jallan
248 posts
Aurender N100H are available used for $1200 or so on this site and others. My own ears provide “anecdotal “ evidence of a profound increase in sound quality above using my Mac laptop as a streamer. The difference is stark. I would recommend this as your $1000 solution .
Heyya @jallan which gen is that Mac laptop? There are reported audio issues with certain M-gen(s) processors. Beyond smartphones I absolutely eschew the Mac OS so have no personal experience in that particular regard.
Very well could be a real life experience, whatchya describe. That’s the discrepancy between individual/personal experience and demonstrated pattern through controlled investigation.
In any case, if OP already has a Mac (or PC), tries it first, then gets a $1K USD streamer and perceives the latter as better, where exactly does the issue lay? 😉