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People deleting threads. Don't do it if you want to be taken remotely seriously. @SiR I'm talking to you.
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restorer-john
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Oh, and here's the effort people put into replying:
Streamers or LAPTOP
SiR
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What is the need of a Streamer when we can connect Laptop to a DAC through USB and use the internal Hard disk of the Laptop or an External HDD to play our music collections we have and play the Music Streaming services like Apple Music, Spotify etc., from the laptop itself ?
What place do a Streamer have here to convince one to go for it ?
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mags65
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Small form-factor, silent, specialized solution with relevant inputs/outputs meant for audio directly integrated with streaming services through made-for-purpose app, often with additional features such as PEQ built in.
Your question should really be the other way around given streamer functionality in 2024.
Home: Roon (Mac Mini 2022, 8/256) -> WiiM Pro -> RME ADI-2 DAC FS (AKM 4493) -> Nord Acoustics Nord One NCx500 DM MkII -> Fyne Audio F502SP
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voodooless
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SiR said:
What place do a Streamer have here to convince one to go for it ?
To be able to put your laptop anywhere and still play music. No need to lug a USB cable around. A laptop is a portable device, adding a cabled accessory defeats the purpose. And a streamer means you don't even need a laptop at all. It can stay closed, off, or disconnected. Now, if you use it on a desktop and only listen to music there, a streamer is for little value. It really depends on your use case.
Do diamonds shine on the dark side of the moon?
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dan_uk
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If USB from laptop to DAC, you might need a usb isolator, like the DSD Tech SH-G01L... Not sure if most people do or not, but certainly I got a hum / grounding noise when I went from PC to DAC.
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Purité Audio
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Convenience, but the price you pay is perhaps limited playback options, having said that you with the number of connectivity options offered by contemporary streamers that is less and less of an issue.
Keith
Purité Audio, London
We have a BLOG ( for a really wet afternoon) not really aimed at you lot
https://www.puriteaudio.co.uk/articles
https://www.puriteaudio.co.uk/news-purite-audio-retailer-london
We represent the best measuring and thus best sounding equipment currently available.
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SiR
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mags65 said:
Small form-factor, silent, specialized solution with relevant inputs/outputs meant for audio directly integrated with streaming services through made-for-purpose app, often with additional features such as PEQ built in.
Your question should really be the other way around given streamer functionality in 2024.
Your response is right on the use case if one depend on the streaming services alone for listening to music but I have a large collection of songs in WAV and flac format stored in internal hdd of a laptop and external hdd
Listening from the Streaming services is an additional preference for me
Hence, I wished to have a clarification from the experienced members to know their feedback on the usage of laptop instead of a streamer
Last edited: 14 minutes ago
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SiR
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dan_uk said:
If USB from laptop to DAC, you might need a usb isolator, like the DSD Tech SH-G01L... Not sure if most people do or not, but certainly I got a hum / grounding noise when I went from PC to DAC.
I usually see the other way from various users of Laptop or PC connected to a DAC through USB
Input to a DAC through the USB is the best, effective way to listen to music
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Purité Audio
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No difference in SQ, just purely depends which is more convenient for you.
I used my old macbook pro as my reference for years into the same dac it sounded identical to everything else even the two ‘audio’ computers I commissioned.
Keith
Purité Audio, London
We have a BLOG ( for a really wet afternoon) not really aimed at you lot
https://www.puriteaudio.co.uk/articles
https://www.puriteaudio.co.uk/news-purite-audio-retailer-london
We represent the best measuring and thus best sounding equipment currently available.
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mags65
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SiR said:
Your response is right on the use case if one depend on the streaming services alone for listening to music but I have a large collection of songs in WAV and flac format stored in internal hdd of a laptop and external hdd
Listening from the Streaming services is an additional preference for me
Hence, I wished to have a clarification from the experienced members to know their feedback on the usage of laptop instead of a streamer
Most decent modern streamers cater for this, too. You can either hook up a HDD or SSD with your files via USB (e.g. Wiim Ultra, Eversolo DMPs) or they have the ability to install an SSD themselves (e.g. Eversolo DMPs). For instance, my cabin system (see signature) has a 2TB SSD in the Eversolo with around 1000 of my CDs ripped to FLAC.
Home: Roon (Mac Mini 2022, 8/256) -> WiiM Pro -> RME ADI-2 DAC FS (AKM 4493) -> Nord Acoustics Nord One NCx500 DM MkII -> Fyne Audio F502SP
Cabin: Eversolo DMP-A6 -> Nord Acoustics Nord Value-Line MP NC252 -> Dali Oberon 7
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MaxwellsEq
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SiR said:
Your response is right on the use case if one depend on the streaming services alone for listening to music but I have a large collection of songs in WAV and flac format stored in internal hdd of a laptop and external hdd
Listening from the Streaming services is an additional preference for me
Hence, I wished to have a clarification from the experienced members to know their feedback on the usage of laptop instead of a streamer
1) Lots of people these days have a "desktop playback" solution but more legacy setups are in family rooms with speakers and HiFi in line of sight. In my "legacy" room setup, I would NOT get away with a laptop open and permanently on show! A single box streamer just "disappears" as another box in the stack!
