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.
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!
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- 31 posts total
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%. |
I have an Aurender and a Mcintosh streamer, both sound great and they each have their strengths and weaknesses. If I was starting out, I'd probably just get a Bluesound Node. The newer models are supposed to be darn good and you'll learn a ton about streaming in general. If and when you want to move up, it would be an easy sale or you could keep for a second system. For the $$ you probably couldn't go wrong. I tried Tridal but use Qobuz now and prefer it by a smidge. |
I have installed VB-Audio cable and route that through HQ Player Desktop with great results. It's not complicated at all |
. If you use NAA, you can do the same and there is no need for 2 streamers.- 31 posts total