DAC or not? Stream pandora through Roku 3 which is connected to Panny Plasma

[Yankee Boy]

Not certain if a separate DAC will help: Listen to Pandora, via Roku 3 connected to Panny Plasma; Lenovo laptop; 25 year Adcom amp, preamp; B & W speakers.

 

[Cosmic Char]

I think the first question is, what is performing your current DAC function? Based on your setup, I assume your laptop is performing this function. So, a separate DAC to "help listen to..." Will depend on 2 factors. 1. What is the quality of the data stream, and 2. What is the quality of DAC in each individual component? I am unaware of the quality of your data stream, but I would assume it is somewhat less than a wired connection. Also, what is performing DAC in your laptop? It is likely a combination of hardware and software. A dedicated hardware solution can improve the quality of the music, but this will also depend on the input data quality. Pandora uses ACC+, which is a lossy format. Some DAC's can help or slightly improve the audio, but it's like 4K up scaling. If the signal wasn't there, it has to be manufactured or made up or created to fill in the gaps or holes. I would say, don't waste your money, but others may have different opinions.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Unless you hear hiss and crackling when NO music is playing I'd leave the DAC alone and focus on a single component which is responsible for over 90% of total sound quality - your speakers.

May I provide a guess. that your B&W speakers are not 800 Diamond series?
Honestly,imo B&W does make some decent speakers, just not for everyone. My theory is their particularly sound signature is more agreeable with a bit more senior population, which strangely enough have issues hearing higher sound range due to normal age hearing loss.
I prefer speakers which play flat or neutral sound. It's also more accurate representation of actual recording

 

[j_garcia]

No, a DAC will not help Pandora, or any other streaming service. Garbage in, garbage out. What other sources have you tried or do you have? How do they compare?

 

[Yankee Boy]

Thank you all. You are educating me, most appreciated. Lately just streaming Pandora, My speakers are 12 year old 602 S 2; and yes my hearing has suffered as I age, need a treble emphasis. I will examine my laptop for the dac in there, but, it seems to me a separate DAC would have little if any effect.
Thank you all again for helping.