Omega and Inakustik 2404 (along with Sablon EVO) are on my USB cable list, not to mention Stealth. I’d like to test and compare them. With my usual boring and detailed score charts, of course. How I enjoy doing that, you know!. Having tried ArgentoAudio (XLR AES/EBU) this is another brand on my radar for that purpose.
I’m actually happy with my PinkFaun USB… but… unlike Donald, I’m afraid my journey is never ending (until bankruptcy at least).
The problem is finding a dealer able to arrange a home audition.
My mention of the Matrix is in response to this statement …
The AirLens is more than a DDC, but by aangen’s definition it’s not a streamer. It does have the Convers module in it that I was under the assumption can connect direct to the internet to streaming services, e.g., Qobuz, Tidal, etc. If there is something in between the AirLens (or Bridge II) and the internet when using the MControl app to listen to Qobuz, please explain. I would also like to see an industry agreed upon definition of what a streamer is. I’m not saying anyone is wrong here, but my experience so far has been limited to the Bridge II by which I could listen to local files and stream Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz, and internet radio. I’m getting the feeling the term “streamer” has been used rather loosely here, and that grates on some folks so help me reach enlightenment …
Be nice, wouldn’t it
I started a block diagram breaking down the various components in a streaming chain from storage to DAC chip and which boxes they could sit in but didn’t get any traction and realised everyone had a different definition…
My feeling is that as streamers have evolved people expect more. Not sure a streamer has to have a physical input or storage to access to be a streamer. that is now crossing the line to music server. I think in EU they like to call them Transports, which is more of what Al is referring to. Probably a better name.
Well, yes, but, what if it is using USB to link to the DAC?
In that case the “streamer” is just moving bits, but not creating a synchronous stream, that is happening inside the DAC (in the XMOS chip or similar), or maybe in the “DDC”* if you are using a Matrix USB-> coax/I2S box.
…but some streamers are only renderers that can have stuff pushed to them from a server (which some folks call a streamer since it is streaming content to a renderer) and may be controlled by the server, on the renderer (if it has a screen), or a 3rd party app elsewhere on the network.
* only to me, the Matrix is NOT a DDC as it is just converting media and generating the sync stream, whereas (to me) a DDC would also be capable of e.g. changing bit depth, embedded flags (pre-emph, copyright, AES/SPDIF format), maybe sample rate, etc. etc. although the latter is also including an ASRC.
…
so, er, yeah, I realised the block diagram would just end up stuck in debate hell so I didn’t take it any further.
I know what I mean, and I can usually translate that from what others mean…
Following Donald’s advice I tried the Puritan feeding the PST (and the DAC). I promise, this is my final test guys.
Incredible! Stunning! Extraordinary!
Kidding apart, I’m not able to hear the difference… just a subtle prevalence in blacker background that cleans voices and bring a false perception of openness and clarity but at the expense of the texture and organic structure especially in low frequencies. We are talking about tiny differences but I like more the P20 for the PST for a sense of lifelike realism and a more organic sound. Even though someone could prefer the Puritan for a fraction due to a more revealing and unveiled presentation.
Long story short: so subtle differences don’t matter IME and I keep going through the P20.
No more tests since now on, sorry for my last days boring and repetitive comments,
Back to “what the hell is a streamer” that is more funny!
Unfortunately it doesn’t! But it is able to roll out the dough for tagliatelle, whip cream, make ice cream and make linens perfumed. It also makes crystal glasses shine without using rinse aid. Do you want me to recommend it to your ladies, guys?
Ok, the Puritan helps the Dac/ preamp. Is there a solution? A single filter. Why many open sockets that you don’t use. Isotek has single filters. Is there something like that from Puritan? Such a part only for the Dac or preamp would be helpful and space-saving.
In effect I like it only with DAC and AMP, not Pre (that I’m using now exclusively for analog and fed by the P20).
I bought the Puritan 156 for a different reason, when a few months ago I was in trouble with a noisy P15 aimed to feed 2 M1200s and eventually 2 RELs. So 6 outlets seemed to me enough to keep open more future scenarios.
There are other Puritan products but only the 156 sports 52 filer elements, I have no experience with the others so I’m not able to understand how much these elements might make any difference. Anyhow I can suggest it as an add on more than a set of expensive fuse (thinking how I spent during the last years for a lot of Purple, M-1, Master), not a replacement of a P20.
Your conundrum put me in mind of one of my favorite “quips”:
In 1964, Justice Potter Stewart tried to explain "hard-core " pornography, or what is obscene, by saying, “I shall not today attempt further to define the kinds of material I understand to be embraced… [b]ut I know it when I see it …”
