What's the difference between a DAC and a streamer?
Posted by: Gary S. on 27 January 2009
Ok, showing my ignorance here, especially as I own a Linn DS, but what are the differences?
The Linn is capable of operating without a computer, all you need is a media tablet to host the GUI software to allow you to choose the tracks and the device etc. The NAS then streams the signal straight to the DS. Obviously the DS contains a DAC but what else?
I am assuming a stand alone DAC needs a computer running appropriate software to stream the music? or can you also bypass the computer using a DAC.
Just trying to understand the demand for a Naim DAC.
Regards
Gary
The Linn is capable of operating without a computer, all you need is a media tablet to host the GUI software to allow you to choose the tracks and the device etc. The NAS then streams the signal straight to the DS. Obviously the DS contains a DAC but what else?
I am assuming a stand alone DAC needs a computer running appropriate software to stream the music? or can you also bypass the computer using a DAC.
Just trying to understand the demand for a Naim DAC.
Regards
Gary
Posted on: 27 January 2009 by Gary S.
Ah, I've just spotted that this seems to be being discussed in the "Come on...Daacs, Unity??) thread, but any comments still welcome.
Posted on: 27 January 2009 by garyi
A dac is a dac, a digital to anaogue convertor. Nothing more nothing less.
It takes a digital signal, whether from an traditional laser transport as found in a CDplayer, or from another digital source such as a computer or 'streamed' over ethernet or wireless (via a streming device). It takes that signal which is digital, converts it to analogue so that it can be played through your hifi.
A streaming device will have a dac in it if it has analogue outputs. A streaming device is basically a small computer. It will be talking with a home router to receive incoming signals from a computer else where on the local area network. Remember a NAS is just a small computer with a harddrive attached.
The nas or main computer will deliver streams of data down an ethernet cable to a home router which will then deliver it either wirelessly or down more ethernet cable to your streaming device which will make sense of the 1s and 0s to give you music. The date that travles down an ethernet cable is not simply music in the sense of what a DAC understands, its packets of data, hense the need for that streaming device to make sense of it). The streaming device will then deliver music either via its inbuilt DAC or passing it onto an external dac depending on your preference.
Examples of streaming devices:
AppleTv
HDX
Airport Express
Logitech Transporter
Logitech SqueezeBox
Logitech Duet
The linn jobbies
Sonos
They give them fancy name and each device may well do additional things, but they all stream.
It takes a digital signal, whether from an traditional laser transport as found in a CDplayer, or from another digital source such as a computer or 'streamed' over ethernet or wireless (via a streming device). It takes that signal which is digital, converts it to analogue so that it can be played through your hifi.
A streaming device will have a dac in it if it has analogue outputs. A streaming device is basically a small computer. It will be talking with a home router to receive incoming signals from a computer else where on the local area network. Remember a NAS is just a small computer with a harddrive attached.
The nas or main computer will deliver streams of data down an ethernet cable to a home router which will then deliver it either wirelessly or down more ethernet cable to your streaming device which will make sense of the 1s and 0s to give you music. The date that travles down an ethernet cable is not simply music in the sense of what a DAC understands, its packets of data, hense the need for that streaming device to make sense of it). The streaming device will then deliver music either via its inbuilt DAC or passing it onto an external dac depending on your preference.
Examples of streaming devices:
AppleTv
HDX
Airport Express
Logitech Transporter
Logitech SqueezeBox
Logitech Duet
The linn jobbies
Sonos
They give them fancy name and each device may well do additional things, but they all stream.
Posted on: 27 January 2009 by Gary S.
Gary
That is a very clear summary and is more or less what I thought, so the big question for me is why the demand for a Naim DAC and not so much call for a Naim Streamer? This is not intended as a contentious question, I just don't understand the appeal of a stand alone DAC. To me it seems of very limited use. I could understand it in the context of a separate CD transport like the Meridian concept, but not in the context of a distributed audio system, where one is likely to use a NAS.
Obviously there are those using their MACs, but it would surely be easier to dispense with the computer and just use a remotely situated NAs and a media tablet as a control device.
Gary
That is a very clear summary and is more or less what I thought, so the big question for me is why the demand for a Naim DAC and not so much call for a Naim Streamer? This is not intended as a contentious question, I just don't understand the appeal of a stand alone DAC. To me it seems of very limited use. I could understand it in the context of a separate CD transport like the Meridian concept, but not in the context of a distributed audio system, where one is likely to use a NAS.
Obviously there are those using their MACs, but it would surely be easier to dispense with the computer and just use a remotely situated NAs and a media tablet as a control device.
Gary
Posted on: 27 January 2009 by pcstockton
Gary S,
I would imagine the demand is equal for both. Although most of us simplify things by mentioning DACs only.
What most here want, that don't own and are not interested in an HDX, is a Naim solution to DACing files stored on a computer HD or NAS. Some of us already have the files, the ability to rip cds, have tons of hard drive space, and are willing to piece together a source for a fraction of the HDX price.
In that case, an external USB DAC would be ideal. If the computer is in another area of the home than the computer, a streaming option is desirable.
Also, to a smaller degree, people have possible sources with digital outputs they could use with an external DAC but not with a streamer.
I personally simply need an External DAC, no need for anything else.
Others want to stream.
And another group wants a one box, guess free, solution, the HDX.
Keep in mind that most streamers do have an internal DAC of varying quality. I am sure they exist, but I have never crossed the path of a streamer without analog output.
Depending on the quality of the DAC inside, a streamer may often be used with a separate external DAC, as is the case with a Sonos, SB, or Apple option.
If the DAC is stellar as it seems to be the case with the HDX, or Linn options, the streamer will most likely be used solo.
So basically you have four options. All of which include the necessary DAC in some way or another:
- PC/MAC to an external DAC
- Streamer with supplied internal DAC
- Streamer with an external DAC
- All in one HDX type solution with internal DAC.
I would imagine the demand is equal for both. Although most of us simplify things by mentioning DACs only.
What most here want, that don't own and are not interested in an HDX, is a Naim solution to DACing files stored on a computer HD or NAS. Some of us already have the files, the ability to rip cds, have tons of hard drive space, and are willing to piece together a source for a fraction of the HDX price.
In that case, an external USB DAC would be ideal. If the computer is in another area of the home than the computer, a streaming option is desirable.
Also, to a smaller degree, people have possible sources with digital outputs they could use with an external DAC but not with a streamer.
I personally simply need an External DAC, no need for anything else.
Others want to stream.
And another group wants a one box, guess free, solution, the HDX.
Keep in mind that most streamers do have an internal DAC of varying quality. I am sure they exist, but I have never crossed the path of a streamer without analog output.
Depending on the quality of the DAC inside, a streamer may often be used with a separate external DAC, as is the case with a Sonos, SB, or Apple option.
If the DAC is stellar as it seems to be the case with the HDX, or Linn options, the streamer will most likely be used solo.
So basically you have four options. All of which include the necessary DAC in some way or another:
- PC/MAC to an external DAC
- Streamer with supplied internal DAC
- Streamer with an external DAC
- All in one HDX type solution with internal DAC.