Which device makes for a better digital music source? Computer or streamer?

On the apple front I can add some input. I've used various iterations of mac mini as server over the years. In order of sound quality, worst to best.

1. 2009 Stock mini, no optimization of OS, usb out.

2. 2009 Stock mini, partially optimized OS (some processes disabled), usb out

3. 2014 mini, I5 Intel, El Capitan OS, sata ssd, Uptone MMK and JS2, usb out, major upgrade on above, really in different league.

4. 2014 mini, same as above with some optimization (again, some processes disabled), Uptone usbRegen, nice upgrade on above

5. 2014 mini, same as above with more optimization (go into terminal and shut down more processes), thunderbolt bridge for network out vs usb out. At this point requirement to go to streamer, in this case SOtM SMS 200 Neo.This is major, major upgrade, eliminating usb rendering within server lowers noise floor greatly.

6. Same as above, add generic FMC just prior to SOTM, more lowering of noise floor, very worthwhile upgrade

2014 mini, I7 Intel PCIe ssd, Monterey OS, Uptone MMK and JS2, 3rd party wipe of unneeded apps, disable system integrity protection. Still using FMC and SOTM as streamer, pretty substantial upgrade over I5 and sata ssd. Faster processor and PCIe vs sata very nice, disabled SIP absolute necessity.

7. Same exact sertup as 6. Replace SOTM with Sonore OpticalRendu, major upgrade, further lowering of noise floor, jitter, sound quality entering realm of extremely nice analog.

Concurrent, to above mini upgrades has been continuing network upgrades, all contributed to gradual lowering of noise floor.

My analysis of servers/streamers at this point. Faster processor, OS optimization and ssd quality critical for server. Streamer quality critical as well as entire network. But for me, greatest upgrade was eliminating all rendering from server. Servers are likely noisiest component in streaming chain (router up there), not good place to do rendering with exception of the rare server that has fully optimized internal rendering. IMO, server is best as simple network device, dedicated streamer or streamer dac place to do rendering. Exception would be atx motherboard based servers with Pink Faun, JCAT usb cards, or exceptional servers such as Wadax.

I started with the Node 2i, then moved to using the Node with with an external DAC (Shiit Modi Multibit). The rest of the system is Primaluna EVO 300 pre into two Primaluna EVO 100's used to biamp a pair of B&W CM7's, plus a Sunfire True sub sourced from the pre. The difference was quite noticeable in both the crispness of the bass and the detail in the highs. This made me swap out the Shiit for a Denafrips Pontus II. Major difference. But... Alvin Chee told me the Denafrips really sings on the I2S input.

So I build a RPI4, powered with a Shanti LPS, and installed MoOde, routing the USB output of that into a Denafrips Iris DDC, then I2S to the Pontus. The result is bass where you can feel the players' hands slide on the strings, a very strong midrange, and a detailed, but not too bright, high end (which is good, given the B&W's). The soundstage improvements are palpable. I think, since so much of soundstage dimension comes from small timing differences in sound origination from the speakers, the DDC helps significantly.

My main complaint is that the Qobuz native app doesn't recognize MoOde's UPnP renderer. So I listen to Qobuz over Airplay for background listening, and use Linn Kazoo (which supports UPnP but has a terrible interface for browsing) for critical listening. 

My other main complaint is the setup as-is reveals my speakers and sub as the weakest components now, so I'm getting the upgrade urge...

In summary, though, I've found that having the simplest, dedicated streamer (with LPS for noise reduction) seems to work well for me...

Why is it when people are asked to compare an audio component we are asked to do an apples to apples comparison but in pc to streamer this is thrown out the window. In general I would sure hope s $22,000 streamer would sound better than a $2000 pc. Just as a $22,000 speaker, amp, dac, and pre amp will sound better than a $2000 one.

I would say the above comment where ’will’ is used, would be for the best, if not taken literally, it is a speculation from the poster.

If a Buyer can do their homework and take the time to experience a selection of devices through a demonstration, it will be discovered there are options on offer in the HiFi Market where extremely impressive systems can be produced for a very reasonable outlay, especially when considering used items as a purchase.

@4greatmusic

If you want to get the most out of streaming… then first step is to get a high end streaming source. Sorry, I know you like Apple… that is not going to do it. Qobuz is the audiophile standard… it has well over 500,000 high resolution albums and tne quality of streaming is the best. The only serious other streaming service is Tidal… but it only has less that 20% the high resolution titles of Qobuz.

I used a Mac / MacBook and a PC and get good sound… but nothing in comparison to Qobuz with a dedicated streamer. Hey, if you are happy with what you have, that is great. But there is better… there always is.