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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
2,456 posts
 

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 have installed VB-Audio cable and route that through HQ Player Desktop with great results. It's not complicated at all smiley. If you use NAA, you can do the same and there is no need for 2 streamers.

ronboco
891 posts
 

The node is a great starting point. The user interface is great and it is quite good using it as a streamer only to an external DAC. 

ctromeo87's avatar
ctromeo87
13 posts
 

+1 for Bluesound Node since you have an external DAC. You can find used 2i’s at very reasonable prices (I think I got mine for $300 US three years ago) and they hold up well. Their BlueOS app is pretty usable in my experience.

jcwilson
28 posts
 

I love my Lumin U1 Mini and Lumin U2 and the Holo Audio Red.  All good choices.  But if you want to start at the basic level with a fine piece of equipment, you should also consider the Wiim streamer, which is great value for the money.  I use and enjoy Tidal.

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
4,089 posts
 

I started with a Bluesound Vault 2i back in 2018.  Best thing I ever did .  Opened a world of music and let me find great artists.   

About two years ago ,  I found myself streaming so much I bought an Aurender N200 and put the Vault in my second system.   

I use my small system 75% of the time or more.  I'm always streaming or playing stored music with that thing.  It's playing right now actually.  

Bluesound Nano or WiiM is a good starting point.   I recently heard the WiiM but I am partial to Bluesound.   

Lots of good choices.  

I use Qobuz and Tidal. Both are good 

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