What is the added value of a streamer over a networked dedicated Computer


Hi

I see lots of sales pitches for streamers as digital sources, and plenty on this site advocating them. I get that they're a purpose-built user interface but, apart from that convenience, including a visual display on the device, (i) do they really deliver better hi-fi sound as a source over a well set up computer dedicated to hi-fibreoriduction (ii) if so, why?

Here's some background to my question(s). I currently use a dedicated Mac Mini with SSD (headlessly) and Audirvana Plus software through a USB DAC. I tend to listen to digital files on external drives (wired connections). Some are high Definition eg Flac, some are aiff ripped from my extensive CD collection. Currently I only tend to use Spotify etc to test if I like music and invest in actual downloads of the music I like.  In day to day use the Mac Mini/Audirvana Plus (virtual) player is controlled using its remote app on an iPad on the same Network. If I wanted I could add high quality online streaming from, eg, Tidal. Whilst that would expand the breadth of music I have immediate access to, it seems to me to add another potential source of interruption/corruption of data flow. The Audirvana software overrides/bypasses detrimental computer audio elements and processes keeping the data path simple and dedicated to hifi audio replay.

So what, sound quality-wise, would a standalone streamer device using NAS or other drive storage and/or online web connection bring to the party? It seems to me it's just a digital device containing effectively the components of a computer with a button (or remote) interface. I understand the old argument that it's dedicated and not doing other things simultaneously and that computers are traditionally electrically noisy environments but I'm currently sceptical that with a dedicated computer, not being used for other purposes, and running a virtual device like Audirvana Plus which effectively switches off internal functions which might compromise sound, this is a real problem. Also it seems that a "dedicated streamer" contains many elements which are effectively computing elements. Note that I have no industry connection or monetary interest from Audirvana or Apple.

128x128napoleoninrags16

Congratulations!
 

I remember the moment I heard my Aurender N100 for the first time… I couldn’t believe it. Finally, high end audio sound without a turntable. I quickly progressed to the N10 and finally Aurenders flagship, each more impressive than the last. Welcome to the club.

@yage 

"However, considerable jitter needs to be introduced before audible effects can be heard."

Bingo. And yet people still waste thousands of dollars on DACs when a $130 SMSL would more than suffice. It takes just 5 minutes to look up a measurement. Not a bad time investment to possibly save thousands.

Before comparing the SQ of a PC and a dedicated streamer, care should be taken to ensure that all the PC and the playing software parameters a properly set so it is in the bit perfect data transmission mode to the DAC.  If not, for sure a dedicated server will sound better...

+1  @yage  For clarifying that jitter is no longer an issue with modern asynchronous mode DACs.  

- Folks who haven't actually tried Aurender+  software may not understand how effectively it can transform a PC or Mac for audio.  I'm using a similar setup, and find that SQ is excellent.  No doubt that a $3k dedicated streamer will be better, but this is pretty darn close, and may also give you the flexibility that you need for your music production ventures.

A few suggestions:

- Please give yourself a free trial month with Qboz, managed through Aurender.  Results from this high res streaming compare favorably with and often exceed those from my disk-resident files.  Not to mention opening up access to a world of music beyond my normal experiences. Believe me on this.

- I think you are spot on with the thought of upgrading your DAC/ADC.  This will be true whether you later opt for another streaming system or not.  

- For your recording work, consider a used Ayre Acoustics QA-9  ADC, if you can find one.

- Avail yourself of free room correction software (multiple agon threads on this ) to generate  a convolution file for Aurender to then manage, as well.

Good luck!