10-Dec-2023, 16:08
The topic has already been discussed in various discussions, but I would still like to hear your expert opinion on the following.
I understand that the noise from the power supply of e.g. a streamer must be removed as much as possible to get a better sound quality. That is why a few years ago, replacing the power supply in my Auralic Aries G1 with an LPS from Hoerwege resulted in a clearly audible improvement. Better and nicer bass reproduction, better placement, etc. However, with all kinds of new streamers on the market, which have also become considerably more expensive, I wanted to determine whether there would be any noticeable improvements.
In recent days I have borrowed two high-end streamers to compare with my current one. These are the Lumin U2 and the Auralic Aries G2.2. Before the comparisons started, all streamers were fed music for days.
Together with a friend and my wife, who, like me, can both judge the reproduction of music well, I had two long sessions spread over two days to make an accurate A, B, C comparison with various types of music via Qobuz Studio. Usually blind to the others. I myself knew about exchanging the plugs to determine which streamer was playing.
My set: Streamer via USB Audioquest Carbon to Devialet 440 C to Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4.
The listening session unanimously yielded the following results:
- My current streamer Auralic Aries G1 vs. Lumin U2: Lumin sounds a bit warmer. You can listen to this for a little longer without getting tired. The S-sounds are slightly milder, but with voices and music in that frequency range it sometimes seems as if there was a handkerchief between the microphone and voice or instrument. Bass and texture of both great. Placement seemed slightly wider and deeper on Lumin. A little less in the foreground.
- My current streamer Auralic Aries G1 vs. Auralic Aries G2.2: We spent a lot of time on this, but could hear virtually no difference. This outcome did surprise us.
My opinion is that by the optimized power supplies in all streamers listened to here, there is hardly any difference in sound from this point. The output of the all streamers tested are optimized USB ports. With the U2 and G2.2 these seem to be more decoupled than with the G1. These newer streamers, also have better clocks on board. Could it be that we hear little difference between the streamers because the “reclocking” takes place in the Devialet when connected to the USB input? Then the improved clocks in the U2 and G2.2 do not have much effect. Is this statement correct? I have doubts because various reviews of the new streamers report that good results are achieved via USB to DAC. Then it could be that these DACs do not re-clock themselves. Or? Do you think I will hear more of a difference if I purchase and test an AES/EBU to AES/EBU cable? I look forward to your comments.
Yours sincerely,
Rob
I understand that the noise from the power supply of e.g. a streamer must be removed as much as possible to get a better sound quality. That is why a few years ago, replacing the power supply in my Auralic Aries G1 with an LPS from Hoerwege resulted in a clearly audible improvement. Better and nicer bass reproduction, better placement, etc. However, with all kinds of new streamers on the market, which have also become considerably more expensive, I wanted to determine whether there would be any noticeable improvements.
In recent days I have borrowed two high-end streamers to compare with my current one. These are the Lumin U2 and the Auralic Aries G2.2. Before the comparisons started, all streamers were fed music for days.
Together with a friend and my wife, who, like me, can both judge the reproduction of music well, I had two long sessions spread over two days to make an accurate A, B, C comparison with various types of music via Qobuz Studio. Usually blind to the others. I myself knew about exchanging the plugs to determine which streamer was playing.
My set: Streamer via USB Audioquest Carbon to Devialet 440 C to Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4.
The listening session unanimously yielded the following results:
- My current streamer Auralic Aries G1 vs. Lumin U2: Lumin sounds a bit warmer. You can listen to this for a little longer without getting tired. The S-sounds are slightly milder, but with voices and music in that frequency range it sometimes seems as if there was a handkerchief between the microphone and voice or instrument. Bass and texture of both great. Placement seemed slightly wider and deeper on Lumin. A little less in the foreground.
- My current streamer Auralic Aries G1 vs. Auralic Aries G2.2: We spent a lot of time on this, but could hear virtually no difference. This outcome did surprise us.
My opinion is that by the optimized power supplies in all streamers listened to here, there is hardly any difference in sound from this point. The output of the all streamers tested are optimized USB ports. With the U2 and G2.2 these seem to be more decoupled than with the G1. These newer streamers, also have better clocks on board. Could it be that we hear little difference between the streamers because the “reclocking” takes place in the Devialet when connected to the USB input? Then the improved clocks in the U2 and G2.2 do not have much effect. Is this statement correct? I have doubts because various reviews of the new streamers report that good results are achieved via USB to DAC. Then it could be that these DACs do not re-clock themselves. Or? Do you think I will hear more of a difference if I purchase and test an AES/EBU to AES/EBU cable? I look forward to your comments.
Yours sincerely,
Rob
Devialet 440 CI Pro; AudioQuest Castle Rock; Bowers & Wilkins 801D4; Auralic Aries G1 with Hoerwege power supply, CD Player Meridian 507; Qobuz Studio
