Streamers

[Classicrock]

The whole point is the streamer is part convenience / lifestyle. So Richard you have found a cheap DAC but I think peeps that are using streamer plus expensive DAC are just prepared to spend more for a slick PC free system with a bit better sound. I don't doubt you are getting 80-90% of the sound for peanuts. Is there a link to that cheap Dac? Anyway would not have a PC anywhere near my main system. Always found laptop sourced music at shows to be underwhelming to say the least. Decent vinyl playback just makes it even worse in comparison.

[Simon Hickie]

Anyway would not have a PC anywhere near my main system. Always found laptop sourced music at shows to be underwhelming to say the least. Decent vinyl playback just makes it even worse in comparison.

At shows, yes. That's because most exhibitors get it wrong both in terms of software and cabling. By contrast, I've found vinyl underwhelming and 'safe' compared with good computer based audio. Passing a signal over a USB cable that's also carrying a dirty 5v supply from the computer is just asking for trouble.

[CN211276]

I have no use for smart phones and am a computer dunce but moved with the times as far as audio playback is concerned, as soon as I was convinced that SQ is not comprimised. As well as improving SQ the microRendu allows me to access Tidal hifi and my former CD collection, via the NAS, from the sofa. I do not spend time looking at the screen of the tablet, I simply pick an album, sit back and enjoy.

[savvypaul]

The whole point is the streamer is part convenience / lifestyle. So Richard you have found a cheap DAC but I think peeps that are using streamer plus expensive DAC are just prepared to spend more for a slick PC free system with a bit better sound. I'm don't doubt you are getting 80-90% of the sound for peanuts.

I think the observations re paying a higher price for convenience, improved SQ and slick interface are fair comment. I compared my Sonore set up to 'luxury' products - Naim and Auralic - and thought the Sonore very good value in those contexts, but I didn't get creative in the way Doc has with exploring the non-mainstream products available from China.

Doc's sub £100 set up certainly seems like a bargain. Listening to 320k Swiss Radio stream in Doc's workroom, if he'd told me that he had a £500 dac plugged in then I wouldn't have batted an eyelid.

I do fancy putting together some sort of digital bake-off next year. I'd be keen to include Doc's set up in that...

[CN211276]

I would be very interested in a digital bake off.

[George Hincapie]

I may be able to host.

[savvypaul]

Talk of the devil...

I was just about to say:

George Hincapie has recently posted about a new £200 Raspberry Pi based board that has outdone his £1500 set up. That would be good to hear, too.

[Dr Bunsen Honeydew]

I can't find these anymore so maybe it can't be duplicated.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FANMUSIC-FM-6 ... true&rt=nc

[Ithilstone]

FANMUSIC FM-6011 I found my on Amazon
but it is out of stock there as well maybe AliExpress???
BTW Doc do you have a link to that DAC of yours and better power supply ??
I looked at it at your place but didnt identify model or name or anything

[Dr Bunsen Honeydew]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hifi-linear-D ... 2749.l2649

The DAC is sold by dozens of people https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/sis.html?_nk ... 2749.l2658