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Mac vs streamer.

Is the difference between a Mac and a streamer as one's original source noticeable/significant to ordinary ears listening to a mid-level system? I know there are supposed to be drawbacks to the Mac and I understand why they exist, but if one listened to both back to back...?
m669326
m669326's avatar
m669326 OP
334 posts
 
I like the content available in Deezer the best. Is there a software that is partnered with it? I’m not aware of any.
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
@m669326 Search for audio optimization tools for the operating system and device you are using.

Deezer offers tips to optimize Deezer. They are limited, but may be helpful if you have not applied them.
yage
401 posts
 
If you’re technically inclined, I’d go with a Raspberry Pi loaded with whatever OS that’s specialized for music playback (e.g. Volumio, moOde, piCorePlayer, etc.). You’ll save money and it’s a fun project.

Currently using my Pi w/ Volumio and I can’t tell a difference between that and my Oppo UDP-203 w/ VanityHD board (which reclocks the SPDIF output for lower jitter) all going into a Benchmark DAC3.

I can also stream from the YouTube Music app to the Pi using UPnP on my phone and Volumio has support for Spotify too, I think.
m669326's avatar
m669326 OP
334 posts
 
I tried looking for ways to optimize Deezer SQ with a Mac. I found nothing.
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
Here is very general (and basic) info from Deezer support.

https://support.deezer.com/hc/en-gb/articles/115003875089-Deezer-data-and-Smart-Cache

If you are open to digging deep, search 'optimizing Mac OS for DAW' (Digital Audio Workstation).  Be specific with your OS version.

Here is one search result:

https://www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/articles/macos-10-15-catalina-optimization-guide-for-recording/

***Much, much easier to run Audirvana, JRiver, etc.***

Here is a partial list of other options:

https://alternativeto.net/software/audirvana-plus/?platform=mac&p=2
 
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