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

They are all computers, but some more optimized than others.

If your preference is to use your MacBook, and not switch to a purpose built streamer, then inserting a DDC in front of your DAC for galvanic isolation and reclocking could provide noticeable benefits.  You could try this one, which can also be used as a streamer, but there are also less expensive options like this one, or this one.

At under $1K, as previously recommended.  Can be used as a stand alone streamer or as a DDC with your computer.

@oberoniaomnia 

"Could it be that the DAC in the streamer is better than what you used when using a computer as file source?"

I have owned multiple streamers, from folks like Metrum, Antipodes, Sonore, Mojo Audio, and Small Green Computer, and some of those were server/streamers, but I have never owned a streamer/DAC combination.  The combination of a DAC within a streamer, or server/streamer, is not unheard of but also not common with the equipment used by most on this forum.

There is a lot to unpack here, and the OP should really do more research on this site, as well as looking at offerings by manufacturers, just to see what is out there.  If they need file storage, then they may need a server since many streamers do not offer storage.  If they want to run Roon, they will need something to operate Roon Core.  A computer will do those things, as will a server, but not all streamers.  So, questions include:

• do they need storage for their own music files or do they simply want to stream from the internet, 
• how do they plan to interface with their music, i.e., using Roon, or other platforms,
• is this a first step toward an overall digital playback system that they intend to grow, or are they looking for a one and done solution, and 
• what is their budget and time frame?

There is no roadmap for exactly how to get there but it does help to start with the end in mind.

And yet, one of audio's long-time reviewers (Srajan Ebaen with 6moons) uses an iMac as his source in his main system.  Of course he has add-ons, such as an outboard SSD, Singxer SU-6 DDC, and LHY Audio switch, but still.  He recently used that source when reviewing the 20,000 euro Cube Audio Lotus 10 speakers.

To the OP, I suggest you try Holo Audio's Red DDC/Streamer for $800.  You can first try it as a DDC between your MacBook and DAC, and then maybe as a stand-alone streamer.  If you use Roon, you could try running Roon core on your MacBook and Roon Ready player on the Red, as a streamer.  Later, if you choose to add a server, you could try one of the SGC models or one from Roon, run it on your network, and use the Red as your streamer.  Even if you eventually upgrade to a better streamer, or a server/streamer, the Red is one of the better measuring DDCs that offers both galvanic isolation and reclocking prior to your DAC.  It also outputs I2S in the event you purchase a DAC with that type of input.  The Singxer SU-6 DDC is also good but the ability to use the Red as a streamer also may make that a better deal for you.  Lots of versatility and something that could make an immediate positive improvement, without changing out your MacBook, for only $800. 

I went back and read the OP’s original post from 10-2, as well as their one follow-up post from 10-3. I don’t believe the responses have addressed the OP’s actual questions.

It seems the OP already owns an EVERSOLO DMP-A8 combination network streamer/DAC/preamplifier that you can read about here, and also a McIntosh C53 preamp, which also includes an onboard DA2 DAC. The OP is apparently using the DMP-A8 as a streamer only (presumably connected to their network via Ethernet LAN), and then to output a digital signal via coax to the C53, which is performing DAC and preamp duties.

The OP’s questions, as I understand them are:

Original question from 10-2: Should I purchase a MacBook to replace the DMP-A8 streamer. Answer: Probably not. Based on what I have read of the DMP-A8, it should be competent as a streamer and, since it can output a digital signal, you can use it as a streamer only, and bypass the DAC and preamp sections of the DMP-A8 in favor of the presumably superior (in your words) DAC and preamp sections of your McIntosh C53 DA2.

Second question from 10-3 post: Should I change the digital coax cable I am using to feed the C53 to a giga lan or usb cable? Answer: The C53 does not appear to have a LAN input, so no to that option. Regarding coax vs. USB, my experience is that with all but the most optimized DACs, I like the sound of the coax input better than USB. However, every situation is unique and it would be very easy for you to A/B compare your coax cable input into the C53 against using a USB input, since the C53 takes either. Therefore, try both and choose whichever connection sounds best to you.

