2. digital
  3. 168683-67981

Advice on a streamer

I'm starting to look into a dedicated streamer.  Recently, the CD's have been gathering dust while I hook up an ipad with the headphone jack to the preamp listening to youtube the majority of the time, and I'm ready to upgrade from that.  I have about 300 - 400 CD's that would be nice to rip to a server with some sort of loss-less format.  I'm still on the fence about that...nice to have, but I'm not completely sold on this yet (meaning that I probably won't buy any more CD's, so whatever I rip will be a one time thing (granted a long thing, but whatever)).  So if I sacrifice sound for ripping, then forget it.  I'm also a cheapish bastard that's not willing to drop a ton of money on a streamer. 

My current system is:
Marantz SACD SA8005
Krell KSP 7B (sometimes switched with a Berning TF10)
Mcintosh MC275
B&W 683

I've been looking at Cambridge audio and Cocktail Audio for streamers. I know the Bluesound Vault 2 would do the job, but, for what I've gathered, the sound quality just isn't up to par.  From what I've been reading, I will likely get Qobuz, as it seems to get more positive reviews than the other services.  

My budget is between $1000 - 1500 with some flexibility.  One key component is the WAF...one thing that we both like and feel it would fit in with our system is a small screen on the streamer that displays the album art (I know we should base it on sound and sound alone, but damnit, it's 2021!  I want great sound and good looks!).  That's why I'm leaning toward the Cambridge audio CXV/851N or one of the Cocktail Audio ones.  I do not have a dedicated DAC unit and would prefer not to purchase one.  

Last item to throw out there.  I would to take the streamer (well, more specifically a hard drive with my music on it) to a cabin where I don't have internet access.  Do these/any streamers work well without internet access to see or pull up music from a hard drive on my phone using an app through bluetooth (does that make sense?)

Does anyone have experience or suggestions on the ones I'm looking at or others I haven't suggested?  Thanks!   
jbeckley42

Showing 1 response by dbautista

dbautista
6 posts
 
I had several streamers throughout the years.  I started with the Pioneer N50 10 years ago.  This was a good sounding unit.  Later, I moved to the Heos link hs2, not bad!. Soon after I tried the Sony UHP-H1 and didn't like it.  Currently, I am using the Allo Digione player, Bluesound Node, and the Ifi Zen Stream.  I have used these 3 players with a Rega DAC and/or a Musical Fidelity V90 DAC.  Here is what I heard.  The Allo Digione connected to either dac sound better than the Bluesound Node, not by much but better.  However, In terms of sound quality, the ifi zen stream is a level above the other two. There is more detail, larger soundstage and better separation of the instruments.  Both the Allo Digi one and Bluesound are excellent streamers, much better than the ones I metioned above.  However, the ifi zen stream is a level or two above the rest.  I recommend you get a decent DAC and the ifi zen stream.  The ifi is only $399 US.  I hope this helps.
Thanks
More to discover