Intro
Contents
April this year we did a test of entry-level streamers up to a maximum of 1000 Euro. There were quite a few models then that we did not include. In short: there was bound to be a part two. This time we managed to collect six models: all around 1000 Euro. Although we cheated a bit with an SMSL duo…. :-).
By now there are quite a lot of interesting streamers to be found in the class around 1000 Euro. In the previous stream we also passed by the FIIO R7 and the Primo. Now the FIIO will set you back around 749 Euro, but with a nice power supply it will cost you around 1000 Euro. Just like with the Primo. And you can bet this extra investment will improve the sound!
The test setup
We tested the six models in our reference system. Regular readers and viewers are most likely familiar with this set-up. Now in this stream, we don’t need the Sonnet Pasithea dac. And neither does the Alpha Audio PC. That leaves
- Pass Labs XP-12
- Pass Labs X150.8
- TAD Evolution 2 speakers
- Cabling from Van den Hul, Grimm, Yeti and Driade
- Isotek Titan V power conditioner
At the Live stream test you can listen in on how these streamers sound. The video can be found at the end of this elaboration
The candidates
We have
- Bluesound Node X
- Volumio Primo
- SMSL SD-9 and SU-10
- JBL MP350
- IFI Neo Stream
- Eversolo DMP-A6
Let’s kick things off!
Ifi Neo stream , the optical network connection generates more noise!!!! How is that possible?
The optical should disappear noise not introduce it? Why didn’t you try with a better power supply?
The power supply is the issue. And we test as-is. This is how you buy the streamer.
So the provided power x is for the neo stream only and the small usb ps causes all the problem?
Yes
Since the noise is generated in the eth to optical box shouldn’t be eliminated during the optical transfer to the streamer?
Apparently not… I measured multiple times…
So is it safe to assume that optical connection isn’t the holly grail for noise isolation? Or the measured noise might appear from another source?
I guess the implementation is just badly done… I never measured issues with other streamers.
In this instance the noise is probably injected in the signal before conversion to light. On the other end, the signal is simply converted back, including the noise.
No, optical isn’t a/the holy grail. If it would be, we all would use Toslink.
In case of this iFi streamer: just hook it up with a regular Ethernet cable, put a switch before it (one we tested adequate) and the result is good.
That…
Kind of ironic that an iFi product introduces noise with a supplied power supply, don’t you think?
Question, what are your settings for the dScope III? I typically use 100K input impedance, sample rate 192K, 32K FFT Prism-7 window and average over 8 samples. Your low end measurements look a little off. One thing you also have to remember is the VBUS/GND is tied to the internal supply and therefore you can get ground loops really easy when testing.
Thanks,
Gordon
Interesting test! Thank you. Going above 1000 eur by a coupld hundred the Eversolo Master version should do even better on the jitter front due to the femto clock and op amps. Would be interesting to measuer that one also.
We will test it as well