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

Several friends suggested I compare my Aurender N20 server to Audirvana. I listened for 30 days, going back and forth, and eventually selected Audirvana running on a MAC computer as sounding better in MY system.

“Audirvana offers a 30-day free trial for both Audirvāna Studio and Audirvāna Origin, allowing users to experience its features WITHOUT requiring a credit card The trial provides unlimited access to Audirvāna’s exclusive core player technology and compatibility with Apple Silicon, Windows 11, and Linux”.

I use Audirvana running on my Apple Laptop Computer 12-Core CPU 19-Core GPU 16GB Unified Memory 1TB SSD Storage. Audirvana outputs the signal to my Bricasti M21 DAC using an Ethernet cable. The Audirvana interface is very easy to use and I had no issues moving from the Aurender Conductor App to the Audirvana. My sound quality is excellent.

I asked Perplexity AI how Audirvana manages the MAC computer for sound quality. Please see the response below.

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"Audirvana enhances sound quality on a Mac by effectively managing the macOS Core Audio API, optimizing audio playback, and reducing computer noise. It preloads music files into memory and converts them to PCM to avoid on-the-fly conversion, which can improve performance. Users can further enhance sound quality by adjusting settings such as DAC configurations, playback pre-load buffer RAM allocation, and minimizing background operations. Audirvana’s exclusive audio access also contributes to improved dynamic range, deeper bass, and sharper highs compared to other players.

Audirvana is often noted for providing clearer high-frequency sound compared to Roon. Users report that Audirvana enhances the separation and detail of high frequencies, resulting in a sharper and more dynamic listening experience. This improvement is attributed to Audirvana’s ability to optimize audio playback by reducing noise and improving dynamic range, which can make high frequencies sound more distinct and less blended compared to Roon.

Audirvana manages a Mac computer for optimal sound quality by utilizing several techniques. It provides exclusive audio access to minimize interference from other system sounds, which enhances clarity and dynamic range. Audirvana supports DSP functions like volume leveling and sample-rate conversion, although it lacks built-in EQ features; users can install plugins for additional DSP capabilities. The software also allows for detailed DAC settings, including oversampling adjustments, to tailor the sound output further. These features collectively contribute to a more refined and precise audio experience on a MAC".

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This is a complicated decision and there is no right or wrong answer. I suggest to anyone asking this question is to audition several solutions and pick that one that sounds the best in YOUR System.

@illusionista8

Audiogon Discussion Forum

@yyzsantabarbara thanks

@devinplombier 

The BDP-3 is largely a computer but one that is built specifically to do one thing.  Stream Music and great pains are taken to maximize SQ.

@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.