digital streaming....

[macvisual]

Ok been using a Squeezebox Duet fed into a M.Fidelity M1 dac via RCA with decent audio results for a few years now, but I fancy better if possible....

Question is; if I was to try the likes of the mac-mini or the likes of the Linn Sneaky DS or any other streamer would I achieve a better quality sound or similar..?

Is it mostly down to the DAC or are most streamers similar devices which take the wi-fi signal etc..??


Please discuss, I'm lost.

Thanks

[Labarum]

Further investment in what follows the DAC will yield more improvement per pound than spending on a different streamer or DAC.

Your speakers (often the weakest link) are not inconsequential products.

They might benefit from a bigger amp.

But why chase the moon? Just enjoy the music.

[WAD62]

Ok been using a Squeezebox Duet fed into a M.Fidelity M1 dac via RCA with decent audio results for a few years now, but I fancy better if possible....

Question is; if I was to try the likes of the mac-mini or the likes of the Linn Sneaky DS or any other streamer would I achieve a better quality sound or similar..?

Is it mostly down to the DAC or are most streamers similar devices which take the wi-fi signal etc..??


Please discuss, I'm lost.

Thanks

One quick hit would be to upgrade the PSU on the receiver to a linear one, and also you could try an Sbooster too, there are lots of threads on the subject.

Alternatively the touch is supposed to be a better digital stage than the receiver, but its PSU, although marginally better is pants too, again lots of threads on the subject.

:cool:

[brian2957]

If I were you I would seriously consider PSU options such as a linear PSU. I have just upgraded the PSU on my Caiman SEG to a Linear one . The manufacturer recommends a 100 hour burn - in period . However I am experiencing quite a significant improvement in all areas of replay after just 30 hours . I am well pleased with the improvements already. Some members here reported a similar improvement by upgrading the Squeezebox PSU to a linear one.
Brian.

[Labarum]

I'm Brian too, and I stand my ground:


Further investment in what follows the DAC will yield more improvement per pound than spending on a different streamer or DAC.

[dave2010]

I'm Brian too, and I stand my ground:Does it make any difference using wired ethernet vs wireless?

[Labarum]

Does it make any difference using wired ethernet vs wireless?

Provided the WiFi signal is secure I hear no difference. My Squeezebox reports signal strength 90% and it is utterly secure. My Squeezebox Boom is a long way from the router and will only get a 35% signal. That is not reliable, and I have it wired. (I am not pretending the Boom could every match the sound quality of my main system - it has little speakers in a plastic box with lost of digital EQ.)

If I can wirelessly stream BBC iPlayer video content to my laptop, streaming audio to a Squeezebox, or any box, is a pretty undemanding exercise.

People make an extraordinary fuss about the digital side of the chain, but even a low cost solution can be very competent. The difficult bit, and potentially the expensive bit, is the loudspeaker, the space it's in, and how it's driven.

[Werner Berghofer]

Further investment in what follows the DAC will yield more improvement per pound than spending on a different streamer or DAC.

Not my opinion. A few weeks ago I switched to another DAC in my headphone setup. That caused a great improvement and was an interesting experience.

Werner.

[Labarum]

You have 600 ohm headphones. Did the first DAC have an integral headphone amp suitable for driving them?

[Werner Berghofer]

Did the first DAC have an integral headphone amp suitable for driving them?

Yes, the DAC’s designer claims this, but obviously I have a different opinion ;-) However, I did *not* use the DAC’s headphone amp, but my Valhalla stand-alone headphone amp instead. I did switch the DAC feeding its analogue output to the headphone amplifier, but kept the Toslink connection to the digital source as well as the headphone amplifier I already used.

Believe me: even with my 55 years old ears I certainly did hear the differences between the former and the new DAC. In fact, the differences are so clearly audible that I ordered a second model of the new DAC for my loudspeaker setup.

Werner.

[Domberlin]

Well, I can only write again, how much the sound of my Touch changed through the Bifrost. More than happy since day one and it keeps growing on me.

I had not expected to get so much joy from a DAC, so in my ears a DAC really makes a difference.