Someone on Head-Fi is insisting that his $8,000 Aurender N10 sounds “way better” than an RPI or the iFi Zen Stream, because “better” power supplies, better clock, and “etc”. He is being very contentious.
I asked him how a power supply could have any influence on a device that exists solely in the digital realm. I asked why an expensive “clock” is necessary with existing clock buffers in modern DACs. I asked what “etc” was. Answer was “you’re wrong—I’ve heard the difference and it sounds better”.
In my estimation, if there were any errors being introduced in a digital stream prior to the DAC, they would manifest as glitches, pops, or dropouts, not in changes to the “sound signature”. Am I mistaken? Are there any factors in a pure digital transport that would separate a more costly option from a well-made RPI?
Also, are there any factors that affect sound quality with power supplies prior to the amplification stage? How could a power supply providing AC voltage to an RPI or streamer have any influence on resultant sound, or perform any function other than making the thing work as intended? How does power supply “quality” affect a device solely in the digital realm, including DACs?
I ask about the N10 because like the ZS it is a “pure” streamer with no built-in DAC or DSP functions, and it costs $8,000, vs $399 for the Zen Stream.
@solderdude, could you perhaps weigh in here? I argue that the data they present to the DAC should be identical. If there are other factors I’m overlooking I welcome any feedback.