Hello everyone!
I've been experimenting with a lot of streamers over the last three months.
My system consists of:
- T+A DAC 200
- T+A A 200
- Sonus faber Minima Amator
I've purchased the following streamers:
1. Apple TV via HDMI connected to the DAC 200 module
2. Auralic Aries G1 via coaxial cable
3. Bluesound Node N130 with Dirac Live
The Apple TV was the only streamer that could natively output Apple Music. However, playback is limited to a maximum of 48 kHz, and settings can only be adjusted on the TV, with control via the iPad/iPhone.
Overall, I quite liked this solution. But it was cumbersome to handle and use on a daily basis.
The Auralic Aries G1 is quite a nice device. Heavy, powerful, and solidly built. But the display is no longer up-to-date, and I no longer liked the look.
I bought the Bluesound Node N130 used and acquired the Dirac Live license, as well as a MiniDSP Umik-1 microphone.
I had some money left over after selling the Auralic.
The sound was identical on all three devices. At most, there were nuances that were noticeable now and then.
The DAC 200 processes everything you feed it with the utmost precision, eliminating any jitter. The T+A stuff is decent.
I was hoping for something from Dirac Live the most. But the result was more than disappointing. I really didn't like Dirac Live with the NAD house curve. Suddenly, my beautiful Sonus Faber headphones sounded like software. Thin and sterile. Even manual adjustments didn't really produce the desired result.
Frustrated, I sold the Node. And Dirac Live gave me my money back. Luckily, they were very accommodating within 30 days.
By the way, the quality of the stream from the Auralic and the Node came from Tidal.
But with the Auralic and the Node, I also got a message on the analog indicators on my DAC 200 indicating that the streaming quality was fluctuating.
The clock frequency and error rate were fluctuating significantly. So, the clock wasn't precise enough, and the T+A had to intervene significantly.
I've now had the little WiiM Pro since today, and I'm absolutely happy with this little device.
Connecting to the DAC 200 via coaxial cable delivers much better quality. The clock frequency is correct, and there are no error rates!
The room correction really works super easily. As I learned in the app, only a few peaks were smoothed out. The bass was equalized. The result amazes me. My speakers have never sounded so clean!
Thank you so much, WiiM. I hope you're reading along.
The coolest thing, by the way, is that the WiiM Pro connects via USB-C to the USB-B output of my DAC 200. The T+A's charging port delivers a clean 5V/1A.