You only see your own use case, for example at your desk, where your laptop is.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 ?
We've another thread about this already:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/streamers-i-don’t-get-it-am-i-missing-something.25213/
Me too have my Hifi system in the Living Room and placing the Laptop near it is not an issue, moreover the Laptop is to be used only for the hifi setupYou only see your own use case, for example at your desk, where your laptop is.
But the majority have a HiFi system in a living room, a room specifically for it or even in the bedroom and don't want a laptop or PC there.
Many people also use their laptop/PC or MAC for work. This becomes a problem when it comes to computing/performance-intensive requirements.
There are many areas of application where the laptop/DAC combination is not ideal, or where someone doesn't want it.
You just have to think outside the box.
And no, there is definitely no advantage to this combination in terms of sound.
That's your solution and it may be OK or perfect for you, but not for others.Me too have my Hifi system in the Living Room and placing the Laptop near it is not an issue, moreover the Laptop is to be used only for the hifi setup
Streaming is first and foremost just software or software functionality. It has nothing to do with the hardware used, except that it requires certain data inputs, data outputs and a certain amount of processor power in between.I understand the convenience of a streamer but still don't understand the hardware in a streamer. Put another way, what hardware does a streaming amp have that a non-streaming amp doesn't have?
Great explanation, thank you. So the difference between say a $100 streamer and a $1000 streamer is due solely to the quality of 'additional components' used?Streaming is first and foremost just software or software functionality. It has nothing to do with the hardware used, except that it requires certain data inputs, data outputs and a certain amount of processor power in between.
The difference from a device with the normal function of being able to play music that is stored locally is the ability to play music from another location, in your house or outside, without first copying the file locally. This is called streaming.
That's why you can turn almost any PC, Mac, Raspberry, etc. into a streamer by installing and configuring suitable software.
A DAC function and everything else are additional components.
And to make it even clearer for you, a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W plus a 5 volt power supply and an 8/16GB micro SD card is enough to get a fully functional streamer, I've already tested it myself.Great explanation, thank you. So the difference between say a $100 streamer and a $1000 streamer is due solely to the quality of 'additional components' used?
That depends on you, and only you can say whether the more expensive device is of any use to you.Thank you! Last question if I may, given this information what is the purpose and benefit of an (expensive) 'streaming transport' if it has only software and a power supply but no DAC?
Check out what you get when you buy the ZEN Mk3 by Innuos.Thank you! Last question if I may, given this information what is the purpose and benefit of an (expensive) 'streaming transport' if it has only software and a power supply but no DAC?