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08-Aug-2022, 11:17
(This post was last modified: 08-Aug-2022, 11:19 by windler.)
Hi
Maybe I missed a conversation or post related to this subject (if this is the case I am sorry in advance)
My Question is
I am using MAC MINI as ROON core connecting to Tidal and it also my local music repository , I am Streaming the music direct to Devialet via ethernet rj45.
There are any expected sonic differences between the above configuration vs
Roon Nucleus, DCS network bridge, Primare NP5 Prisma or any other streamers only (that has no integrated DAC inside)
Thanks
Devialet 400,
Ayon Raptor S
Townshend maximum super tweeters
MAC mini ,Amarra +IRC .
Digital -Telos Audio Gold Reference MKII ,
Speakers:Analysis plus Clear Oval
Power :Graditech - Voima 1
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08-Aug-2022, 14:14
(This post was last modified: 08-Aug-2022, 14:17 by BoyScout.)
(08-Aug-2022, 11:17)windler Wrote: Hi
Maybe I missed a conversation or post related to this subject (if this is the case I am sorry in advance)
My Question is
I am using MAC MINI as ROON core connecting to Tidal and it also my local music repository , I am Streaming the music direct to Devialet via ethernet rj45.
There are any expected sonic differences between the above configuration vs
Roon Nucleus, DCS network bridge, Primare NP5 Prisma or any other streamers only (that has no integrated DAC inside)
Thanks
Hi Windler,
Yes there are, for sure.
I had the same configuration and when I switched to a dedicated streamer the difference was huge and i'm just using a very basic one, I know there are other options that would improve the sound quality a lot.
The DCS would be, in my opinion, a big jump to that purpose.
Mac mini with Roon, Devialet 220 Pro CI, Black Sixteen speaker cables, Sonus Faber Guarneri Tradition and a pair of ears.
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you should have a look at the ifi Zen Stream. It gives a much better SQ than the Devialet CI board and is very affordable.
A DDC like an Audio-GD Di20HE should sound even better, either stand-alone or together with the ifi.
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Thanks for your answers
I am not using the Devialet CI board I am using Air.
I don't know about Zen, I am planning to check ROON Nucleus first.
Roon Nucleus has Air implemented API as ROON Ready so I will use it directly.
I am not aware of any other streamers that have the same implementation.
Devialet 400,
Ayon Raptor S
Townshend maximum super tweeters
MAC mini ,Amarra +IRC .
Digital -Telos Audio Gold Reference MKII ,
Speakers:Analysis plus Clear Oval
Power :Graditech - Voima 1
Posts: 110
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Joined: Jul 2014
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Devialet 400,
Ayon Raptor S
Townshend maximum super tweeters
MAC mini ,Amarra +IRC .
Digital -Telos Audio Gold Reference MKII ,
Speakers:Analysis plus Clear Oval
Power :Graditech - Voima 1
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I’m also quite curious about the role of the streamers on SQ.
Unfortunately the only tests I’ve run were in the entry level bracket:
- MacBook Pro into Expert via USB
- MacBook Pro with Roon into Expert via Ethernet
- Bluesound Node 2i into Expert via coaxial
From the 3 configurations of above, the difference was zero. I then opted for the Node since keeping my laptop out of the equation was an important commodity.
Streamers and server/streamers differ for build features such as power supplies, rejection from network and electrical noise and clock. How easy or affordable is to optimize these elements is not of my knowledge, yet I would be curious to test how impactful these things are to my ears. In particular, how clock optimization can play a role if the communication streamer-Expert went via asynchronous USB.
If differences in SQ, to me, were detectable only in very controlled situations and at the level of micro-nuances, I’d only change streamer once someone released a software that, similarly to Roon, were able to browse library and all the streaming services as a single catalogue (massive commodity), but also including Amazon Music Unlimited.