Streamer or Laptop - for quality ?

[trebor1594]

So ive read the previous threads on this but remain unsure as to whether or not to keep my streamer .. I have a CXN V2 -(multiple award winner) and am using an IFI Neo DSD Dac as it sounds better than the one in the streamer . I can stream using my phone via Roon all my ripped cd's and Tidal mqa files (the streamer doesnt support mqa but the IFI does.

However -if i connect my pc to the IFI via a usb cable - I can access Roon much easier than using my phone . After extensive a/b comparisons the Pc sounds better . The Dac is connected to the pre amp via Audioqust xlr cables For some reason i can access Muse on the Pc but not on my phone . So i have access to the Parametric EQ controls and can tailor the sound to my preference.


So do i sell my streamer and put the money towards a better turntable (i have a Rega P1 currently) or am i missing something ? I know the streamer gives me access to internet radio but i hardly use that .

 

[jetblack9090]

So let me add my thoughts, I have experience with using various laptops as well as various streamers, everything from blusound to ifi streamers as well as various raspberry pi based streamers as well.

They all work obviously and they produce sound however some are noticeably better than others, I would ask you though what you want out of your system and your Hi-Fi.

If you're looking for the utmost Fidelity and you're trying to maximize the potential of your system than a streamer is definitely the way to go, I currently use a lumin streamer and am very satisfied with it and wouldn't think of using anything else. However occasionally I still hook up my laptop for various reasons and stream off of that running USB into my DAC.

The sound quality from my HP laptop is quite good, not as good as my dedicated streamer but it's still very satisfactory and produces a sound that satiates.

What I get with my streamer is better sound staging and better palpability, I also get better tonality and better timbre to the music. Things sound more real and more alive through my streamer versus a laptop.

But all that said, again, if all you're wanting to do is stream music and get a good performance then most laptops will give you that, plus you don't have to worry about any outlie when it comes to paying for a dedicated streamer.

 

[DiggyGun]

So ive read the previous threads on this but remain unsure as to whether or not to keep my streamer .. I have a CXN V2 -(multiple award winner) and am using an IFI Neo DSD Dac as it sounds better than the one in the streamer . I can stream using my phone via Roon all my ripped cd's and Tidal mqa files (the streamer doesnt support mqa but the IFI does.

However -if i connect my pc to the IFI via a usb cable - I can access Roon much easier than using my phone . After extensive a/b comparisons the Pc sounds better . The Dac is connected to the pre amp via Audioqust xlr cables For some reason i can access Muse on the Pc but not on my phone . So i have access to the Parametric EQ controls and can tailor the sound to my preference.


So do i sell my streamer and put the money towards a better turntable (i have a Rega P1 currently) or am i missing something ? I know the streamer gives me access to internet radio but i hardly use that .

You can use the PC to get internet radio as well.

I listen to Jazz24 on my PC, plus also use Qobuz. All works well.

DG…

 

[jjbomber]

However -if i connect my pc to the IFI via a usb cable - I can access Roon much easier than using my phone . After extensive a/b comparisons the Pc sounds better .

So do i sell my streamer and put the money towards ...

... a better PC? Yes!

 

[twinkletoes]

A pure streamer is one of the biggest cons in hi fi to day, up there with cables in my opinion.

Having said that a brand name streamer is a very convenient device and a much cleaner solution than a laptop sitting on your side board. So horses for courses. Though I stress I have yet to hear a difference in a streamers (all things being equal) especially if being used as a transport into a dac and that goes for laptops and phones, though they tend to sound cleaner as they’re running off batteries giving a smoother presentation top to bottom.

It seems you have already done the back to back testing and if you can put up with computer being in the chain. Then do it, sell the streamer and pocket the cash and or spend it on what you like.

My opinion is pretty unpopular so take it for what it’s worth, a stranger on the internets giving advice.

 

[Messiah]

After extensive a/b comparisons the Pc sounds better .

So do i sell my streamer and put the money towards a better turntable (i have a Rega P1 currently) or am i missing something ? I know the streamer gives me access to internet radio but i hardly use that .

Seems you have already done the testing you need too and reached a conclusion.

At the end of the day, it's the sound YOU are happy with.

As DG says, you can access internet radio from the laptop.

 

[Fandango Andy]

So ive read the previous threads on this but remain unsure as to whether or not to keep my streamer .. I have a CXN V2 -(multiple award winner) and am using an IFI Neo DSD Dac as it sounds better than the one in the streamer . I can stream using my phone via Roon all my ripped cd's and Tidal mqa files (the streamer doesnt support mqa but the IFI does.

However -if i connect my pc to the IFI via a usb cable - I can access Roon much easier than using my phone . After extensive a/b comparisons the Pc sounds better . The Dac is connected to the pre amp via Audioqust xlr cables For some reason i can access Muse on the Pc but not on my phone . So i have access to the Parametric EQ controls and can tailor the sound to my preference.


So do i sell my streamer and put the money towards a better turntable (i have a Rega P1 currently) or am i missing something ? I know the streamer gives me access to internet radio but i hardly use that .

It sounds like you have already done your own research and know what you like. Trust your ears and go with what sounds good.

As for the turntable, you already have a decent one, how much better do you want? Is the rest of your equipment and more importantly your room of a standard where you will notice the difference? Or do you just have an itch for some new equipment?

 

[Jasonovich]

Laptops are interim devices that can be used as a streamer, the quality is obviously compromised due to resources being prioritised by other conflicting software, so you may not get the best quality in terms of sound.
I would consider a good quality streamer/DAC combination rather than just a streamer.