04-Nov-2019, 06:04
(03-Nov-2019, 22:49)steve_denney Wrote: I’m interested in your comments re Upnp. When I have compared this against optical for my Naim NAS or even today comparing Tidal using MConnect against Tidal native via Spark, I have found Upnp to be quite muddy. Using optical or Spark the sound seems more dynamic but with Upnp it has plodding bass and restrained treble. Back to optical or Spark brings the sound in a more balanced way with better dynamics.As background, I am using MinimServer, BubbleUPnP for my Phantoms. To my ears, UPnP provides a big sound stage, bigger than Spark, Airplay, Optical. I have Tidal but do not use it enough. Spark is only used when I need to reset or for testing.
I feel rather reluctant to ditch the DOS1 setup at the moment even if optical brings with it the crackle and dropouts we have mentioned previously . Going down Upnp only route leaves me thinking I will miss the sound I currently enjoy.
I think we are moving the realm of listening preferences. I find that Spark has less body and a smaller soundstage and shrill. Interesting that my "shrill" in Spark is your restrained treble in UPnP. It is what we are used to and also what we prefer. It does make it difficult to migrate if you prefer the Spark sound.
