I do not have any issues with sound quality / reproduction. I mostly use Qobuz HiRes Streaming via an Innuos Zen Mini MK3 (via UPnP/Optical - the latter for gapless and even more fidelity). I have ripped all my CD’s lossless on the server and I have a vinyl collection from my youth (some of it audiophile stuff and Japanese pressings). At this point of my journey, I would say it definitely comes down to the quality of mastering and pressing. There are definitely audible differences when listening to vinyl, but not necessarily bad ones, quite the opposite. Some of them sound better than Hires streams, others not. But this is due to the attention paid in mastering and pressing, not a shortcoming of the audio system.
I may add though (IMHO), compared to audiophile listening setups the Phantoms usually produce a wider soundstage with a little less precise allocation of the individual instruments/singers. On the other hand, they are incredibly dynamic and engaging. The Golds produce more balanced and truthful midrange and trebles compared to the Silvers I owned before.
P.S. I also used a Dialog before, but I cannot wholeheartedly recommend it. It was necessary in the early days, but it runs very hot and as a pure optical converter just another device in the chain. You have to be careful with the optical cables though. There is very little space in the chassis of the Phantoms (small connectors preferred) and the longer the cable gets, the more careful you have to be regarding the quality. Although designed to be wireless my Phantoms are now connected with quality Ethernet Cat7 cables to the server/hub/router and are reliably stable ever since..
I may add though (IMHO), compared to audiophile listening setups the Phantoms usually produce a wider soundstage with a little less precise allocation of the individual instruments/singers. On the other hand, they are incredibly dynamic and engaging. The Golds produce more balanced and truthful midrange and trebles compared to the Silvers I owned before.
P.S. I also used a Dialog before, but I cannot wholeheartedly recommend it. It was necessary in the early days, but it runs very hot and as a pure optical converter just another device in the chain. You have to be careful with the optical cables though. There is very little space in the chassis of the Phantoms (small connectors preferred) and the longer the cable gets, the more careful you have to be regarding the quality. Although designed to be wireless my Phantoms are now connected with quality Ethernet Cat7 cables to the server/hub/router and are reliably stable ever since..
Innuos Zen Mini MK3 with LPSU -> Devialet Arch & & UPnP -> Ethernet Cat 6a -> Phantom I Gold Stereo Setup
Gold Note Valore 425 Plus with Vasari Gold -> Devialet Arch -> Ethernet Cat 6a -> Phantom I Gold Stereo Setup
Master & Dynamics MH40, Audeze Sine, AudioQuest Dragonfly Red; Remote Control via macOS and iOS devices (Devialet App / Innuos Sense / Qobuz App / Airplay)
