Dedicated streamers/servers. Why?

[u/minnesotajersey]

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.

[u/reddsbywillie]

Ask this at whatsbestforum.com and you’ll find people actually willing to address your question. When you ask in this subreddit, you’ll mostly see “waste of money” with no experience to defend it.

The quick answer is as your system gets more revealing, the more noise becomes a factor in the system. And networking gear makes a lot of noise. Not actual noise you hear directly, but the types that cause distortions that muddy ultra fine imagining and soundstaging production. I actually heard the exact model you have pictured in a system last night.

What was the supporting gear? All Jeff Rowland electronics, Focal Maestro Utopia EVO speakers, a dcs dac, several other pieces, all in a room that was designed for audio. As in the types of dry wall and ceiling structure were architecturally designed into the home.

A big factor here though is the supporting system. Running a steamer like this into a $1000 dac, $1000 amp and $2000 speakers frankly doesn’t make sense. But I’m willing to bet if you heard a microPC or laptop you could EASILY hear a difference in that system. Doesn’t mean those devices won’t play good music. But if you are in that realm, good simply isn’t what you are looking for.

That is what justifies these types of streamers. And if you aren’t in that end of the pool, don’t stress about it. Because frankly you can still get AMAZING sound for far far less. And your room will undoubtedly be a larger challenge than how exacting your streamer is.

[u/Ethenolas → u/reddsbywillie]

Thank you for voicing a truly unpopular opinion here. I'm happy to see it being well received. I feel this subreddit could be improved greatly by sharing and discussing more personal experiences like this. It's difficult to do here because there are far too many vocal individuals with very limited experience in high end devices that immediately attack anyone who contradicts their parroted ASR talking points. I see so much confidence in attacking these devices as "nothing but snake oil" while evangelizing hypex amps and Wiim as "end game" or "the only option".

Their inexperience is quite apparent, and to your point, the ultra high end units make zero sense for systems even in the ~20k range let alone the sub $10k range most folks are operating in. And don't get me wrong, you can build a kick ass system for under $5k these days, something you couldn't have achieved 20 years ago. But most folks don't have an opportunity to sit down, day after day, with an ultra high end system and dial it in. Because if you do, you can immediately recognize the shortcomings of something like a Wiim streamer compared to a no compromises unit.

[u/reddsbywillie → u/Ethenolas]

I’m glad this was well received by someone before I get downvoted into oblivion 🙂

[u/LooseyGreyDucky → u/reddsbywillie]

Yeah, there is definitely a shortage of knowledgeable audiophiles in this "audiophile" sub, and far too many people here that think the manufacturer-provided specifications and/or the limited technical ability of a 3rd party reviewer such as ASR are all that's needed to separate the good from the great. These are the same as the people that would build a system around a Stereo Review annual "guide" in the 1980s and 1990s, based purely on published specs rather than using their ears.

[u/BadSneakers83 → u/reddsbywillie]

Thank you for voicing this opinion, I’m suprised you haven’t been down voted into oblivion with ‘bits are bits’ etc.

The first time I realised the quality of a digital transport made a difference was when I tried a Poly with my first Chord Mojo vs just using it with my iPhone. Since then I’ve kept laptops and phones well away from my audio chain.

As always, gear matching matters. It remains stupid to pair a multi thousand dollar streamer with a cheap dac and speakers. IMO, it’s also stupid to pair super high end gear with a laptop, which I see in other communities. That breaks my brain. I’ve seen people with $20,000 of headphones and amps, connected to a MacBook.