Streamer versus Computer?

[Gorgonzola]

Why use a streamer, (such as a WiiM, Eversolo, Bluesound, et al.), rather than a computer for streaming audio? All streaming services as well as Roon have browse-based interfaces, so where is the advantage of a dedicated streamer device, excepting perhaps initial set set-up?

[edit] "Computer" includes not only Windows PC and Mac but also, e.g., Raspberry Pi which supports , PiCoreplayer based on LMS, Spotify, Tidal, Qobus, Roon Bridge, Volumio, etc.

A computer can cost you significantly less money than a streamer if chosen sensibly. For example an Eversolo DMP-A6 Gen 2 cost CAD 1300; one can buy a fairly powerful Windows computer for much less than that. The computer could at the same time run the Roon server for folks using the service.

I recently purchased then resold a WiiM Ultra. Subsequently -- and stupidly after the WiiM experience -- bought and resold an Eversolo A6. I was running a Windows computer playing my own library used Foobar2000 and intended to continue doing so. Neither of those mentioned streamers added any value for me.

 

[popej]

Every solution has its problems. Dedicated devices usually less. My current criteria is multichannel streaming. Does any provider of Atmos music support PC?

 

[Grotti]

I listen to music mainly in my living room and I very much enjoy my Wiim Ultra with SSD added. No need for a computer in my setting....

 

[goat76]

I use a dedicated streamer even though I have a stationary computer connected to the main speaker system. I like the idea of having a ”pure” audio system that is never affected by all the updates and possible downtimes, which are unavoidable with a multi-functional system that a computer is. Whenever I do something computer related, I can listen to music without anything getting in the way.

A dedicated streamer is basically a direct comparison to the use of a CD player or a turntable. A dedicated music player.

 

[jimmyjames8]

I had a pretty nice PC streaming loudspeaker desk top set up before I moved. Now my wifes office and my office are next to each other so no desktop loudspeaker system anymore. I bought the Wiim Pro Plus streamer and hooked it up to same dac/amp and speakers for my shop system and the difference is staggering. Could be one or several variables but I am really surprised how much better the Wiim is over the PC to dac/amp. YMMV.

 

[Gorgonzola]

I listen to music mainly in my living room and I very much enjoy my Wiim Ultra with SSD added. No need for a computer in my setting....

This is going to make sense for many people. In my case the computer is indispensable because I'm highly committed to my Foobar2000 Windows-base player; IMHO, Foobar is ideal for accessing one's own music library, especially Classical genre.

 

[amper42]

A Computer streamer works totally fine. I use the RPI5 with Moode and love it. What I like is all the options and low price.
1. I use DLNA offered by Moode to support Qobuz playback via MacBook Pro. This works nice for trying new music.
2. For the songs I really like, I purchase and copy them to a USB Drive attached to RPI5. Moode displays wonderful album covers and will playback my favorite music with no computer required and start playback automatically after it's plugged in and booted.

The benefit of the RPI5 with a great DAC is that USB connection. In addition, with hundreds of albums on the USB drive it's super clean and doesn't even require a network connection for playback. The only network interaction is when you control Moode from an IP address via phone, iPad or computer. Simple and appealing.

 

[Gorgonzola]

I use a dedicated streamer even though I have a stationary computer connected to the main speaker system. I like the idea of having a ”pure” audio system that is never affected by all the updates and possible downtimes, which are unavoidable with a multi-functional system that a computer is. Whenever I do something computer related, I can listen to music without anything getting in the way.

A dedicated streamer is basically a direct comparison to the use of a CD player or a turntable. A dedicated music player.

When you say "better" are you referring to sound quality? Like you say, that may be true in your case for various reasons.

In my case both the WiiM Ultra and Eversolo A6 sound very good but not better than my computer to Topping D90 DAC acting as preamp.

 

[goat76]

When you say "better" are you referring to sound quality? Like you say, that may be true in your case for various reasons.

In my case both the WiiM Ultra and Eversolo A6 sound very good but not better than my computer to Topping D90 DAC acting as preamp.

Who said anything about “better”? I sure didn't say that.

I said “pure”, which I used to describe a single-purpose system, “purely” used for only playing music audio tracks and nothing else.

 

[Mort]

I was running a Windows computer playing my own library used Foobar2000 and intended to continue doing so.

