Hi. If I open a FLAC file from my laptop or stream one, and configure Audacity to make a direct recording, does Audacity record in Native - ie FLAC format, or is the file modified in some by passing through the DAC electronics in the laptop?
File formatting only works when you’re a file. The instant you stream, the sound takes the restrictions of the stream.
We should remember that compressed formats do not lose their compression damage when you stream. Your ratty MP3 is always going to sound like a ratty MP3, even if you capture it and save it as a perfect quality WAV.
What’s the goal? I can’t think of a reason you would want to stream from your computer to your computer.
Koz