Joe
Bluesound Node @ $599 and use one of your many wonderful DAC's if/when you don't like the on board dac.
NODE - Bluesound
then again, you already own the NAD C 658 streamer so I guess you are not looking at a cheap option??
Have you used your Topping and RME DAC's with the NAD?
Laptop>usb>DACI listen to a lot of stations/streams in addition to the major services that aren’t as easily accessible via the software. My modified Sonos does a better job in that respect, but the same quality isn’t there for several reasons.
hooking a dac directly to a computer is in general a bad idea. Exceptions are those audiophilic build computers like the Taiko, but these kind of pc's are far from cheap.Laptop>usb>DAC
I use an Audioengine D2 (24/96 wireless bit transfer) instead of a physical cable.
But it in one of the greatest tragedies in human history, they appear to have discontinued it.
I'd have to research who makes an equivalent, not sure ATM.
cheers,
AJ
No. That has zero to do with what I suggested. There is no such boogiemen, distortion, etc. at optical output of the D2 whatsoever, the speaker input (the DAC part) or speaker output>ears. All measurable electrically and verifiable perceptually in the really real world.A computer has in general a poor audioclock, a poor powersupply and alot of electronical distortion.
My situation has changed a little and I’d like to experiment without breaking the bank.
I listen to a lot of stations/streams in addition to the major services that aren’t as easily accessible via the software.
Detection threshold for distortions due to jitter on digital audiothe lowest level of jitter to be audible was around 10 ns (rms). This was on a 17 kHz sine wave test signal. With music, no listeners found jitter audible at levels lower than 20 ns.
IOW, only something completely broken (or "audiophile 'design'") could remotely approach audible jitter.Professional audio engineers, sound engineers, audio critics and semi-professional musicians participated as listeners. The listeners were allowed to use their own listening environments and their favorite sound materials. It was shown that the detection threshold for random jitter was several hundreds ns for well-trained listeners under their preferable listening conditions.
Hmmm, isn't it audiophiles that swear by "listening", not measurements??
Well, lets see what "listening" with "use your ears" says:
AES E-Library >> Theoretical and Audible Effects of Jitter on Digital Audio Quality
Detection threshold for distortions due to jitter on digital audio
IOW, only something completely broken (or "audiophile 'design'") could remotely approach audible jitter.
Never mind that analog vinyl/tape tec has 1000x more timing and distortion errors...and audiophile love the sound of that.
lol