Is using an Apple Computer a weak link...?

Dedicated streamers are just computers that have been optimized for audio performance.   Compared to a bog standard PC they tend to have better parts, better power supplies, and inject less noise. Programs such as Audirvana do help the sound from a computer.
The noise issue is real, but it isn’t like like vinyl, where it sounds like frying bacon.  It is mainly the depth of the black background.  Compared to better equipment, the music just doesn’t seem to emerge from nothingness, and therefore seems a little less tactile.  You don’t really notice it until you compare with better equipment.

mahler  a dedicated server can be designed from the ground up  for one purpose to extract a  pristine digital signal to a dac this is accomplished through both hardware and software utilization

we import one of the best lines of servers from Europe:

432 EVO Music Servers | High End Digital Audio Streaming | Roon Core | Upsampling & Bit Perfect - 432 EVO Music Servers | High End Digital Audio Streaming


if you look at their designs they are far more sophisticated then a simple computer with an external linear power supply

the Evo"s higher end models  all separate the main cpu board from the soundcard and clock board

theses critical boards are powered independently to keep noise from jumping into the usb output 

they use a low noise cpu.


they use a custom liux kernal that was written to minimize jitter the os actully  loads  Roon"s  operational procedures onto its own cpu core where other cpu related tasks run on  their  own core.


dave and troy
audio intellect NJ
us importers 432EVO music servers

audiotroy:
I appreciate your point, but note that you discuss the noise on the USB cable.  If the MacPro (desktop not laptop) is connected to the DAC by ETHERNET, is there still an issue with noise reaching the DAC?

@jomonhifi,

Please stop using your MacPro. I had a Mac Mini and even waited 2 years for my Paul Hynes linear power supply to be built. I converted my Mac to DC only, and it still was far inferior to a dedicated streamer. I now have an Auralic Aries G2.1 and installed an internal SSD.

@audio troy wrote “theses critical boards are powered independently to keep noise from jumping into the usb output”. This is absolutely critical to have dedicated linear power supplies to each board. Btw, isn’t your Aurender A10 a streamer and DAC in one package? If so, then remove the MacPro and use the A10 alone. You’ll also benefit from not needing a digital cable from streamer to DAC or an Ethernet cable.


Edit to add…I believe the A10 has a 4TB internal HD. Transfer a few songs you know well from the MacPro to the A10. Then disconnect your MacPro and play the tracks directly from the A10. Please let us know how this experiment ends up.

@craig  Good questions.

@jomonhifi  OP: "Is using the apple computer a weak link...?"

Not necessarily. Things have come around (significantly), though not quite full on YET.

If you go with the Denafrips GAIA, inserting an Ethernet to USB convertor (as one example) will help tremendously. Sonore comes to mind. There are others.

Apple computer > Ethernet > Sonore > USB > GAIA

Again, one example for illustration purposes.

Also consider HQPlayer for a software solution. It plays well with iOS and Denafrips. [Audirvana was previously mentioned]

Another approach is to "isolate" using wireless. A DAC with a wireless receiver will address this. 

Another approach is to go with a DAC (or a DDC prior to the DAC) that offers a LAN input. You will need to add a quality network switch to optimize this approach.

A standalone high quality audio server ($$$) is still the best solution for the highest levels of performance. However, one can achieve excellent results using a computer at this point in time, at a much lower spend.