2. digital
  3. 141979-10176

Digital improvements possible?

Hello all computer audiophiles,
I’m actually pretty satisfied with the sound of my system, but lately I’m wondering if it would be worth trying to refine my digital playback. 
Here’s what I currently have...
MacBook Pro-2011 with High Sierra v 10.13.6 and 10 GB memory 
MHDT non oversampling Stockholm 2 DAC
Audiophilleo 2 USB/SPDIF converter with PurePower power supply
Silnote Epirus USB cable

Disclaimers: For playback I almost exclusively use Tidal Hifi streaming service. I sold my CDP and honestly, I’m too lazy to want to rip CDs. I’m curious about hi-res formats, but I don’t think my NOS DAC will process them? 
And I’ve tried Audirvana and some other programs but wasn’t impressed. 
I’m not a computer expert either, and stream Tidal through my Mac with WiFi. 
Am I beyond hope without spending megabucks? If there are simple things I could do to improve quality I’d truly appreciate any advice. 
Thanks!
Linc

lincnabby

Showing 2 responses by mzkmxcv

mzkmxcv
777 posts
 
Unless your DAC stinks, there is 0 reason to go above 24Bit 44.1kHz (MQA and DSD are just marketing gimmicks), even regular CD quality (16Bit 44.1kHz) is good enough for 99% of use cases. 
  
Room treatment is something hugely important that is often overlooked.
mzkmxcv
777 posts
 
@lincnabby  
 
MQA is lossy, it competes with MP3, impossible to be better than CD or higher.  People who boast about 96kHz or 192kHz have no clue what it even means. Firstly, we can’t hear that high. Secondly, most systems can’t even reproduce audio that high (wether it be the DAC, pre-amp, amp, and/or speakers).
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