Digital Drive Upsamplers, DACs, jitter, shakes and analogue withdrawals, this is it.

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We have different priorities

Posted by E-Stat (A) on April 9, 2025 at 06:59:07

In Reply to: RE: Just rule out... posted by cawson@onetel.com on April 9, 2025 at 03:58:18:

but your comment about all-in-ones needs questioning.

We do, however, agree that all-in-ones offer two real advantages:

1. Cheap
2. Compact

Which are important considerations for the garage system. I'm happy using a $230 Chi-Fi Fosi integrated/DAC fed by an RPi3 streamer.



I am not, however, faced with either compromise in the main system. My budget supports better and space is a non-issue in that 25'x16' room.



The obvious advantages is that there are no interconnects involved...

I find that low EDC cabling works well as my components were designed for use with balanced connections.

there's no need for multiple power supplies

The LAST THING I would ever want to do is locate high energy 500 joule power supplies within inches of a high gain phono preamp. Much less cheap, high RFI switch mode units. My DAC alone has separate power supplies for the digital and analog sections. Isolation is most certainly a good thing.

Also, a multi-box system always has a weak link that one is looking to upgrade - leading to a fresh weak link.

This makes no sense at all as the situation exists for every component over time. The key difference, however, is how much needs to be replaced in order to benefit.

I continue to use power amps purchased in 2001. No need to replace them as I've upgraded the preamp and digital front end components.

I continue to use a preamp purchased in 2014. No need to replace it as I've upgraded the digital front end components.

I continue to use a DAC purchased (used) in 2016. No need to replace the streamer.

Over the past dozen years, streamers have indeed changed quite a bit. I've enjoyed taking advantage of multiple higher performance levels without have to throw the baby out with the bath water! Which you have done four times since then!

for those with genuinely full-range main speakers and who want to add subs to minimise room effects

Lucky lad that I am, my dedicated room has nearly Golden Ratios. With careful speaker and bass trap placement, I get remarkably flat measured in-room response to 25 hz. Plot available in gallery. Subs unnecessary. They are, however, implemented in the HT with the smaller stats where I've likewise enjoyed the benefits of separates. I'm on my third processor given the changes in HDMI and introduction of ATMOS while continuing to use the same power amp purchased in 2011.

Not everyone shares the compromises you face. To each his own guvnor. :)

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