Sound quality difference on streamers if using external DAC?

[Peter Larsen]

I was wondering whether there is any difference in sound quality between streamers if you don't use their built in sound, but use them via coaxial to an external DAC?

Isn't the most important aspect of choosing a streamer if you like its interface? How much of an influence does the streamer iself have on sound quality if used with an external DAC?

 

[fr0g]

I was wondering whether there is any difference in sound quality between streamers if you don't use their built in sound, but use them via coaxial to an external DAC?

Isn't the most important aspect of choosing a streamer if you like its interface? How much of an influence does the streamer iself have on sound quality if used with an external DAC?

My opinion...none.

Others will disagree, but so long as the optical out can deliver a bit-perfect signal then you're good to go.

I doubt a bat could ABX transports.

People will talk about jitter, but most DACs will handle it, and the amounts they produce are IMO inaudible.

 

[ngibbs]

I was wondering whether there is any difference in sound quality between streamers if you don't use their built in sound, but use them via coaxial to an external DAC?

Isn't the most important aspect of choosing a streamer if you like its interface? How much of an influence does the streamer iself have on sound quality if used with an external DAC?

My opinion...none.

Others will disagree, but so long as the optical out can deliver a bit-perfect signal then you're good to go.

I doubt a bat could ABX transports.

People will talk about jitter, but most DACs will handle it, and the amounts they produce are IMO inaudible.

For me there IS a difference. Whether it's down to a jitter-intolerant dac or not I can't say, but I've found that on both of mine (Cyrus DAC XP and Metrum Acoustics Octave) my Synology NAS + streamer sounds better than my Sonos. I bought the Sonos as a temporary replacement when my CD player was at the repairs (back when I used a CD player), and I didn't think it was much cop then, sound-wise, and I haven't changed my mind since (though setting the volume at fixed has improved things marginally). It's functionality and interface are second to none, however, which is why it still gets used for radio and Spotify.

 

[abacus]

Providing no external changes are made to it the digital stream will be the same no matter what you send it through, (Analogue characteristics cannot be applied to digital) the sound difference comes from how good the DAC (And its associated components) power supply and analogue section are.

Hope this helps

Bill

 

[Peter Larsen]

Thanks for replying. I pretty much agree with all your statements. My Rega DAC handles jitter pretty effectively and in combo with my Squeezebox touch sounds amazing. I use aSynology NAS.

Regarding Sonos, didn't it take a while for them to support 96Khz?