DAC + streamer or DAC only

[kantx]

Still pondering streaming from Mac to feed Qobuz to system.
I had the option to by an Aurender N10 but postponed.
Is a streamer really needed when I could use a Golden Gate from Mac
to system ?
Discussed it with Srajan Ebaen who's not convinced with streamers.
Your view ?

 

[DeMarko]

The short answer is yes, in my experience. But it will depend on the quality and abilities of the server / renderer. I now use server + renderer. Aurender N10 is that. If you use Lampizator Golden Gate, then Lampi Superkomputer is that - would be a big step up over Srajan's experience IMHO, of course, but pretty sure. I use Antipodes for the sound quality but also for interface and flexibility.

I used to use streamers + various computers as servers. I had 2 different streamers + several computers before I had an incident that demonstrated to me loud and clear that I need a proper audiophile class server. By that time I also understood that I wouldn't build my own computer / server so I started looking for a ready made good one.
I can now say that having an audiophile class server (not just renderer) is vital to the sound. I mostly listen to internally stored files, so it's essential not only for streaming but for internally stored files too. I can also say that there are very few good servers that I would consider for my system, they are definitely not the same.

 

[DeMarko]

May be you could get a good server on loan? Beware, they need burn in like many things in audio, 200+ hours.