Is an audio media transport really better than PC?

[Preston8452]

Hello guys,

I'm having some doubts about purchasing an audio grade media transport or music streamer.
Wouldn't say I'm a sole PC Hi-FI dude, by recently I've been seeing a lot of reviews and articles talking about using a audio streamer to play music can certainly outperform PC playing, like the sound quality and stuff.
I normally use Roon to play music by my PC, which is not bad, but of course not heavenly I'd say haha... anyways, so recently I did some researches about some audio streamer/media transport with fair prices, there's one called Munich M1T, the price is worth a shot, and it's Roon Ready certified, but I'm just still hesitating that if I should buy it.

Can anyone share some insights with me? I'll be grateful big timeee~

 

[Yamaki]

In my view, and it's just my view so don't take it as gospel, what is between the PC & your system has a lot to do with quality. A dedicated streamer does provide some useful features but it may not be needed just to play music from your own digital collection. Plus, subscribing to services through Roon gets you additional content at a reasonable price.

How do you have your PC connected to your system?

 

[JoeESP9]

In my view, and it's just my view so don't take it as gospel, what is between the PC & your system has a lot to do with quality. A dedicated streamer does provide some useful features but it may not be needed just to play music from your own digital collection. Plus, subscribing to services through Roon gets you additional content at a reasonable price.

How do you have your PC connected to your system? If you do, I suggest a USB DAC feeding an analog input on your preamp/receiver/integrated.

I prefer using a PC (laptop) connected to an external USB over any type of dedicated streamer. This is because a PC is simply more flexible. The software available for streaming on any type of PC will be more than adequate. Plus, it will always be up datable. If the manufacturer of a dedicated streaming device folds or stops supporting the device you're SOL. Plus, a laptop is usually cheaper even when you include the cost of an external USB DAC.

A basic $250 Windows laptop is more than adequate for streaming music at any known sampling rate and bit depth.

 

[E-Stat]

I'll voice the counterpoint to Joe's view.

I prefer using small battery powered streamers with Linux based operating systems that do little other than play music. This is because they have lower noise (especially RFI) and are more transparent sounding in my experience. There's simply too much unnecessary activity and processing going on with a general purpose computer. You can assemble a Raspberry Pi based unit for under $100. Software is free.

Server software and library reside on a NAS located far from the systems.

 

[cpt_paranoia]

My view is that a good DAC should perfectly isolate its digital interface from its analogue output.

A DAC using an interface protocol that allows the DAC to pull blocks of samples from the source, store them in a FIFO, and then pull samples from the FIFO as required to feed the DAC chip, should completely isolate itself from influence of the source and digital interface. This means an 'asynchronous USB', or destination-clocked interface.

Thereafter, the quality of the analogue output depends on the quality of the DAC power supplies, DAC clock circuitry & input buffer, DAC reference voltage/current source, DAC conversion, analogue output buffer and image filter. i.e. the actual conversion, not the digital interface.

A poorly implemented DAC may allow electrical noise from the source to reach the analogue output.

A source-clocked DAC interface (SPDIF, I2S) can allow both electrical and temporal noise to reach the analogue output.

Where a source can influence the sound is by applying some euphonic digital filtering. This is no longer bit true, though. Your choice; bit true purity, or filtering that sounds nice to you.

 

[JoeESP9]

I'll voice the counterpoint to Joe's view.

I prefer using small battery powered streamers with Linux based operating systems that do little other than play music. This is because they have lower noise (especially RFI) and are more transparent sounding in my experience. There's simply too much unnecessary activity and processing going on with a general purpose computer. You can assemble a Raspberry Pi based unit for under $100. Software is free.

Server software and library reside on a NAS located far from the systems.

Those Linux "thingies" are nothing but headless PC's running a customized OS.

The screen size on my phone or tablet is just not large enough for me. The 14" display on my music server laptop is enough. If necessary I can direct its output to a 65" TV.

I'm somewhat of a Luddite with regard to phones. I buy BOTL smart phones because I use them only for phone calls and text messages. For me the screen is simply too small for anything else. Even my 7" tablet is too small for me. It's used mostly for downloaded books as is my Nook.

 

[E-Stat]

Those Linux "thingies" are nothing but headless PC's running a customized OS.

I find the real world attributes of lower noise and improved transparency desirable and worthwhile. I declock the RPi in the garage to extend battery life since large amounts of computational power are unnecessary. Both it and the ultraRendu used upstairs require only 5 watts (5V-1A) to operate. My office laptop has a 150 watt power supply!

A Mac Mini, however, is sufficient to drive the office / around house system.

 

[JoeESP9]

I'm not an Apple user. Never will be. Also, the available software for RPi's just doesn't move my "Mojo".

FWIW: I have an 11" laptop running Linux. The available music player software doesn't do it for me.

I refuse to pay for something like Roon.

 

[E-Stat]

Also, the available software for RPi's just doesn't move my "Mojo".

Ok.

I find that piCorePlayer fed by Logitech Media Server using iPeng remotes (watch/phone/pad) checks all my boxes. Have no interest in Roon either.

And it's awful handy to be able to use my watch to change tracks or adjust volume (with the garage system only).

 

[JoeESP9]

I have a number of watches. None of them are smart watches. I'm a longtime fan of analog watches. I sort of collect mechanical chronographs.

 

[E-Stat]

I'm a longtime fan of analog watches.

Same here. My favorites are an Omega Speedmaster and for wet duty, a Casio diver's watch.