Advice required please! If I am ONLY using Apple Music as my digital content source on an iMac24 to stream via USB to a Chord Qutest DAC (connected to my NAIM amp) is there any sound quality improvements to be had by sending the stream via a Network Streamer (eg Lumin U1 Mini)?
I think with Apple Music the answer is no, as the network player’s won’t add any benefit (Airplay will be worse than hi-res from the Mac). If you were using a network streamer with another hi-res streaming service, then the answer is likely yes, as a dedicated streamer should be a quite system (noise wise) than the Mac.
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Essentially, the answer is no. You need to appreciate that Apple Lossless is only available from an Apple app. Many people believe that Airplay allows high res lossless. It doesn’t.
Using the USB out from a Mac does allow high res lossless. It may well pay to try a USB device like the Innuos Phoenix USB in order to improve SQ.
You could use an Eversolo which has an Apple app and will stream lossless. I doubt it would beat a Mac/Qutest though.
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