Any audiophile use computer (MacBook) as your audio streaming source?

Do you have a CD player? If you do it is a worthwhile exercise to compare the sound of a CD to the streamed equivalent. Just make sure the CD and the strreaming version are the same.

I'm using an ASUS ROG gaming laptop as my streamer and running it through a Berkeley Reference DAC using the Berkeley USB unit. I have a Jay's Audio CD3 MkIII transport. I have compared numerous CDs with their Qobuz counterparts and they sound identical to me. If there is some sort of noise or hash coming out of my PC it isn't enough to be audible on my system with my ears.

Even though they sound the same I'm going to buy a dedicated streamer soon primarily due to the convenience. However, I will be quite surprised if the streamed content actually sounds better than CD.

@impaler 

Moon Mind2 player can be found used for around $1K+

Bryston BDP-3 for around $1.5K but those have been discontinued so the price might start to drop. 

For all those who used computers and say that streamers are better, what DAC did you use in conjunction with computer? Could it be that the DAC in the streamer is better than what you used when using a computer as file source? So what you are hearing is not computer vs streamer, but different DACs.

Also was the computer spinning disc or solid state?

I stand by my "total garbage" indications above. Great ad hominem, BTW. LOL!

Re jitter, the article below suggests that jitter is a red herring in the vast majority of contemporary DACs.

https://audioxpress.com/article/audio-electronics-is-digital-jitter-really-a-problem#:~:text=For%20a%20given%20amount%20of,%2C%20but%201.0%25%20at%2010kHz.

Even if you don't like Winer, the question of audibility deserves consideration. Happy to hear other well-informed, data-driven opinion on that matter.

Been using portable PC ever since I first saw and heard dedicated music streamers and the horrendous price demanded for the streamer or any options such as additional memory expanding HDDs.

I figured a streamer was only a "custom built" PC that automated the chores required to rip and then read digital files either from a server or the internet. Using a Windows PC is inexpensive and does a fine job if paired with a good DAC. I use a Mojo with a good, but not overly expensive, 3mm to RCA "jobber" cable connected to Anthem amplifier with Focal speakers. The results are very good, surprising even, and very affordable.

It remains a basic yet very good way to start "streaming" and maybe, heaven forbid, even remain at that level of sound quality (many would be surprised at what can be done affordably). The money saved can be spent acquiring a sizable CD collection from garage, yard sales and flea markets (remember, for the price of one or two purchased tunes one can get a lot of used, but still readable, CDs at... CD quality !).

The other, often overlooked, benefit is access to a world (literally) of music through internet radio thereby enhancing your musical knowledge and enjoyment. These albeit "low res" foreign radio station discoveries are priceless and allow me to refine my "flea market bin" searches.

Remember it is always about enjoying the music and the WAF concerning overall budget outlay is invaluable and not to be neglected...;-)

Useful information here.

What I picked up reading through this thread:

- noticeable sound improvement is due to DAC

- noticeable sound improvement with streamer only at certain price range (ex. Aurender, etc)

- lower priced streamer advantage is mostly for convenience