It is important to have clarity when posters discuss a "streamer" or a "server" in these threads. I believe there is sometimes confusion over a poster’s intent without clarifying whether they are talking about a server, a streamer, or a combined server/streamer unit.

If Roon is involved there can be a separate core/server and a separate "audio device" (sometimes called a streamer, endpoint, renderer, or network music player) playing Roon Ready. These two functions can also be located within the same device as with the Antipodes K50 or Oladra, Grimm Audio MU1, or Roon’s own Nucleus. Other devices like the Grimm MU2 might add a DAC and sometimes a preamp for a complete one-box digital source solution.

There are also pure streamers (some with file storage) that can run Tidal and Qobuz through their manufacturer’s own streaming platform, without using Roon. Examples would include Innuos Pulsar and Auralic ARIES G2.2, just to name two.

At the lower price end, Roon’s own Nucleus One offers a one-box solution that outputs directly to a DAC via USB or, you can connect it to your network and control an outboard streamer, which should arguably improve sound quality. The Nucleus One is basically a computer, as are all of these streamers/servers, it has an internal fan, and it costs only $500.

Amazing to me is the contrast between the detailed discussions on these threads (and folks spending $10K+ on server/streamers) vs. how esteemed reviewers such as John Atkinson and others at Stereophile are conducting reviews of expensive DACs connected directly to the USB output of their Roon Nucleus+, which is basically a computer with an i7 processor. Reviewer Srajan Ebaen at 6moons uses his iMac as a server in his main system, but at least he routes the output into the Singxer SU-6 prior to the DAC.

I have had multiple music servers, and a couple that were one-box server/streamers (from Antipodes and Mojo Audio) and I have yet to hear a difference between any of them. When I did start to hear differences was when I separated the "server" from the "streamer" by connecting the server to my network in a separate room away from my system, and then connecting the network to a streamer (currently via optical fiber) in the same room as my music system. My first ah-ha moment was when I started using Sonore’s Signature Rendu SE Optical flagship streamer. I was surprised at the level of difference/improvement that provided over the Metrum Acoustics Ambre streamer that I was previously using. The Ambre is based on a Raspberry Pi board and should be no slouch because of its onboard linear power supply and femto clocking, but the Sonore was clearly a step up to my ears.

I am currently using SGC’s sonicTransporter i9 (Gen 4), which is a computer, as a networked server and cannot hear any difference between that and the Antipodes or Mojo Audio servers that preceded it. The sonic improvement comes from routing that signal through an outboard networked streamer (Sonore) prior to my DAC. The next even bigger difference I hear is between different DACs, but that is a different topic.

Regarding DDCs, I have had the Gaia here previously, and I currently use a Singxer SU-6. I power the SU-6’s 7.5 million uf supercapacitor using a linear power supply and not the wall wart it came with. I began using the DDC solely for the flexibility of connecting multiple DACs via something other than the USB output out of the Sonore Sig Rendu SE O. However, the Singxer also provides galvanic isolation as well as reducing jitter to a low level. It certainly cannot hurt to send a lower jitter level signal into your DAC. In addition, optimized USB inputs can be pricy and not all DACs do a great job with their USB inputs. By having the ability to try multiple input connections to your DAC, you can select the input method that best optimizes the sound of the DAC.

IME, anybody expecting a significant sonic breakthrough by adding a DDC will probably be disappointed. But adding a good quality DDC certainly shouldn’t hurt the sound quality of a digital front end and might make a marginal improvement by isolation, lowering jitter, and optimizing the connection to the DAC.

@soix 

And BTW, an SU6 or Holo Red is far from SOTA as DDCs go. 

The benefits I appreciate from a DDC are galvanic isolation, multiple output choices to my DACs, and lower jitter.  I have owned the Hermes and now the SU-6, and I am curious what criteria you believe makes one DDC SOTA and others not? Not arguing, just curious.