Best improvement to computer sound is to ditch it.
A cheap streamer's cost is a fraction of a DDC.
Who you crappin'?
I agree with @soix @fuzztone that the best solution would be to get a good streamer. I've not done that due to being addicted to the interface for both Tidal and Qobuz via MacBook. I had a WIIM Pro streamer for a day but my laptop into the DDC/DAC sounds better than the WIIM into it. The WIIM software was pretty good but the Mac interface is so much better. I will likely get around to trying a high end streamer to see what that does but at the moment I'm happy with my setup. |
You don’t need a good streamer. My 1st, a $200 Bluesound sounds better than any computer that I’ve ever heard. This after playing computer sound here for at least 10 years. There are many software alternatives. Like Tidal connect. I play mostly local files so it's a non issue. I'd rather listen to live performances instead of of crowd reactions, intros and personnel reporting.
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Bluesound is coming out with all new streamers, some soon, some in November. New current year models will likely be available on sale both before and after the newest models are released. Regardless of comparisons, the bluesound streamers sound good, I have found the bluesound operating system great, but you definitely need a good external DAC which you already appear to have. |
Yes it makes a nice upgrade IMO to your dac even their newer 12 th the Hermes having better of everything including dual oven controlled clocks and much better regulation and isolation is worth the extra bucks but if you don’t have the $$. The Iris 12 is the best ddc I have heard under a grand ,much better then the old iris2 and for sure use I2S that is by far the best just use a good brand I2S cable ,yes they look like a hdmi cable but ones made for audio have better dielectric and build quality .we have tried $100 hdmi , and a few brands I am not spending $600:on a I2S cable. AQ or Wireworld Are popular. |