2. digital
  3. 133527-107843

Does a streamer do anything to the data that Tidal provides?

I have been streaming Tidal to my HiFi for the past 4 years with a streamer and a DAC connected to my amplifier (Raumfeld streamer to Musical Fidelity DAC and also Musical Fidelity Amp). I also have an all-in-one system for my summer house (Naim Muso Qb). So, I know the basics and I am only interested in streaming from Tidal.

What I struggle to understand is, what the streamer does apart from transporting the digital signal and therefore why it could make sense to invest in an expensive streamer.

I understand what Digital to Analogue Conversion does and that it makes sense to ensure a good quality, but isn't the streamer just a transporter of data? Does the streamer do anything to the data that Tidal delivers apart from receiving them and sending them to the DAC? 

Thanks in advance, Michael 
mtraesbo
hk_fan
554 posts
 
A streamer should not do anything to the data other than transport it, unless you're asking it to.
mahler123
3,648 posts
 
I agree with the OP.  Any computer can do what a streamer does.
The advantages of streamers are basically 3 fold.  First they eliminate the noise that a computer, which has many functions to do besides transmitting musical data to a DAC, will introduce.  Secondly, they tend to have software bundled in that provide easy access to what Music consumers want—Internet Radio, Organizing the Music with a software interface, and others.  Finally, they look like Audio components, not a computer added to a system.
  How much is all of the above worth?  As always, ymmv.  However, when I see 5 figure streamers sold, I can only shake my head
kalali's avatar
kalali
1,977 posts
 
Great question and one I’ve been wondering as well. My thinking is aside from what the streamers actually do, e.g., receive data packets over WiFi, Ethernet, etc., I do know that the design matters and the quality of the components matter. I personally don’t have enough experience in comparing different streamers to know how much all this affect the sound quality but I would not be surprised if they did.
More to discover