when to upgrade to separates

[Pyrrho]

If one does not carefully level match the audio using the different methods, they will likely be at slightly different levels, which means that they won't sound the same. But that does not show that any of them are actually audibly better or worse; one has the same type of effect by adjusting the volume control. If it is turned up or down from a position, things sound different.

The level matching should be 0.1dB or less, which is not something the average person is going to be able to do, and consequently the average person isn't going to be in a position to test these things properly at all.

Have you tried a USB DAC with different drivers like WASAPI, ASIO, and Kernel streaming and altered some of the parameters?

This is presumably the same digital data sent to the DAC and yet clear differences in the sound quality can be heard. In this case, level matching is not required.

In an AVR/Preamp there are power supply difference, stray noise, etc. which do exist.
Some folks here must believe in that or they would not have shelled out for an AVP.

- Rich

With altered parameters, what makes you suppose the digital data is the same? What is it that you imagine is happening when the parameters are altered?

 

[RichB]

With altered parameters, what makes you suppose the digital data is the same? What is it that you imagine is happening when the parameters are altered?

I don't know.

One change that is fairly simple to hear is the padding from 24-bits to 32 bits within J River. In the case of the Oppo BDP-105, the USB driver and DAC is native 24 bits. This is not rocket science, but it is processing. That may change the data. I think there is only data and timing.

So maybe additional driver layers and/or alterations that alter the clocking of the data stream.

- Rich

 

[lsiberian]

The 805 has pre-outs. Why not get the amp now and then swap out the receiver for the pre-pro later?

 

[jalesi]

That's a good question. I was thinking of moving it to the bedroom or office. 3.1 for the bedroom or stereo in the office.