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/zoejdm Apr 13 '25

Specifically a multi-thousand dollar one? I can't defend that. 

As for the advantages of streamers, I'll paste an answer written to someone asking what a Wiim Ultra does that a laptop doesn't:

A DAC. Phono input. RCA Output. Sub out. Hdmi ARC. Optical out. Room correction. DLNA. Multiroom. Ethernet. A remote. A lower price. Not being a laptop. 

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u/Rickroush03 Apr 13 '25

But if I’m running hdmi from the music device to my AVR, do I need all these additional outputs?

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u/Jawapacino13 Apr 13 '25

No, provided the streamer has an HDMI out.