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Mac vs streamer.

Is the difference between a Mac and a streamer as one's original source noticeable/significant to ordinary ears listening to a mid-level system? I know there are supposed to be drawbacks to the Mac and I understand why they exist, but if one listened to both back to back...?
128x128m669326
soix
9,456 posts
 
Streamers can offer some improvement and people certainly like them but dropping several thousand for a streamer doesn't appear to get the results for the money. 
Many owners of Innuos, Lumin, Wolf, etc. streamers would strongly disagree. 

david_ten
5,480 posts
 
It depends on the execution. Either approach can deliver exceptional sound quality. If not done well, both will fall short.

The past few years have seen advances in software, addition of intermediate steps, and exceptional components at relatively low price points that "date" some of the posts above.
m669326's avatar
m669326 OP
330 posts
 
I like the content available in Deezer the best. Is there a software that is partnered with it? I’m not aware of any.
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
@m669326 Search for audio optimization tools for the operating system and device you are using.

Deezer offers tips to optimize Deezer. They are limited, but may be helpful if you have not applied them.
yage
400 posts
 
If you’re technically inclined, I’d go with a Raspberry Pi loaded with whatever OS that’s specialized for music playback (e.g. Volumio, moOde, piCorePlayer, etc.). You’ll save money and it’s a fun project.

Currently using my Pi w/ Volumio and I can’t tell a difference between that and my Oppo UDP-203 w/ VanityHD board (which reclocks the SPDIF output for lower jitter) all going into a Benchmark DAC3.

I can also stream from the YouTube Music app to the Pi using UPnP on my phone and Volumio has support for Spotify too, I think.
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