Music server vs. external hard drive to DAC


First posting here but 20+ years on AGon and the like. I’ve been told using a music service into a server into a DAC has a higher SQ than an external hard drive into same DAC? And there’s no need to spend big dollars on a server/DAC if a DAC is already in the chain. DAC is RME into variety of First Watt amps, QS tubes or Benchmark monos. Thanks

kckrs

Hello @kckrs 

There is a whole world of music available by streaming Qobuz vs just your own cd's ripped into a hard drive, or purchased music files on a hard drive.  It is an amazing way to explore new music.  Also, a quality streamer will sound better.

You have some nice stuff.  I would reach higher than the Node.  Most of us had one and many of us have upgraded.  Look at models from Aurender, Innuos and Auralic.

Perhaps it is one of the hardest concepts to understand, how a better streamer improves everything.

So to actually answer your question, I'd say usually a streamer from an online service should not sound better (usually).  Assuming your external hard drive is good quality and you have no equipment issues, and the files on your HDD are full resolution, then your DAC will deliver CD quality music.  Frankly, most music servers are the same setup except the hard drive is inside.

Streamers are so expensive and work hard to not drop any bits to ensure they provide "CD quality".  

When I first started streaming, I compared it to a CD and found that the streaming service sounded better....then I realized I was using a CD player instead of a CD transport feeding my DAC.  So what I was really comparing was the cheap DAC in the CD player to my high end DAC seperate.  Apples and oranges.  

The exception I mentioned is music that is now available on streaming services that is higher resolution than CD quality.  It takes a good ear and a good system to tell the difference, but it is there.

Like previous responses, I prefer the endless library and convenience of a streaming service.

Jerry

 

I am looking for a server only.
Not a server with streaming feature
I already have a LuminX1 for that.(DAC/Streamer )

Lumin L2 is the solution . But very expensive.( Too much , according to some )
Why Lumin , would have launched this server , if it is not very good , for digital
downloaded files ( Flac, DSD )

Lucas Audio Labs has good reviews .
https://www.lucasaudiolab.com

 

I stream from Qobuz , high resolution .    
I am not that exited by the sound quality .

We use an old MacBook Pro into a MHDT DAC.  It seems to work fine and the sound with hi res files sound as good as the same out of the CDP