Yeah, I did some reading after posting this. Ridiculous how hard it is to use apple as a source. I’m not attached to it but just made the bad assumption there would be a straightforward way of feeding it to an amp.
if I remove the apple assumptuon, what’s a good way to get a full catalogs fed to a. Amp? Again, without spending 5000$ to do it?
Apple lossless as a source
I want to play Apple music as a source from either PC or iPhone (or whatever).
Background:
I am rebuilding my system to get back to music. I have several good but older components. I don't want to spend 5000$, lol
What I have:
NAD 2200 Power amp- continuous 100 watts at 8 ohms. Its dynamic headroom is rated at 6 dB, which means that it can deliver—in 20-millisecond bursts, twice per second—400 watts per channel to 8 ohms, 600 watts to 4 ohms, and 800 watts to 2-ohm loads.
Totem Tabu speakers- Basically upgraded Totem Model 1. Somewhere between a Forest and Forest Signature - very nice speakers that would be in the 5k range today.
I've been out of the audiophile stuff for many years (prior to all the digital stuff). Basically, I want to figure out how to get from Apple Music to the amp in a cost-effective way with the best quality. I am fairly technical but just haven't kept up with all the digital audio stuff.
Showing 8 responses by moverton99
@vonhelmholtz I looked for where to post my system details but can't find it. Menu under profile says "virtual systems" but it throws an error: "Sorry, that user doesn't exist". |
Thanks for the help. I contacted Bluesound about the Node X to see if it can stream from PC or iPhone in Hi Res. Will update when I hear back. "If you have a component that accepts Bluetooth, AirPlay, or Google Chromecast, then you can send Apple Music wirelessly to that component" I don't think Airplay supports hi res.
Does anyone actually have a setup with PC -> DOC/Preamp -> amp with Apple Music?
|
This whole thing reminds me of 4k tv. No normal person can get 4k all the way from the service to the tv without a doctorate in gadgetology. Luckily I'm semi retired and have time for all this. I got a subscription to Qobuz and will try that out. Of course, when I tried to bring over a playlist from apple I had to go through some third-party app that wanted me to subscribe to the premium version or it wouldn't move more that 200 songs. :-( Rebuilding my 650 song playlist will be a project. Qobuz should build a converter from other services in to make it easier to switch. I'd prefer to keep the streamer and DAC/preamp separate. I think the streamer will be obsolete long before the DAC. Preamps never die. |
@mahler123 I haven’t switch. Just took the trial to understand what it’s like. Would much rather just keep Apple Music and have a good solution. I may try to chromecast option. I just wish o could pull out my phone, switch the source to apple, and play great music. I could dedicate an android table to the controller. Wouldn’t be that inconvenient. |
@mahler123 which Cambridge streamer? CXN100? |
I decided to replace the receiver and add an integrated amp with streaming built in. Video Source: Firestick 4k -> TV: Sony X90CL -> Receiver: YAMAHA RX-A2A AVENTAGE -> Center + Surround speakers Pre-outs -> Integrated amp: Hegel H120 -> Main Speakers: Totem Wind The Hegal can supply the streaming from Qubuz or Tidal. Airplay is limited to lossless 16-bit/44.1kHz. I’ll test Apple vs Qubuz/Tidal to see if I can actually hear the difference and switch as needed. Reviews of the Hagel say it has pretty good DAC, Preamp, Amp. Should be plenty to drive the Totems at any volume I listen to.
Some context that wasn’t in this post (it’s kind of hard to get the whole situation in one forum post). My Totem Tabu’s have a blown driver at high volume/low frequency. So I wanted to replace those. Found a pair of Totem Wind’s for a good price. This meant I needed more amp power so I posted another post about that issue. Emphasis-on-stereo-but-need-a-complete-solution @soix made me realize I could replace the receiver and use the pre-outs to a good streamer integrated amp. The Hagel overcame my resistance to combining power amp and doc/preamp. Whole thing (without the Totems is $2575). I’ll report back once I have everything setup.
|
One change, I accidently swapped the Hagel fH190 for the H120. Luckily @soix pointed it out and I just swapped it for the H190 with the store. Total cost is now $3275. |