I Mac or Streamer for source? or is there a difference?

The biggest issue with using any PC is usually the power supply and it's ability to pollute the AC power going into your system.

I use a PC in a closet, streaming Roon over Wifi to a streamer right next to my DAC.

Best,

E

A dedicated streamer is usually more convenient to use from your listening seat, in your audio setup. But if you're talking about downloading instead of just streaming, then you need a storage location somewhere which usually means a computer, plus maybe network-attached storage (NAS).

There are also arguments to be made about a streamer's digital signal fidelity versus that of a computer (especially the digital output of a cheap soundcard).

Up to a certain price point there’s no difference. That price point being dependent on one’s system, and one’s ears. I started off streaming with a MacBook Pro running Audirvana, using USB out to the internal DAC on my Anthem STR integrated amp. I briefly tried a Bluesound Node 2i, but returned it as I could not discern enough difference in streaming quality and much preferred the Anthems DAC to that of the Node (MQA not withstanding). I’ve since upgraded to a Bel Canto streamer feeding a W4S DAC. This has given me a big increase in SQ, but at a sizable investment.