2. misc-audio
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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
vegasears
1,173 posts
 
Mini Mac & DAC.  Upgrading a DAC is easy.   I've used a computer & DAC since late last Century. Over the years, I have upgraded computers many times but only 3 DAC's.
zm
121 posts
 
After years of using a MacBook Pro to stream Tidal to my DAC and integrated, I recently switched to a Pro-Ject Stream Box Ultra 2.

The convenience of not having to dedicate or continually set up a laptop in my system is great, but for what it's worth, I think the MacBook sounded better... 
aubbrin570
14 posts
 
I recently bought a Mytek Brooklyn Bridge which is a streamer and a dac and have been using with Roon.  Sounds amazing, however, my friend recently plugged in his iphone via camera adaptor/usb into the bridge and playing amazon hd, was able to get 32/192 resolution.  Through roon/ethernet, I can get a max of 24/192.  In the book, mytek claims you can get up to a max 32/384 through a usb source and a max of 24/192 though the ethernet. 

I'm new to high end streaming too, but it seems I could have just bought a dac(like the brooklyn dac+)much cheaper and ran my phone into it for the ultimate resolution...Unless I'm missing something, stick with your "tethered" option if you want Hi Res, and go to a streamer if you want wireless interface and a "music hub" like roon.
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