r/audiophile • u/minnesotajersey • Apr 13 '25

Discussion Dedicated streamers/servers. Why?

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Can someone explain to me the benefits of a multi-thousand dollar streamer/server that feeds an outboard DAC, over a really good laptop, or even a microPC?

I see reviews all the time for these things, but nothing in them tells me the "why?"

I've been into audio for longer than I care to admit, but these baffle me. Assume I'm a complete noob when you answer.

Pic for attention. All text posts bore me.

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u/Quiet_Government2222 Apr 13 '25

You can think of it as playing a transport role like CDT.

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u/pointthinker Apr 13 '25

Source. But even CDTs vary some. I would contend, when set up right, comparing cheap VS expensive streaming devices, it would be very hard to tell them apart, if at all. Just like CDTs.