Are dedicated streamers worth it?

Streaming Audio
103

I auditioned a Lumin U2 Mini with a Weiss DAC204 a few weeks ago. I thought the Lumin was pretty decent. I ended up not needing it after all, once I ordered a different DAC than I auditioned.

I think the advantage of having separate streaming transport and DAC is the flexibility, and the ability to upgrade one or the other when desired. The disadvantage is the requirement for another cable to connect the two.

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104

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So now the ATC SCM20ASL’s have finally arrived - I re- ran the A/B test with the MacBook vs the NDX5 XS2.

To test three hypothesis:

  1. My hearing is pants and so I should give this all up - sell all of my gear (I’ve got another 3 system’s ) and take my wife on a three month bucket list world tour. And when I got back I’ll just grab a crappy AM radio and be done win it all.

2.This system is even more transparent than my previous ATC SCM 11 driven by an ATC P1.

  1. There is no noticeable audible difference between the two sources - and as this is a very transparent set up - I should be able to hear it. And so making a streamer (sorry…. this particular streamer redundant!).

Ok so I don’t actually test the first hypothesis as that would have required getting others involved to see if they could hear any differences. And honestly….the thought terrifies me - so I’m gonna leave that one untested until a healthcare professional formerly diagnoses me with dodgy hearing !

And to be fair to me - the reason I’m on this fabulous forum is because having taken a punt on a one box solution for my bedroom (the mind blowing Uniti Atom) - I did an A/B test with that box of magic against the 120W Arcam SA30 driving the ATC SCM11’s - and was blown away by just how much better the 40W Atom was. Despite the almost gospel like mantra of ATC’s requiring lots of power. So I’m holding onto the belief I can hear differences in HiFi gear… for now!

And also to be fair - given I’d already parted with the old gear I didn’t also test Hypothesis 2.

So - it was all about Hypothesis 3.

And nope - listening to a wide range of music over nearly three hours - I couldn’t tell them apart.

So I guess I’d need to spend a lot more on an even better streamer to outgun the current set up.

Yes the USB cable is a tad annoying - but not well over £2k annoying !

The NDX5 is back in the main downstairs AV system where it will stay.

This will now remain my office system as the upgrade bug has totally gone away now for ever and ever…:rofl::roll_eyes::cry:

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105

Th se sound like fabulous options to explore. Thanks @Thomas ! Very much appreciated . I’m interested in the Mola Mola - not least for its cool name! Thanks again.