Streaming Audio, what happened?

Posted by: Dustysox on 26 June 2014

Wow, how things have moved on...I turn my back for 5 mins!

 

Where to begin? Since the release of Naims Statement which has nothing to do with streaming as such, the whole streaming topic thanks to Ethernet cables and of course Hugo has put streaming definately on the map. I wonder if Naim we're thinking of releasing "MOAD" and along comes this little box (Hugo) and changes the whole game, and for not alot of money. 

 

Then out of the blue Ethernet cables start to join centre stage. Who would of thought?

 

So, whilst I was thinking of adding 555PS to my NDS, I wonder if a Hugh and one of those very expensive Ethernet cables might be a better move.

 

Am I nuts, yes probably and it's good to be back!! 

 

Hi to one and all in these very interesting times.

Posted on: 26 June 2014 by Bert Schurink

Blue Ethernetcables, you make me wondering - what type of cables are you talking about ?

Posted on: 26 June 2014 by DaveBk

It's been a fun couple of months Dusty... I've resisted joining the Hugo debate as it's existence does not stop my NDS / 555 PS DR sounding excellent... I'm sure the Hugo is a great bit of kit, but for now I'm happy with what I've got... And who needs ethernet cables when you've got fibre.. 

Posted on: 26 June 2014 by Dustysox
Originally Posted by Bert Schurink:

Blue Ethernetcables, you make me wondering - what type of cables are you talking about ?

It's a very rude cable Bert 

Posted on: 26 June 2014 by Simon-in-Suffolk

Dave, talking of which, did you ever conclude your fibre listening tests?

Posted on: 26 June 2014 by Dustysox
Originally Posted by DaveBk:

It's been a fun couple of months Dusty... I've resisted joining the Hugo debate as it's existence does not stop my NDS / 555 PS DR sounding excellent... I'm sure the Hugo is a great bit of kit, but for now I'm happy with what I've got... And who needs ethernet cables when you've got fibre.. 

Hi Dave,

 

Long time no speak, I hope you are well.

 

Good point. It is exciting times for sure. Something that Digital has needed...an injection of analogue!!!

Posted on: 26 June 2014 by Steve J

Hi Dusty,

 

Even I have decided to dip my toe into this area. I have the new PS Audio DirectStream DAC and the Hugo on home demo ATM. No ethernet cables for me though as I'm running direct from the MacMini/WD Raid with USB.

 

ATB

 

Steve

Posted on: 26 June 2014 by Dustysox
Originally Posted by Steve J:

Hi Dusty,

 

Even I have decided to dip my toe into this area. I have the new PS Audio DirectStream DAC and the Hugo on home demo ATM. No ethernet cables for me though as I'm running direct from the MacMini/WD Raid with USB.

 

ATB

 

Steve

Hi Steve,

 

Good to hear from you. Now that is interesting. Would luv to hear your thoughts on that? 

 

Pleas keep us posted.

Posted on: 26 June 2014 by DaveBk

Dusty and Simon,

 

I'm well thanks and in the middle of a major construction project building a new dedicated listening room. I'm posting a blog over on the Tom Tom Audio Club site which has some pictures. I'm taking July off work to crack on with this project with the expectation that I'll finish the build so can get the decorators and carpet fitters in in August. September should be the grand debut and I'm really looking forward to It...

 

The fibre network is working fine, but I'm considering it as a running in period for the power supply as I can't easily run the fibre close to the NDS until I relocate to the new room. I still have a 12-15m run of cat6 in place from the media converter to the NDS so it's not really a realistic test.

 

Dave

Posted on: 27 June 2014 by elkman70

I to have moved from CD to streaming/ computer audio via MacMini/ teddydac, and have to say that my cds3 is now getting very little use.

 

Streaming/ computer audio is the future.....for now.

 

Regards,

 

Nick

Posted on: 27 June 2014 by Harry

No Dusty, you're not nuts. Little has changed in the last 30 years. Now and again a DAC pops up that pushes the reset button. Arcam and Pink Triangle did it in the 80s and now it's Chord's turn. In the same vein, digital interconnects have always made a difference and Ethernet cables are no different. Early adopters got ridiculed as usual, now that the discussion is broader and based on a wider user base, many of us have long since moved on.

 

555PS on your NDS? Well, one should always audition but I personally don't doubt that will be a no brainer. Don't listen to two.

Posted on: 27 June 2014 by Dustysox
Originally Posted by Harry:

No Dusty, you're not nuts. Little has changed in the last 30 years. Now and again a DAC pops up that pushes the reset button. Arcam and Pink Triangle did it in the 80s and now it's Chord's turn. In the same vein, digital interconnects have always made a difference and Ethernet cables are no different. Early adopters got ridiculed as usual, now that the discussion is broader and based on a wider user base, many of us have long since moved on.

 

555PS on your NDS? Well, one should always audition but I personally don't doubt that will be a no brainer. Don't listen to two.

 Hi Harry,

 

Great to hear from you, are you sure i'm not nuts..have a chat with the wife!!

 

So, as i sit here listening to a NDS/552/500/600's and a twenty quid ethernet cable...I guess i'm nuts!!

 

Discuss please gents. Is this like a naim 555CD without puck?

Posted on: 27 June 2014 by Harry

If you like how it sounds you are in a good place. Possibly a better place than most. There are countless things you could potentially do to make your system sound different and some of these differences you might perceive as better. When a change entails the spending of significant amounts of money it's classified as an upgrade. And I think that for some people this is the point at which it goes wrong. I've "downgraded" my Ethernet cable into NDS and I prefer how it sounds. I think mine cost forty quid.

Posted on: 27 June 2014 by Simon-in-Suffolk
Originally Posted by Harry:

When a change entails the spending of significant amounts of money it's classified as an upgrade. And I think that for some people this is the point at which it goes wrong....

+1

Posted on: 01 July 2014 by DHT

The measurements for the new PS Audio Dac are the worst, according to HFN.

H

Posted on: 01 July 2014 by james n
Originally Posted by DHT:

The measurements for the new PS Audio Dac are the worst, according to HFN.

H

Not the way i read it.

Posted on: 01 July 2014 by Steve J

Nor me. Their findings with the listening tests did, to a large extent, mirror what I found in my home demo. HFN didn't wax lyrical about the SQ of lossless rips from CDs and described it as "less forward sounding and more 'rounded'." This, I guess is journalistic speak for what I described as 'veiled' in my own review.

 

I take very little notice of Lab Reports and other technical data and just let my own ears decide. On paper the PS Audio DAC should have creamed the Hugo but it didn't for me.

 

Steve