Network player via DLNA or Airplay: sound quality loss

[Abam]

Hi guys,

I am between choosing either network player or a combination of my Macbook + buying a DAC to listen to music.

I tend to choose a network player as it is more convenient to share from Macbook via DLNA or Airplay right on the network player without always connecting DAC.

But I am not sure how DLNA and Airplay will affect on audio quality?

Any ideas?

Thank you!

 

[ID.]

No effect on audio quality.

 

[Frank Harvey]

Have a look at the Innuos models like the Zen or Zen Mini. Bought a Mini for my system about a month ago to save some space and plugged direct into my pre/processor it sounds stunning. Plug and play, rips quickly, runs very quietly, without a single hiccup. I feel easier with it plugged direct into my system rather than relying on wi-fi across the network.

Downloaded the Squeezepad app last night which is as smooth as any other app I've used and streets ahead of the free Squeezebox app I was using.

 

[iMark]

No effect on audio quality.

I think there's a bit more to it. Airplay works at a level that is 16/44.1 or 16/48, depending you're streaming via an Airport Express or an Apple TV. This means that any tracks that are sampled at a higher bitrate will be downsampled. Airplay works great in our system for all our CDs (Apple Lossless files), Spotify (Premium quality) and any other audio streamed from the Mac Mini or an iPad.

(Note: we think that ripped CDs that we stream as Apple Lossless files via the Airport Express and the DAC sound better than any disc spinner we have tried.)

With DLNA you could stream at a higher than CD quality bitrate. I don't have any tracks that are at a higher bitrate than CD quality. I do use DLNA though to stream video stored on the Mac Mini to a Sony TV and a Sony Bluray player. I use the Serviio DLNA server software for that and that just works fine.