal from a computer due to the computers inherent noise.

The CA forum documents this stuff really well if you want to learn more. Hope this helps.

Regards

essjay

[SAPHANA]

Originally Posted by essjay

The quad rate USB module in my DAC is properly isolated so it does not carry noise over from my macbook. When I was running a lower end DAC (M51), it needed an external SPDIF converter to clean up the signal as well as reclock to remove noise.



I was using a Jkenny MK3 spdif converter for that purpose with excellent results. Without that converter the m51 sounded a bit brittle to my ears.



When I finally got my hands on an MSB DAC I tried it with the Jkenny and it added nothing, unlike the M51. In fact I preferred it without the Jkenny in the chain. At this point I did look into why and learned about the need for usb inputs to be properly isolated along the way as well as how important it is to have it for a good clean (noise free) digital signal from a computer due to the computers inherent noise.



The CA forum documents this stuff really well if you want to learn more. Hope this helps.



Regards



essjay

Thank you essjay, it’s very helpful. I am not familiar with CA forum but eager to learn. Can you please direct me to those documents?

[essjay]

Originally Posted by SAPHANA

Thank you essjay, it’s very helpful. I am not familiar with CA forum but eager to learn. Can you please direct me to those documents?

google computer audiophile and you will find the source. posting links to other sites is banned here

[PMCH]

Originally Posted by SAPHANA

Thanks essjay. What have you done to get proper galvanic isolation? I have been hesitating to buy an additional device (such as something from iFi) for that, because I am not sure whether it’s another trap or not.

Going over USB, I find the iFi to be a very cost effective improvement with my system and it doesn't take up any room.