Ready For Digital Source...Computer?

I run Qobuz using an ASUS ROG (Republic of Gamers) laptop using Windows 7. I connect the laptop to my PS Audio PerfectWave MkII DAC with a regular (not expensive) USB cable. I also have a PS Audio PerfectWave Transport (I have several thousand CDs). The core of my system consists of Krell preamp an amp plus a pair of Thiel CS6 speakers.

I have compared at least a dozen CDs with their corresponding Qobuz stream to determine the difference in sound quality. I've been careful to make sure that the CD and the streaming file are the same version. In all cases the stream sounds virtually identical to the CD. Sometimes I think I can hear a very slight difference but in practical terms they are the same. I seriously doubt if I could tell them apart in a blind test. Just for the record, I've ripped my CD collection and I've also compared ripped files played through the PC using Foobar to their respective CDs and the Qobuz streams. They sound essentially identical.

One reason for this may be that the PSA PW MKII fully buffers and reclocks the incoming data. This step should eliminate any noise or other nastiness from the sound.

This result was a surprise to me. I figured that I would surely get a high quality streamer but now I'm taking my time. I'm probably going to spring for a Node but it will be mostly for the operating system and convenience.

If you don't have a CD player then it will be difficult to judge the sound quality of whatever you do. I firmly believe that in order to judge the sound of new components you need a control. Using a CD player as a control will help you to figure out if a streamer really sounds that much better than a computer. I honestly believe that we all hear amazing things when we spend thousands of dollars on a new piece of gear but often with careful controlled comparison those "blew me away" differences become very minor.

@perkri  Totally agree...took the same path and am HAPPY!

rbstehno - "If you are using usb to the dac, you will never get the best performance"

Then why does EJ at Wyred 4 Sound recommend that as the only method to connect to his DAC (i2s with his server)?

asvjerry - Cool, thanks!

wsrrsw & ghdprentice - what DAC/Steamer combos are you using?

elangley01 - "LMS Qobuz plugin" Can you elaborate, maybe a link?

mahler123 - all good points, thx

vanson1- I’m learning, thank you

itsjustme - "What have you tried?" Macbook Pro with Bit Perfect with a Schiit Bifrost, a Primare DAC 30 and W4S 2v2 SE, after the Mac I tried a W4S Music Server with the W4S DAC, then finally a Roon Nucleus with the W4S DAC before losing my job (Covid shutdown) and selling the works.

"What are your sound objectives? - To listen to high-quality digitally reproduced music on a mid-fi 2 - channel stereo.

"You say "no Roon".- Roon is awesome, great format but yes, but another box in the system and I really don’t want to pay for both Roon and a streaming service as well. I am really waiting for Spotify to start streaming 1,411 Kbps, until then Tidal or Quboz will do.

david_ten - my system page shows what’s holding me over whilst I rebuild!

Past system was Coda CSiB V1, Martin Lagan Spires, W4S DAC, Roon Nucleus, OPPO BDP 93 for CD’s. I would revisit ML speakers again but I don’t have room to pull the speakers 3" out from the walls.

The system I am working on now (I think) I will be going with KEF R11s. They only need 9" off the back wall and 20" off the sidewall. If I could find something that sounds good, I would like to be even closer to the sidewall. Amp is a Luxman 507uXII. Still need DAC and streamer, hence the thread.

Lots of conflicting opinions on this subject, but the general consensus seems to be to go with a music server. Maybe I will start a new thread on this?

Thanks to you all!

Aurender for high quality streamers. They have them at all price points. The Auralic Aries G2 gets good reviews, I owned one, Aurender sound better to me. 

@high-amp  Thanks for answering my question.

Many ways to go about what you are trying to achieve. Other posters have offered you valuable advice.

If you are truly trying to keep it simple, while rebuilding your finances, home, room, etc. an extra phone or tablet is a great solution. Depending on the OS, using an app or additional software to maximize sound quality (via this route) will deliver good results; even more so if you also focus on the quality of the cabling and using intermediate devices to ~clean~ things up.

Since you seem to be open to a DAC...

AND are keeping your budget reasonable...

AND are open to a ~multi~ function device...

AND since it hasn't been mentioned...>>>

Take a hard look at offerings from iFi Audio. High scores on performance to value, on overall flexibility, portability, and broad feature sets.