(24-Aug-2021, 20:52)ogs Wrote:(23-Aug-2021, 15:26)Confused Wrote: iFi Zen Stream than finally prompted me to take the plunge and try one. Great measurements, but does it subjectively sound good? To my ears, yes, it sounds great.
Are you suggesting that the iFi approaches the quality of your Mutec stack? That would be a revolution....
In the context of this thread, I am saying that the iFi Zen Stream had very good measurements, very low noise and low jitter via S/PDIF, that is the objective side. Subjectively, feeding my REF10 / MC3+USB via S/PIDF, the resultant sound quality is good. So in terms of the subjective vs objective debate, this is one instance of a glorious alignment.
So is the iFi as good as the Mutec stack? To be honest, I do not know because I have not tried this. (I have wondered the same as you though) So far I have only used the iFi to feed the MC3+USB. I have a whole list of things I want to try with the iFi. So far all I have done is listen to it, and I have performed comparisons with my SOtM kit. At the moment I have come to the view that to my ears, the iFi is fractionally better than the SOtM kit. (both feeding the MC3+USB) This in itself is a good result considering the iFi's price. Indeed, my SOtM kit is powered by two Paul Hynes SR4's. If I use the iFi this only needs one PSU, and one SR4 costs about the same as the iFi. (or at least it did until Paul Hynes went bust)
Anyway, as I now know that the iFi and SOtM kit perform at a very similar level when feeding the MC3+USB, this will allow me to run the SOtM kit to the Mutec, and the iFi direct to the Devialet, I can then compare the two with a quick change of input and volume adjustment.
The above is one of the things on my list of things to try. Also on my list, I also want to try the iFi via USB, and maybe via USB feeding the SOtM tX-USBultra. Also, I want to try the iFi direct to the Devialet upsampling to DSD64.
Many things to do, I'll be updating the iFi thread with my findings some time in September..... (busy with other things at the moment, and this weekend)
1000 Pro - KEF Blade - iFi Zen Stream - Mutec REF10 - MC3+USB - Pro-Ject Signature 12