2) I have a NAS with all of my FLAC and ripped CDs on. My single box streamer reads those over the LAN. I would NOT solely rely on the files in a laptop or PC hard drive because of a lack of hardware redundancy (I also backup the NAS of course).
BSc Electronics. Studio engineering. Large copper/fiber IP and media networks. Cybersecurity. Corporate risk and resilience. Technology strategy.
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Streamers or LAPTOP
- Thread starter SiR
- Start date Today at 6:30 PM
SiR
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What is the need of a Streamer when we can connect Laptop to a DAC through USB and use the internal Hard disk of the Laptop or an External HDD to play our music collections we have and play the Music Streaming services like Apple Music, Spotify etc., from the laptop itself ?
What place do a Streamer have here to convince one to go for it ?
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mags65
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Small form-factor, silent, specialized solution with relevant inputs/outputs meant for audio directly integrated with streaming services through made-for-purpose app, often with additional features such as PEQ built in.
Your question should really be the other way around given streamer functionality in 2024.
Home: Roon (Mac Mini 2022, 8/256) -> WiiM Pro -> RME ADI-2 DAC FS (AKM 4493) -> Nord Acoustics Nord One NCx500 DM MkII -> Fyne Audio F502SP
Cabin: Eversolo DMP-A6 -> Nord Acoustics Nord Value-Line MP NC252 -> Dali Oberon 7
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SiR said:
What place do a Streamer have here to convince one to go for it ?
To be able to put your laptop anywhere and still play music. No need to lug a USB cable around. A laptop is a portable device, adding a cabled accessory defeats the purpose. And a streamer means you don't even need a laptop at all. It can stay closed, off, or disconnected. Now, if you use it on a desktop and only listen to music there, a streamer is for little value. It really depends on your use case.
Do diamonds shine on the dark side of the moon?
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dan_uk
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If USB from laptop to DAC, you might need a usb isolator, like the DSD Tech SH-G01L... Not sure if most people do or not, but certainly I got a hum / grounding noise when I went from PC to DAC.
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Purité Audio
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Convenience, but the price you pay is perhaps limited playback options, having said that you with the number of connectivity options offered by contemporary streamers that is less and less of an issue.
Keith
Purité Audio, London
We have a BLOG ( for a really wet afternoon) not really aimed at you lot
https://www.puriteaudio.co.uk/articles
https://www.puriteaudio.co.uk/news-purite-audio-retailer-london
We represent the best measuring and thus best sounding equipment currently available.
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SiR
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mags65 said:
Small form-factor, silent, specialized solution with relevant inputs/outputs meant for audio directly integrated with streaming services through made-for-purpose app, often with additional features such as PEQ built in.
Your question should really be the other way around given streamer functionality in 2024.
Your response is right on the use case if one depend on the streaming services alone for listening to music but I have a large collection of songs in WAV and flac format stored in internal hdd of a laptop and external hdd
Listening from the Streaming services is an additional preference for me
Hence, I wished to have a clarification from the experienced members to know their feedback on the usage of laptop instead of a streamer
Last edited: 14 minutes ago
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SiR
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dan_uk said:
If USB from laptop to DAC, you might need a usb isolator, like the DSD Tech SH-G01L... Not sure if most people do or not, but certainly I got a hum / grounding noise when I went from PC to DAC.
I usually see the other way from various users of Laptop or PC connected to a DAC through USB
Input to a DAC through the USB is the best, effective way to listen to music
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Purité Audio
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No difference in SQ, just purely depends which is more convenient for you.
I used my old macbook pro as my reference for years into the same dac it sounded identical to everything else even the two ‘audio’ computers I commissioned.
Keith
Purité Audio, London
We have a BLOG ( for a really wet afternoon) not really aimed at you lot
https://www.puriteaudio.co.uk/articles
https://www.puriteaudio.co.uk/news-purite-audio-retailer-london
We represent the best measuring and thus best sounding equipment currently available.
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mags65
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SiR said:
Your response is right on the use case if one depend on the streaming services alone for listening to music but I have a large collection of songs in WAV and flac format stored in internal hdd of a laptop and external hdd
Listening from the Streaming services is an additional preference for me
Hence, I wished to have a clarification from the experienced members to know their feedback on the usage of laptop instead of a streamer
Most decent modern streamers cater for this, too. You can either hook up a HDD or SSD with your files via USB (e.g. Wiim Ultra, Eversolo DMPs) or they have the ability to install an SSD themselves (e.g. Eversolo DMPs). For instance, my cabin system (see signature) has a 2TB SSD in the Eversolo with around 1000 of my CDs ripped to FLAC.
