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Technical Network Streamer Question

Do the internal electronics that receive and process the network signal from your computer and/or phone have any effect on the audio quality? 


Or in other words;  If I am using a separate stand alone DAC, does my choice in network streamer not matter?


Obviously each streamer supports different apps such as Sonos, Tidal and Apple Airplay, BUT for arguments sake if they all supported my app of choosing and I was using a separate DAC would they all produce the same end result audio quality, or do the electronics that process the incoming signal from the CAT5 LAN connection and/or wifi antenna play a part in the audio quality as well?
10000_hz_legend

Showing 1 response by audioengr

audioengr
3,282 posts
 

It matters big-time.  If you are using USB, the playback software, CODECs and the hardware/power supply all affect the SQ.  The jitter of the master clock inside matters.  Even after optimizing all of these, you still need one of these to clean-up the USB signal before it goes to your DAC:

https://sotm-usa.com/collections/sotm-ultra/products/copy-of-tx-usbultra-regenerator-1

Even using Ethernet networked audio (renderer), the router/switch matters, and the Ethernet cables matter.  The playback app still matters.  The jitter of the internal master clock matters.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio


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