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

@yyzsantabarbara You put a bug in my ear with that fiber stuff. Turns out Supermicro makes fanless mini-PCs with dual built-in SFPs, and probably other brands do too.

One of those PCs and a SFP-equipped DAC would make a great backbone for an all-fiber digital system.

Inexpensive OM3 fiber can carry 10 gigabit Ethernet over 1 km (about 1,100 yards), which is handy if you have a large property, and short distance it can carry 100 gigabit, though the SFP may be limited to 25.

Can you post the link for the PC? I have a fanless PC for my office work, but it only has RJ45.

Supermicro is the first brand that came up. There may be less expensive options out there.

The need for a DDC is very system-dependent. Making blanket statements (like some folks) about its necessity often overlooks the specific characteristics of one’s setup. If a system already has a clean digital source, like the iFi Zen Stream, which excels in minimizing jitter and electrical noise (see below) as compared to the state-of-the-art DDC like Singxer SU-6 and Holo Red, adding a DDC could indeed be redundant or overkill.

In such cases, the additional conversion step could introduce unnecessary complexity or even compromise sound quality due to the increased signal path. As with any audio component, the key is knowing your system's strengths and weaknesses before deciding whether to introduce something like a DDC.

Jitter Tests

Electric noise

If a system already has a clean digital source, like the iFi Zen Stream, which excels in minimizing jitter and electrical noise (see below) as compared to the state-of-the-art DDC like Singxer SU-6 and Holo Red, adding a DDC could indeed be redundant or overkill.

@lanx0003  Well, I use a Denafrips Iris Fed from my iFi Zen Stream (with iPowerX power supply) and the improvement is significant.  I bought the Iris used so I could just re-sell it if I didn’t notice a difference, but it’s not going anywhere.  So much for measurements being the end all be all.  And BTW, an SU6 or Holo Red is far from SOTA as DDCs go.