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Music streamer device vs laptop/phone?

I stream Tidal hifi through my laptop/iPhone into a Parasound Halo integrated via USB.  The dac in the parasound sounds great to me.  I see expensive music streamer devices and wonder if they would provide any actual audible sound quality improvement over what I’m using already?  I don’t care about the user interface convenience, multi use applications, stylish looks, etc.  just sound quality.  I strictly stream Tidal for 2 channel home stereo listening and don’t mind being “tethered” to my phone or laptop to select music.  I’m in the dark about music streaming devices.  Why are some so expensive?  For my purposes, would one bring any actual audible improvement vs me streaming from phone to the Parasound’s DAC?  I’m thinking it wouldn’t, but any insight/advice is appreciated.  Thanks!
128x128brendanmckinley
lwin's avatar
lwin
569 posts
 
If it sounds great to you keep your money in your pocket. Yes a good streamer can make a difference but if you are happy avoid the expensive upgrade trap that most of us get caught in.
erik_squires
16,029 posts
 
The combined streamer/DAC is pretty expensive, but if all you need is to move bits from the web to your integrated amp look at Roon.

I use a Raspberry Pi 4 as a streamer, and an old Linux box in a closet as the core/server component.

Best,

E
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,134 posts
 
I use a phone and a dedicated streamer. Six of one half dozen the other. Whatever works best for you will sound fine. DACs can make a big difference ( I use external DACs always into my system) but even the DACs in newer smartphones are pretty good at least into a suited pair of easy to drive headphones, if running without a headphone amp.
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,821 posts
 
The last time I went to an audio show was a few years ago so take this with a grain of salt: in every room that used a laptop as the source that I visited, I asked if the laptop was good enough and the answer each and every time was, yes.

That, and at a lot of the show reviews online that I see, they use a laptop and the reviewers had nothing but great things to say about the sound.

If it sounds great to you, then the only person you need to impress is already, impressed. 😄

All the best,
Nonoise
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