I don't understand why the question. Have you not made up your mind? Computer adds ambient noise.

 

[Gorgonzola]

Who said anything about “better”? I sure didn't say that.

I said “pure”, which I used to describe a single-purpose system, “purely” used for only playing music audio tracks and nothing else.

Sorry, my apology. I was confusing you with ...

I had a pretty nice PC streaming loudspeaker desk top set up before I moved. Now my wifes office and my office are next to each other so no desktop loudspeaker system anymore. I bought the Wiim Pro Plus streamer and hooked it up to same dac/amp and speakers for my shop system and the difference is staggering. Could be one or several variables but I am really surprised how much better the Wiim is over the PC to dac/amp. YMMV.

 

[AndyMorris]

Or a phone. I use MusicBee on my PC and PowerAmp on my phone. When I buy and rip new records I copy them from PC to an sd card I keep in my phone, with a batch file.

Musicbee does a good job of ripping CDs from a standard usb DVD drive. I use audacity and VinylStudio to rip vinyl then MP3Tag to get the covers and edit the tags, and get the filenames right.

So effectively I have a streamer I can use from my desk, use my phone in the shower and my kitchen with Bluetooth speakers. It can connect to the car and Bluetooth headphones when I go out.

 

[fatoldgit]

All streaming services as well as Roon have browse-based interfaces, so where is the advantage of a dedicated streamer device, excepting perhaps initial set set-up?

Roon does not use a browser based interface, it used OpenGL 3.0 or higher as the GUI engine. (see https://www.opengl.org/)

In fact very few music applications (3rd parry like Roon or those that are native to some hardware device) use a browser based interface, they instead use a GUI engine.

LMS is one that is browser based.

Peter

 

[G|force]

I don't understand why the question. Have you not made up your mind? Computer adds ambient noise.

My M1 Mac Mini doesn't.

 

[BlueTunes]

Computer adds ambient noise.

It does?

How does it do that?

The computer just sends the bits to the Dac in (or next too...) the Amp.

Where does noise come into it?

Genuinely curious.

 

[RexrothPigeon]

i use an old macbook for roon, pulling from my collection in the cloud. the mbp lives in another room, several walls away from my primary music system. i use my phone to select music and adjust volume. my speakers are active and roon ready, so they are connected to the wall with network cables and don't need any other components.

every now and then roon updates and i have to go to that other room & attend to the laptop, but it's really no trouble.

 

[Berwhale]

Why one or the other? Why not both? I use my PC to stream at my desk and a Wiim Pro to stream at my bedside. I've also used a RaspberryPi running PiPlexamp, PiCoreplayer and Moode at my bedside, but the Wiim Pro is easier to live with because it requires less maintenance (OS and software updates).

 

[Matias]

Wiim Pro as an affordable digital source to my DAC. Computer in another room serving shared files. Best of both worlds!

 

[antcollinet]

Why use a streamer, (such as a WiiM, Eversolo, Bluesound, et al.), rather than a computer for streaming audio? All streaming services as well as Roon have browse-based interfaces, so where is the advantage of a dedicated streamer device, excepting perhaps initial set set-up?

A computer can cost you significantly less money than a streamer if chosen sensibly. For example an Eversolo DMP-A6 Gen 2 cost CAD 1300; one can buy a fairly powerful Windows computer for much less than that. The computer could at the same time run the Roon server for folks using the service.

I recently purchased then resold a WiiM Ultra. Subsequently -- and stupidly after the WiiM experience -- bought and resold an Eversolo A6. I was running a Windows computer playing my own library used Foobar2000 and intended to continue doing so. Neither of those mentioned streamers added any value for me.

I use a computer - but only because I listen to music while using the computer - and my computer is part of my entertainment system (The TV is also the monitor)

 

[SuicideSquid]

A computer can cost you significantly less money than a streamer if chosen sensibly. For example an Eversolo DMP-A6 Gen 2 cost CAD 1300; one can buy a fairly powerful Windows computer for much less than that. The computer could at the same time run the Roon server for folks using the service.

My $99 WiiM would like a word.


A PC requires more technical knowledge to set up and operate. I use a PC in my living room, I use streamers in my bedroom and den. They do different things. A PC can certainly be cheaper than "audiophile" scam streamers but it's definitely a bigger commitment in both time and money to set one up vs. a WiiM Mini or WiiM Pro.