Hi,
First off, I really like bulleted questions! They really help to ensure that your questions are clear and are parsed out. Thanks!
- When streaming you have any other connections to [DS DAC]
a. Other than ethernet I have only tried USB to the DS. I used a number of different Roon endpoints from a Pi w/Hat, Sonore and SoTM. All were connected to the DS via USB. If it were not for the Bridge II, I would have settled on a Sonore ultraRendu. It sounded great, it’s very reliable, and upgrades are simple. I was powering the ultraRendu with a Uptone UltraCap LPS 1.2 which works great and aesthetically matches the ultraRendu. I use a similar setup in my office feeding a Chord Hugo2. It sounds fantastic in a near field listening setup.
- Do you use any ethernet enhancers.
a. I have tried just a few tweaks but haven’t (yet) tried something like an EtherRegen.
b. I have a Ubiquiti Unifi Network which has a core switch from which I have other local switches hung off of via fibre. Our Roon ROCK server is connected directly to the core. One of the secondary switches is attached to the back of my media cabinet. All devices that have an ethernet connection are attached to this switch. Things like Control4, Shield Pro, Anthem AVR, Oppo 205, and currently the DS.
c. I have tried running a fiber home run from the core to a fiber ethernet media converter to the DS. I powered the converter with a Teddy Pardo LPS. I felt that this configuration sounded the same (to me) as a CAT"X" cable connected to the media cabinet switch to the DS.
d. CAT”X” - I’ve tried a number of different ethernet cables from 5e to 8. I’ve also tried cables from a number of vendors and have found that I couldn’t hear the difference between 6A, 7, and 8. I’ve settled on a .75M Audioquest Diamond Cat7 cable. Why? I owned it. Otherwise, I would have left the CAT8 cable that I made myself.
e. I am in the process of switching from a BDI media cabinet to a Salamander. Once that is done the next thing on my roadmap is to play with an EtherRegen.
I will fully admit that I have no formal critical listening training. I have read and watched numerous videos on this subject. In short I have a handful of tracks that I have identified as my test tracks. I use these same tracks whenever I make a change. I listen as closely as I can via speaker and headphone. I also try to do this critical listening at night. Regeneration is one of the reasons I am changing to a Salamander cabinet. I cannot fit a PP 12 or 15 in my current cabinet.
At the end of the day, I am in search of a sound that feels right to me. I am sure there are many who when given the chance would really like “my sound” and others would cringe and run from the room hands clamped over their ears.
I hope this helps, I may be on the verge of word salad.