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Music server vs. external hard drive to DAC

First posting here but 20+ years on AGon and the like. I’ve been told using a music service into a server into a DAC has a higher SQ than an external hard drive into same DAC? And there’s no need to spend big dollars on a server/DAC if a DAC is already in the chain. DAC is RME into variety of First Watt amps, QS tubes or Benchmark monos. Thanks

kckrs

Showing 2 responses by kckrs

kckrs OP
27 posts
 

I appreciate the input but I believe I’m at fault in describing what I’m looking to accomplish or the equipment needed to do so. I’m looking and asking about a music streamer, not a server. So the question - will a relatively inexpensive streamer played through a decent DAC give CD quality results? Already being a Amazon Prime customer is their streaming service on par with the other variants. Thanks

kckrs OP
27 posts
 

This is a great exercise where all input is appreciated. Goodlistening 64 has really defined my question. My external hard drive was populated with 2 terabytes of lossless music by a friend of nine played through a new Dell laptop into a RME dac. Sounds pretty damn good. I switched things up today with an all tube rig - Audio Mirror preamp into QS Horn Monos using a 25 year old Pioneer PD95 CD player (around 2 grand way back when and built like a 10k machine today) played into my recent Coherent Audio GR 12 . With a Japanese produced CD the sound, for me, in what is probably a modest rig, is stellar.

 

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