Here's the reason why we started the Streamer X DAC Project!
Streamer X DAC Project is an initiative of Vinshine Audio where Vinshine Audio acquire several popular streamers on the market, test them extensively with DENAFRIPS DAC, get accustomed and have the first-hand experience of these streamers in order to be able to make recommendations what are the parameter settings, interface (SPDIF/i2s/USB) work best with DENAFRIPS DAC.
List of streamers on-hand:
Lumin U2 Mini
Volumio RIVO [New, releasing Q4 2022]
pi2Design pi2AES
pi2Design Mercury V1 [Discontinued]
List of wanted streamers:
pi2Design Mercury V2 [In production]
HifiRose RS150B
... suggestion welcome! Leave a comment on Youtube :)
Can a computer be used as a Streamer?
Now you asked, why do you need a streamer? Can't a computer be used as a streamer?
It's a good question.
*Click on the photo to zoom in
The short answer is - Yes, you may use a computer to stream music.
Popular choice for computer:
Inter NUC
Macmini
Fanless/Headless Micro PC
Modern DAC on the market comes with USB input. You may connect the computer' USB output to the DAC, install your favourite software on the computer, and start steaming! It's as simple as that. USB connection is recommended as it is asynchronous; it bypasses the computer built-in sound-card completely.
Popular software:
Roon
Audirvana Studio
Jriver
Foobar
Streamering Services App [Tidal/Spotify/Qubuz...]
If you are tech savvy, you may adopt a DIY solution. Use a Raspberry Pi, install your prefer OS (Operating System), connect the RPI to an external DAC - Voilà! You have a streamer running on a purpose-built OS on a RPI/headless PC.
Popular RPI/Headless PC OS:
Volumio
moOde
RoPieee
Daphile
Euphony Audio
etc
So, do you really need a dedicated Streamer?
As with all things in life, it depends.
If you need a computer to multi-tasks, i.e. browsing internet, word, excel, and at the same time, play music - you may use the computer and double up as a streamer.
If you do not like the hassle to deal with a computer (read: lag, hang, software/hardware doesn't work after a Windows/Mac update), and like to have a device for the sole purpose of streaming music, you may consider a Dedicated Streamer.
Generally speaking, Streamer is a computer with uProcessor, RAM, ROM, Storage and a purpose-built OS, coupled with smartphone/tablet app. The OS and App are the key components to define the user experience. Intuitive and responsive OS and App are big welcome.
High quality Streamer has more tech and stuff implemented for better sound quality where it addressed the shortcoming of 'noisy' computer USB output; you may not not need additional DDC to cleanse the digital signal. These streamers usually spotted with high quality USB output, SPDIF, AES/EBU, and the uncommon I²S output.
Pros / Cons of using a computer / streamer for streaming? YMMV.
Happy listening! ♩ ♪ ♫ ♬ ♭ ♮ ♯
TEAM VINSHINE AUDIO