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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
elangley01
93 posts
 
I just setup a raspberry pi 4 with picoreplayer and LMS and it’s great. LMS has a Qobuz plugin that works well. I control it using iPeng on my phone. 
No need for a hat just get any basic kit and run USB to your DAC of choice.

This is the kit I got which appears to be sold out at the moment but you can find these elsewhere I’m sure:
https://chicagodist.com/products/raspberry-pi-4-model-b-2gb-kits?variant=32197889753167&gclid=Cj...
The picoreplayer website walks you through how to setup the player with LMS. 


elangley01
93 posts
 
Also you don’t need to spend a ton of $$ on a DAC. The Schiit Modi 3+ measures well and sounds great. Will stream as high res as Qobuz pushes to it.

I advise Qobuz over Tidal, no need for a special MQA DAC.
schmitty1
46 posts
 
First do you like the sound of your marantz. If so use it’s DAC. It has inputs just for that purpose. I have the node 2i and I connected it to my audiolab DAC sounds great. Get yourself a good streaming service and enjoy the music. 
bluorion
438 posts
 
I have the Marantz ND8006 CD/Streamer ($1300) which I use for Spotify Connect. I use it with my Luxman 505UXii integrated amp. It plays through my WiFi and it sounds great. I have a lot of CDs as well so I can still use the 8006 if I want to play an old CD. Check it out--good luck!
rtrlover's avatar
rtrlover
35 posts
 
I too use a Bluesound Node 2i on my high resolution system.  Love it, simple to use and purchased a separate small tablet dedicated to the music room so anyone can pick it up and not have to use my phone, or their phone.  Album art is close and in my hands, not on some small screen 6-10 feet away.
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