I'm struggling to understand why a dedicated streamer would provide any better sound quality than a simple tablet, if it all USB out to a DAC.
No difference in sound quality.
The significant difference is functionality - do you want your control device, the tablet, to be tethered via a cable to your audio system? And do you want to risk wearing out the USB-C or Lightning connector by constantly plugging/unplugging them?
If no to either of those questions, there's your reason for buying a streamer.
The significant difference is functionality - do you want your control device, the tablet, to be tethered via a cable to your audio system? And do you want to risk wearing out the USB-C or Lightning connector by constantly plugging/unplugging them?
If no to either of those questions, there's your reason for buying a streamer.
I have a Squeezebox Touch and I also use my laptop through a bluetooth receiver with a DAC. I like them both, but lean more toward my computer. I have a lot more veratility with my computer. I can listen to downloaded music, Pandora, YouTube music, etc. at the touch of a key. I don't notice a difference in the sound, so I'm very happy with my set-up.
