Do I need a streamer?


Streaming devices, with or without an internal DAC, seem to be very popular these days, so I am wondering if I am missing out on something.  I have Audirvana on my iMac that streams Tidal and music from my 8 TB external HD.  My iMac resides next to my audio rack and I connect my iMac via an optical cable (Fibbr) to my Aqua LaVoce DAC.  It seems to me that my iMac and external HD take the place of a streaming device.  Am I missing out on something other than convenience?  My external HD was a few hundred bucks and streamers a whole lot more.  The sound of my system is fantastic. 

whitestix

Showing 3 responses by jjss49

@whitestix

if one is streaming using a standard computer then a streamer is not needed per se, but one might well sound noticeably better -- but really no way to know without trying it yourself

here are three quite well respected, very good performing, cost effective streamers, you can buy them try them and if no improvement over your imac, just resell at no or minimal loss

of course there are ifi usb purifiers available used too, can try that as well

 

The modestly-priced iFi Zen Stream might be a place to start, but spending $6K on a streamer is not in cards unless is radically improves the sound of my system and I really doubt that is possible given how great my system already sounds.

i fail to see, if you read all the comments replying to your query, that you need to spend 6 grand in order to hear the benefits of a dedicated streamer compared to your imac... 🤷‍♀️

I have an IFI Zen Stream to my DAC (Gustard X26 pro) 

Would a different dedicated streamer make a difference?

 

in zen stream is an excellent streamer for sonic quality... especially if it is powered by a nice linear power supply