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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
dynamic_driven
23 posts
 
Also, why not just take your old SACD player to the cabin? Bring the CDs too. 
Then the CD playing ritual can be enjoyed at the cabin. 
Once you get into streaming with a proper high end unit, you won’t use your CDs because the SQ will compare with your current setup while the experience of streaming is WAY more enjoyable than CD. Instead you might find the itch for vinyl (I did:)
sdl4
210 posts
 
I would add another vote for the Innuos Zen Mini with the free Innuos 2.0 software and the Innuos Sense app. (The linear power supply can be added when additional funds are available.) 
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
jbuhl's avatar
jbuhl
976 posts
 
The Teac is a good suggestion as well as a Raspberry pi.  There is a Bryston BDP pi over on usaudiomart for $700 (With an LPS) but you will need an external DAC But you can get a good used one for $700.  You can pair the Bryston with a off the shelf DVD player and burn you own CDs to an external drive which is a nice feature. Needs a hard wired network though and many people poo pooh the Manic Moose interface.   Album art displays on a Browser (PC,iPAD...) the SQ is good on that unit and its built solid. Note:  Bryston has discontinued the Pi but their support is still good.  It can also be a ROONs endpoint  and if you like album art you will be blown away by ROONs interface and music immersion.  But gonna need more $$ for that.
vinylshadow
490 posts
 
I’m using a Node 2i(with Qobuz through BluOs) but what kicked performance up many notches was replacing the stock Power Supply Interface(and figure 8 power cord/stock power supply) with a PD Creative PSU interface upgrade and an SBooster LPS. And I use a Vertere Acoustics Redline power cable.
All going through a Canare LV-61S 75 ohm dig coax(soon to be changed to a Townshend digital cable with NPS-1260 contact enhancer) into a Classe SSP-800 DAC(through Model 12 monoblocks/Mezzo Utopia’s).

I was listening to Miles Davis Ascenseur pour l’echafaud last night on the Node and Mile’s trumpet pierced right through my ears with incredible depth and leading edge. The Node can be an excellent streamer. Is there better. Undoubtedly. But how much $ to jump significant levels I would like to know; maybe to be considered. But the Node with upgrades($500 cost) performs way over its $500 price point.
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