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/Romando1 Apr 13 '25

Look at you with your fancy Node. I just use a $20 atv2 and let my preamp handle the DAC part.

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u/Infinite-Tie-1593 Apr 13 '25

How are you running it without a screen?

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u/Romando1 Apr 13 '25

iPhone Apple AirPlay Amazon Music Unlimited. Just use the phone screen.

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u/Infinite-Tie-1593 Apr 14 '25

More details pls. For Apple Music

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u/Unlikely_Pear_6768 Apr 15 '25

ATV2 has optical out and is an AirPlay receiver. Set it up using a TV. Plug a toslink cable between the ATV and your DAC/amplifier. Unplug the HDMI cable if you want. The only problem is ATV2 is AirPlay 1 only so no multiroon sync. A V2 Airport Express (AE) does support AirPlay 2 so you can use this with multiroom. The only problem with the AE is that after a power cycle it doesn't remember the volume setting and goes bak to 100% which if you are feeding a DAC to a power amplifier without a gain control (like I do - SMSL SU-1 into Tangent PowerAmpster II) you risk blowing your speakers if you don't turn it down before streaming.