Upgrading from MacBook Pro USB-C to dedicated Streamer/Server

[nasty nate]

Hi All,

I was hoping someone who has made this change to their system can attest to any sonic improvements they heard as a result.

My current favorite headphone chain is:

MBP 19 Running AmazonHD Music (USB-C) --> Bifrost 2 --> Lyr3 --> HD800S

Would a dedicated streamer make any noticeable sonic improvements to my above chain? I'm not looking for night and day changes but was curious if someone recently made this change and noticed lower noise floor, or better sonic qualities...

• I ask this because I've read everywhere that laptops are noise monsters - and it makes sense of course, there are many different modules / components in this thin laptop and I'm sure that some noise is passed along.
• I would also be happy to hear non-sonic arguments for making this change (Convenience for instance)

Lets assume that price is out of the equation - I'm just looking for slight improvement, and hopefully something that can do USB / TOSLINK and run Amazon HD or a similar streaming platform.

Thank you in advance for any advice you can offer

 

[Deolum]

Imo yes. In my experienced the source is one of the biggest factors.

I would advise you to start with a small streamer like a Sotm Sms 200 or a Microrendu. Those have USB output and sound imo better than the classic computer. If possible try to hardwire these with your ethernet.

If you're looking for a better UI i can recommend the Lumin U1 Mini. But this is more expensive.

Amazon HD is almost impossible to play on streamers at the moment. That is because there seems to be no app that can play Amazon Music over DLNA as well as there is no streamer integration. The only streamers i know that can Amazon are BLUEOS devices like the Node2. They have also many outputs but if you want a sound improvement i don't think they are good.

Tidal and Qobuz is playable with almost every streamer on the market.

 

[Roseval]

I'm sure that some noise is passed along.

Any evidence?
When they started developing a USB DAC, they pretty soon discovered the importance a separating the digital and the analog part.
A long but fascinating read: Hitoshi Kondoh; The D/A diaries:

When the first "audiophile" quality DAC hit the martket (Ayre QB 9) of course they isolated the USB receiver completely from the source.
This is common practice for any well implemented USB DAC.

USB Galvanic Isolation

If you don't hear noise in your current setup, you won't improve by moving to a server.