PC + External Dac vs. Streamer

[csq2]

I am currently playing music with a custom built PC + Arcam irDac using JRiver software. Just wondering if anyone has compared such a setup with a streamer that has built-in dac, such as the Cambridge Audio Magic 6.

 

[James7]

No, but I would be very surprised if there were any sonic benefit to moving to a streamer. The asynchronous nature of the Arcam's USB input should make it a superior connection and although the benefits of this might be offset by the noise thrown out by most computers, in your case your custom built PC, dedicated to audio I assume, is probably not particularly hamstrung by this. Of course a top line streamer with a really sophisticated on board DAC might outperform your set up, but not the Cambridge I wouldn't have thought.

 

[cheeseboy]

they are in essence the same thing, so wouldn't worry about it. All dedicated streamers are just a low powered pc running some form of embedded linux/windows anyways.