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Beginner in the Audiophile World – Looking for Streamer & Streaming Service Advice

Hi everyone,

 

First of all, thank you for this amazing community. It’s really encouraging for someone like me—still a total newbie in the audio world—to have a place to learn and ask questions.

 

I’ve recently managed to put together the system below, and I currently use Spotify from my iPhone connected via Bluetooth to my DAC. I know it’s far from ideal, and after reading a bit, I’d really like to explore the potential improvements I could get from using a proper streamer, wired to my DAC.

 

So here’s my main question:

– Which streaming service would you recommend (if Spotify isn’t enough)?

– And which streamer should I consider buying on the used market (Portugal or Spain)?

 

From my research, I’ve found options like the Lumin U1 Mini, Holo Red, and iFi Neo Stream—each seems to have strengths in sound quality, dynamics, and user interface.

I also came across some others like the Volumio Rivo, Pro-Ject Stream Box DS2 T, NP5 Prisma (MK1), and MOON 180 MiND.

 

Some are easier to find used than others here locally, and price is definitely something I need to be mindful of—this hobby is addictive, and I’ve already stretched my budget a bit!

 

My current setup:

 

  • DAC: Topping D90SE
  • Headphone Amp: Topping A90 Discrete
  • Headphones: Audeze LCD-3
  • Tone Control: Schiit Lokius
  • Interconnects: AudioQuest Red River

 

 

Incoming gear:

 

  • Power Amp: Topping LA90 Discrete
  • Speakers: Amphion Argon2 Anniversary Edition (cherry)
  • Speaker Cables: MIT eXP

 

 

Would really appreciate your advice and experiences, especially from anyone who’s made a similar jump from Bluetooth/Spotify to a wired streaming setup.

 

Thanks in advance, looking forward to learning from you all!

andsan76
milpai's avatar
milpai
2,491 posts
 

I am going to suggest a slightly different approach, since I see you might be considering the Holo Red.

You can install HQ Player NAA (Network Audio Adapter) on the Holo Red. Then you can use a PC/Laptop to play PCM/DSD files on it and send it to the Holo via your iPhone. The PC/Laptop can be placed outside the listening room. Qobuz is integrated in the HQ Player. So you will not have to use the Bluetooth and thus improve the sound quality.

Of course, you can use the Holo Red as a streamer and not go through the HQ Player route I suggested, if you are not comfortable. But based on my personal experience, HQ Player improves on the listening experience drastically.

Good luck and I hope you end up with a great sounding system.

jond's avatar
jond
6,045 posts
 

I am a Qobuz user myself and an Auralic fan maybe add their new Aries S1 to your list of streamer options.

andsan76 OP
4 posts
 

Guys… seriously? Wow! Super thanks for all your insights and quick replies — what an amazing community!

I honestly had no idea about Innuos, especially with them being Portuguese — what a miss on my part!

 

@yyzsantabarbara Yeah, I’ve read about the Lumin U2 Mini… but that’s Super Champions League territory, and I’m still playing in the School League here — ha!

 

I’ll definitely dig into all the suggestions you’ve shared.

Thanks again for all the support — truly appreciated!

zlone
895 posts
 

I am a fan of Innuos if you can swing it with your budget. For multiple reasons, the sound is good of course, but the software and support is excellent. My point is, take a look at what people say about the user interface and support of the software, it makes a big difference. 

sfgak
156 posts
 

Like @milpai  I also have the Holo Audio Red, and I have also installed HQPlayer NAA both for better sound quality and also for better stability -- I like the Red hardware but not their default software. 

Be aware that if you install HQPlayer NAA on the Red, it will be compatible only with HQPlayer, meaning that if you want to also use some other source that HQPlayer doesn't natively support (like Spotify), you will either need another streamer or need to cobble together a complicated chain. I do the two-streamer solution (into a Harmony uDDC and thence into a Pontus II), and think it's a worthwhile tradeoff to be able to use HQPlayer NAA on the Red.

Where in Portugal are you? I am in Lisbon about 50% of my time, soon to be 100%.

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