Any audiophile use computer (MacBook) as your audio streaming source?


I rarely see any audiophile talking about streaming audio digital sources from a computer. I understand MacBook can accept native lossless formats form all the various platforms, and it can store unlimited music files in any format, so supposedly it’s the best source, and the digital file is the most purest before it’s fed to the dac. Anyone compared the sound quality of computer vs other audio streamer? 

randywong

Showing 1 response by erik_squires

The challenge with a Macbook, along with any other PC is the potential for ground loops via USB and noise from the power supply.  Fix those two issues and they can be excellent.

Many high quality DAC's now are galvanically isolated USB inputs, so that's often not an issue.  The next issue is if your charger creates too much noise.  easy to tell by unplugging the charger from the wall and listening. This also eliminates ground loop issues, which may only occur with non-portable PCs.