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What's needed to Steam Tidal

Is there anything other than a MacBook need to get the best sound from Tidal? I recently purchased an AudioWhen Coffee 3m USB cable to run from my MacBook to Ayre Codex DAC. I am just streaming music from Tidal. Prior to the cable purchase I would stream using an Audioquest Vodka optical from my Bluesound Vault. Comparing the two, the sound coming from the Bluesound blows away the MacBook. The soundstage is wide, there's more detail, clearer etc.  Do I need any special software or something or just stick to the sure thing?
luvrockin
stfoth
435 posts
 
Just obviously a typo, and I don’t think Agon allows for editing the thread title, BUT I just laughed out loud, by myself, like a nutjob, so big +1.

Oxford comma? Yes, or no?
david_ten
2,509 posts
 
Yes, it doesn't. Comma properly applied???

In this case, thankfully for some laughs!
david_ten
2,509 posts
 
@luvrockin   I'm actually happy for the typo. Much more fun. Please don't take it personally, it isn't meant that way.
stfoth
435 posts
 
Ha!  Too, funny.  :)


I'd go with the Bluesound into the Ayre.
david_ten
2,509 posts
 
If you want to improve on your USB based sound, then I would start with something like the Uptone Regen or ISO Regen. There are other options as well. W4S. SOtM, etc. etc. etc. This would be from your MacBook. And you will be able to A/B vs the Bluesound via Optical.

If you like the results, then I highly recommend going Tidal via Roon, into a Roon Endpoint. I use the Sonore microRendu. Sonore has just released the UltraRendu. There are also options from SOtM and others.
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