Bits and Pieces
I’m a software engineer by training and a computer scientist by profession, so understand binary 0 and 1. I’ve tried a number of network bridges and they have either reduced or not changed the musicality of my high fidelity system.
My hi-fi setup is Sonus Faber Electa Amator 2 augmented with Tannoy ST100 Super tweeters, REL Carbon Limited, Audio Research VT80SE, Chord DAVE + Mscaler connected via dual BNC, speaker cable Townshend Audio Fractal F1 and hooked up to the grid via a Shunyata Denali 6000 power conditioner, with Russ Andrews 500 Powerkords connecting the equipment to the Denali. All equipment is isolated on my custom Soundations equipment rack and the REL, VT80SE and Sonus Faber on Townshend Audio Seismic Podiums and Pods.
I have previous tried adding a Roon bridge with Pro-ject Stream Ultra 2 reducing musicality and the Aualic Aries G1 making no difference, however this changed with the dCS Network Bridge. I did serious A-B listening with the dCS NB connected via S/PDIF to Msclaer and QNAP Roon direct via USB to Mscaler these are my findings.
I trust my ears and am fortunate to be able to see live music both amplified and unamplified on a regular basis. Adding the network bridge to my system elevated the musicality to another level, with vocals especially affected, with a more natural presentation and a general more spatial presentation of the performance with separation, it sounds like a band, but playing in unison with every member able to be heard contributing to the sum of the parts being greater than the whole. The bass which is the foundation for music has acquired new found texture and tonality, a walking double bass is my benchmark and the harmonics are bang on. All frequencies benefit, with an added shimmer and decay to notes where there is some.
The much maligned at the time Sade and her “Never as good as the first time” has never sounded as live and musical with all band members clearly contributing to the groove and Sade sounding more sultry than ever.
If you value musicality and a natural presentation then the dCS Network Bridge is a must audition