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Does a streamer do anything to the data that Tidal provides?

I have been streaming Tidal to my HiFi for the past 4 years with a streamer and a DAC connected to my amplifier (Raumfeld streamer to Musical Fidelity DAC and also Musical Fidelity Amp). I also have an all-in-one system for my summer house (Naim Muso Qb). So, I know the basics and I am only interested in streaming from Tidal.

What I struggle to understand is, what the streamer does apart from transporting the digital signal and therefore why it could make sense to invest in an expensive streamer.

I understand what Digital to Analogue Conversion does and that it makes sense to ensure a good quality, but isn't the streamer just a transporter of data? Does the streamer do anything to the data that Tidal delivers apart from receiving them and sending them to the DAC? 

Thanks in advance, Michael 
mtraesbo

Showing 1 response by audioengr

audioengr
3,282 posts
 

The only reason to get a streamer over a computer IMO is if you don't have an Ethernet interface on your DAC.  Then, the streamer does the Ethernet or WIFI to S/PDIF conversion and feeds your DAC with S/PDIF coax.  Then, the Master Clock is in the streamer, not in the Ethernet interface in the DAC.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

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