Digital Drive

RE: Sample files to compare streaming services

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This Post Has Been Edited by the Author

In Reply to: RE: Sample files to compare streaming services posted by AbeCollins on April 30, 2024 at 09:58:29

Abe, I'm not the best person to ask about streamers. I have been curious about whether there are observable sonic differences between files served up by Qobuz versus files served up by other streaming services when using the same hardware configuration.
But, I have the least possible interest in what hardware is used as the streamer.
I don't use streamer. I have no interest in having a "streamer." I simply use a NUC with Windows 10 and JRiver Media Center to serve up my files to my DAC. Most of what I listen to are files stored on hard drives. If I stream something (which I do only rarely), it comes through the NUC via a browser, not an app like Qobuz or Tidal.
This said, I have observed that the power supply will make a difference what I hear. And, I have no doubt that care with the power supply, noise and internal wiring configurations in the digital components of the audio chain will have an impact on the sound. It's just that the quality of the DAC is so much more important to the overall sound, imo. On that issue, you and I agree completely.

Edits: 04/30/24

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