Is a streamer / DAP really less noisy than a traditional computer? And we can hear that?

[phofman]

I could easily identify the M50 Topping because it sounded apparently louder (and also other differences)

How is this possible since what comes into the DAC is simply an asynchronous data stream?

Source 1: PC > USB > D90 DAC > A90 amp

Source 2: Topping M50 > I2S > D90 DAC > A90 amp

My 2 cents either the PC player or/and the M50 player attenuate the stream a bit before sending to USB/I2S. What path was used for the PC? Direct (ASIO/Wasapi Exclusive) or through the windows mixer? Is the M50 player confirmed to be bit-perfect for lossless input?

 

[TaxTime]

In order to hear or not to hear noise you may use a sound file with no signal. There is software like Audacity which can create this. Also to create or download audio files with sine tones of different frequencies with different levels. So you may hear distortion or noise difference between the gear.

You can also find "silent" files (all zeros) to download for free on the internet (instead of having to create your own) at various sample rates/bit depths.

 

[somebodyelse]

You can also find "silent" files (all zeros) to download for free on the internet (instead of having to create your own) at various sample rates/bit depths.

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...to-sox-audio-tool-as-a-signal-generator.4242/

 

[phofman]

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...to-sox-audio-tool-as-a-signal-generator.4242/

Thanks a lot for mentioning SoX, that extremely useful tool is quite underrated in the audio community. It can have the job done before a GUI tool even gets to start up.