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PC vs streamer

Today i have a HP laptop feeding my Mcintosh C2600 with audioquest usb cable. But in a other thred a saw that PCs are a bad source of music. 

I only use spotify and tidal.

Is it possible to make the PC a good source for music or do i have to get a streamer? And if what streamer should i get?
n_brio

Showing 2 responses by erik_squires

erik_squires
16,592 posts
 
Oh, almost forgot. How about using a Bluetooth streamer??

The little Fiio BTR3 is one of the best sounding headphone amps I've ever heard. Add a USB-C power supply and adapter cable:
https://amzn.to/2JyamEh

erik_squires
16,592 posts
 
If you stream via USB to a modern DAC, that's a pretty good source, especially if you are careful about using direct audio and not the PC's volume control.
The usual culprit however is the power supply, especially laptops. You cant to keep them as far from your audio gear as you can. Here are some tips:

https://inatinear.blogspot.com/2019/04/power-management-for-frugal-audiophiles.html
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