Home: Roon (Mac Mini 2022, 8/256) -> WiiM Pro -> RME ADI-2 DAC FS (AKM 4493) -> Nord Acoustics Nord One NCx500 DM MkII -> Fyne Audio F502SP
Cabin: Eversolo DMP-A6 -> Nord Acoustics Nord Value-Line MP NC252 -> Dali Oberon 7
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MaxwellsEq
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SiR said:
Your response is right on the use case if one depend on the streaming services alone for listening to music but I have a large collection of songs in WAV and flac format stored in internal hdd of a laptop and external hdd
Listening from the Streaming services is an additional preference for me
Hence, I wished to have a clarification from the experienced members to know their feedback on the usage of laptop instead of a streamer
1) Lots of people these days have a "desktop playback" solution but more legacy setups are in family rooms with speakers and HiFi in line of sight. In my "legacy" room setup, I would NOT get away with a laptop open and permanently on show! A single box streamer just "disappears" as another box in the stack!
2) I have a NAS with all of my FLAC and ripped CDs on. My single box streamer reads those over the LAN. I would NOT solely rely on the files in a laptop or PC hard drive because of a lack of hardware redundancy (I also backup the NAS of course).
BSc Electronics. Studio engineering. Large copper/fiber IP and media networks. Cybersecurity. Corporate risk and resilience. Technology strategy.
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It wasn't deleted, it was merged with the existing thread on the same topic.
Here is where it merged and his post:
audiosciencereview.com
Streamers. I don’t get it. Am I missing something?
PS @Yorkshire Mouth, nice profile pic I've been meaning to put one up for a while. I don't want to chop and change, as that just gets confusing, but I may swap every now and then. Saw them play the album on full on the 20th anniversary tour at the Manchester Apollo.
audiosciencereview.com
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Did you consider apology? Or you know, deleting this thread...
There is an option to alert people who have posted that posts have been moved, but would that have helped in this case?
I did mention it in the thread it was moved to, and the old thread disappeared so that search results just go to one thread in the future. It is clearly imperfect.
A quick check on @SiR 's posting history would have shown his post in a new thread with the same content, but assuming we just deleted the whole thing for no apparent reason did make for a lovely Aussie G'day mate.
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restorer-john
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I figured the OP deleted his own thread and that was the source of my frustration. Not directed at @BDWoody or any other moderators.
Not in this particular case, but I've typed a long, considered replies, full of device-specific technical information, sectional marked-up scans of schematics and particular details to help someone, only to hit reply and see it all disappear into a deleted thread. It's like all that time is just wasted.
Along the same lines as members who sign up on the day, send a PM asking for help fixing some piece of gear, get their personalised help and disappear, often with no thanks, adding nothing to the ASR community except getting free repair advice, often for their "technician" who they are paying to fix something he's given up on because it's too hard.
Those PMs now get told by me to start a thread and I'll join in, so it can help everyone down the track.
Not in this particular case, but I've typed a long, considered replies, full of device-specific technical information, sectional marked-up scans of schematics and particular details to help someone, only to hit reply and see it all disappear into a deleted thread. It's like all that time is just wasted.
Along the same lines as members who sign up on the day, send a PM asking for help fixing some piece of gear, get their personalised help and disappear, often with no thanks, adding nothing to the ASR community except getting free repair advice, often for their "technician" who they are paying to fix something he's given up on because it's too hard.
Those PMs now get told by me to start a thread and I'll join in, so it can help everyone down the track.
coonmanx
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LOL. Awesome rant thread.
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That's a bit like moving content from Page-A to Page-B and then posting the notice on Page-B (which won't be seen by those looking for Page-A).
Would it be too difficult, after the move/merge, to delete all the old replies and leave one moderator reply with a link to the [other] thread? Seems like a fairly basic concept in the world of hypertext.
Last edited:
@restorer-john your posts are much appreciated for advice and humor. Don't let a few clowns deter your responses. Perhaps an adult beverage is in order. Just a thought.
I've been caught by this a few times, reading a thread that abruptly disappears. Then sometimes come across it again in the catch-all threads that things get moved to.
That would help. I'd love to see, generally, more moderator-tagged posts noting where things have been moved and removed. And sometimes that's done, then the moderator advice is later removed. Personally I prefer forensic attribution to overzealous tidiness. I'm not doing the actual work, or familiar with the features of the platform, however.
That would help. I'd love to see, generally, more moderator-tagged posts noting where things have been moved and removed. And sometimes that's done, then the moderator advice is later removed. Personally I prefer forensic attribution to overzealous tidiness. I'm not doing the actual work, or familiar with the features of the platform, however.
Blumlein 88
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Though maybe this case is different, I too have a few times replied with some detailed info when someone posts asking about a problem, only to find when I hit Post Reply the post is gone. Not moved, not merged, the OP deleted it. Sometimes a very similar post reappears in a new thread a few hours later or never appears again.
Yes this and desperate posters starting several threads with same question or topic phrased slightly different. Annoying.
Wayne A. Pflughaupt
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There is an option to alert people who have posted that posts have been moved, but would that have helped in this case?
I did mention it in the thread it was moved to, and the old thread disappeared so that search results just go to one thread in the future. It is clearly imperfect.
A quick check on @SiR 's posting history would have shown his post in a new thread with the same content, but assuming we just deleted the whole thing for no apparent reason did make for a lovely Aussie G'day mate.
Don't replies to the merged thread send email alerts to anyone who had posted in either thread? Thus, people who posted in the thread that got merged would get notified of new replies?
Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt
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