I think hardware that is engineered and designed for the sole purpose of playing digital audio (music) is better than a multiple purpose device like a computer. I know there are many people who disagree with this thinking, and to each his own. I think many people use a computer and music software apps to achieve the same end goal. When I went to a dedicated audio streaming device my music sounded better and I had more options. That is one opinion....
Files from a Harddrive to a DAC vs dedicated digital player?
I'm a vinyl head...pure and simple. So when it comes to digital format I think the path of least resistance is the cleanest. I am building my digital music library and I'm wondering if purchasing a Bryston BDP-1 to control the playback from my computer is warranted, or would a software controlled via iPad/computer be doing essentially the same? Will the dedicated digital player sound better than a computer plugged into the DAC unit?
Currently I have a harddrive plugged via digital USB into my OPPO 205 DAC to a Moon preamp to a Bryston 4b3 amp playing through Bryston Model T speakers. Any thoughts?
Currently I have a harddrive plugged via digital USB into my OPPO 205 DAC to a Moon preamp to a Bryston 4b3 amp playing through Bryston Model T speakers. Any thoughts?
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USB: If you are planning to use USB, you will have some hoops to jump through. The easiest course to excellent SQ is to get an Antipodes or Aurender N10 server and add the following reclocker in-line with the USB cable (you need 2 cables): https://sotm-usa.com/collections/sotm-ultra/products/copy-of-tx-usbultra-regenerator-1 If you want to do it on the cheap, you can get a Mac Mini and add Amarra or Audirvana software. You still need the device above and two good quality USB cables, such as WireWorld Platinum or Audioquest Diamond. If your DAC does not have USB interface on it, you can add a USB converter such as the Berkeley Alpha USB: http://www.berkeleyaudiodesign.com/alpha-usb/ or SOtM dX-USB HD: https://www.sotm-audio.com/sotmwp/english/portfolio-item/dx-usb-hd/ I much prefer using Ethernet to USB now, although some streaming services like HDtracks and Amazon Prime music only work with USB, so I have both. Ethernet: Ethernet requires a renderer. This can be inside the DAC like a USB interface or it can be an external device like this: https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=156409.0 Playback requires a server software and a playlist software on a computer, such as a Mac Mini, MacBook Pro or a good PC. I use freeware combination of Linn Kinsky/Minimserver/BubbleUPnP. Ethernet still requires some good hardware for excellent SQ, including: 1) AQVOX switch or similar from SOtM with a good power supply 2) Good Ethernet cables such as WireWorld Platinum 3) Ethernet isolator - I use EMO EN-70e Fewer hoops to jump through with Ethernet and you can stream from several services using Twonky, Linn Kazoo, Lumin and other player software. I don’t use Roon because I find the SQ of Linn Kinsky/Minimserver to be superior. My personal reference is Mac Mini using Ethernet to a modified Router to my Overdrive SX DAC with Ethernet interface. Steve N. Empirical Audio |
joyofsound. When you go with a computer you must get a good USB cable, maybe a good reclocker, separate DAC etc, etc. Not to mention your computer should be located by your stereo. With a dedicated streamer like Aurender, Bluesound, NAD and others you can have the streaming and DAC working in one box. I have a Bluesound Node 2 and have an attached Benchmark DAC1, but quite honestly the internal DAC is very good. Playing MQA albums on Tidal yields tremendous sound if it is a good recording to start with. With this setup I can stream Spotify or Tidal. I can also access all my digital music (AIFF and FLAC) stored on a Western Digital MyCloud NAS and I can use my iphone or ipad as a controller. Therefore I don’t need my computer dedicated for this, I simply use the Bluesound app on my phone that talks to the Node 2. |
You may also use wifi directly with some streamers and Still get good sound according to this article. https://darko.audio/2018/08/ethernet-or-wifi-which-is-better-for-high-end-audio-streaming/ That is of course special hardware and I am not sure it is better than a purpose built computer but it is easier to buy. You can also look at special computers. https://www.smallgreencomputer.com/ |
For the last couple of years I used a Mac Mini with external HD as my digital source. Recently got the itch to experiment a bit and moved my library to my NAS drive - left everything else the same. I wasn’t expecting to hear any difference at all, as again, the only change I made was moving the files from a local HD connected via FW to my MacMini to a NAS drive connected via Ethernet. The improvement was IMMEDIATELY obvious. Needless to say, I was fairly shocked. A couple of weeks later I installed an Auralic Aries, completely bypassing the MacMini, and was again shocked by the across the board improvement. I tried both the Lightning and Lumin apps and have a preference for the later - it is a joy to use on an iPad. Like anything in this hobby, YMMV. |