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Streamers

I apologize upfront for my naivety...

I see a lot of listing for streamers on here, reviews in Stereophile, TAS, etc, and I’m interested.

MY QUESTION: Is there any benefit using a streamer i.e. Auralic Aries (or any other), if you can connect your computer directly to your DAC? I know I’m missing something here, probably

Currently my iMac is connected directly to my DAC, via USB with a Wyred Recovery in the chain. I think it sounds great. All my digital files are on a hard drive, connected to the iMac. I use Audirvana to manage it all, and to use Tidal. iPad as remote.

Tell me all the things I don’t know!



128x128robelvick

Showing 3 responses by david_ten

david_ten
5,480 posts
 
Since you are already vested in the Apple ecosystem, I recommend Aurender (I believe Dave @dlcockrum  does as well)...their entry level streamer, the N100H used, if your budget allows. It's a good starting point and you can optimize around it and your DAC.

There are other options as well.


david_ten
5,480 posts
 
@robelvick  

I'm assuming that you are considering the Sonore microRendu between the Aires and your DAC.

The Sonore microRendu is Ethernet In.

Aires outputs USB/Coax/Optical.
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
Perhaps the full unfold is via the internal DAC and output via analog, but not via the digital out.

My guess is that MQA wants a piece of the pie at the DAC level as well.

Would be nice if they did not, but it makes good business sense, at least for MQA. 

It would be good to know.
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