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

If in Portugal do as the Portuguese
https://innuos.com/contact/

then look at Qobuz for a streaming service. 

Avoid iFi — no customer support and subpar software, and theStream Box has reliability issues so avoid that too.  I’d also recommend an Innuos streamer for sound quality and its outstanding Sense app and Qobuz or Tidal depending on which music catalog better suits your tastes.  Best of luck. 

I have Tidal and Qobuz streaming services.  They both sound great.  I prefer the sound of Tidal.  There's so many real nice streamers in todays market.  I use the streamer in my very high-end DAC, and it sounds fabulous.  Happy listening.   

Although it gets little respect here, Amazon Ultra HD unlimited is my choice for a source. Assuming it is available in your market. Especially good bargain if you are a current Amazon member. Huge catalogue of music. Apple has also moved to lossless streaming, but I have not tried it. 

I have TIDAL and Qobuz. I think I will drop Qobuz when my yearly subscription is up. I think TIDAL has all the albums that I have tagged on Qobuz. Music discovery on Tidal is better for me than on Qobuz.

I had 3 DACs and 3 streamers.

- Schitt Yggi+ OG + Sonore OpticalRendu ROON ONLY streamer

- Schitt Yggi+ MIB + Sonore OpticalRendu ROON ONLY streamer

- Benchmark DAC3B (sold) + Sonore OpticalRendu ROON ONLY streamer

The OpticalRendu are likely the first streamer to incorporate fibre optical. I noticed the new $8k Infigo (sp?) Audio streamer is only supporting fibre . There is a physical reason for this. Fibre is made of glass, and glass cannot carry the analog noise on the network into your DAC. Ethernet cannot do this.

If the 3 OpticalRendu’s ever fail I will get the new-ish Lumin U2 streamer. I used to own the Lumin X1 DAC/streamer and it was a great streamer, a so-so DAC. The U2 is the streamer part of the X1. The U2 supports fibre in the best way possible by going right into the streamer.

Lumin knows streaming as does Sonore. I have owned both at the same time and compared. They are different sonically and I could live with either one, so I went with the cheaper Sonore.

BTW I used to own the Topping D90SE and the D90LE and it was only a so-so DAC. the Schitt Yggi+’s I own do everything much better than the Topping DACs. 

Roon with Tidal or Qobuz.

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.

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

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!

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. 

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. 

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 . If you use NAA, you can do the same and there is no need for 2 streamers.

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. 

+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.

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.

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 

Hi , I have both Tidal and Qbuz, both are good but I use Tidal more and Siri supports it. I went from a laptop to the Project Stream Box Ultra II, then to the Innuos Pulse Mini with LPS. I use Cardas Clear and Starlight Platinum for usb. The Project was a definite improvement over the laptop. The Innuos Mini was a definite improvement over the Project. I currently run the Pulse Mini to a Schiit Yiggy in my main system. The Project feeds a Cambridge DAC Magic 200M and powers my Audeze LCD’s - with upgraded drivers. The Project has Wi-Fi and a usb port for an external drive, but for streaming Tidal and Qbuz the software’s minimal. Both streamers get internet radio. Radio Paradise and Dot 1 Fm stations sound very good. The Innuos operating software is actually pretty good, both are Roon compatible. I’ve never played with the gear you will be using but if it sounds too dry you might consider a tube DAC. I didn’t see a price point but I’m thinking a Black Ice FX or Geshelli Labs DAC. Happy Hunting , Mike B. 

@andsan76 This and only this imo - MiniDSP SHD Studio

It is a Roon Ready network player with Dirac Live® room correction, miniDSP audio toolbox for subwoofer integration and multiway speakers, Volumio music player, headphone output, 450MHz Sharc DSP processor

Get with the UMIK-2 Mic and the Tripod stand. don't add the Pocket ADC and the RackMount option is up to you

I agree with those saying Roon with Qobuz and/or Tidal. I have a Nucleus and improved power supply, network filter and cables going to a Allnic DAC and it is quite good. The Roon app is a pleasure to use and the companion Roon Arc app lets me access everything I have at home from anywhere in the world with an Internet connection. 

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.

I was unaware of this; this is very cool -- thanks for mentioning it. I just wish it would work for linux (I have Roon and HQPlayer both running on an Ubuntu instance).

I have heard Wiim Ultra/ Qobuz combo ... it's astonishing at the price ...

Read the Darko and Steve Huff reviews:

https://darko.audio/2024/09/this-is-the-best-%F0%9F%98%9C-wiim-ultra-review/

https://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2024/07/19/the-wiim-ultra-review-unreal-hifi-value-for-real/

I use Eversolo DMP A-8 with Qobuz. I’m happy but looking forward to Qobuz connect soon I hope. 

Hi guys,

After reading all your posts (thank you!) and doing a ton of research, I’ve narrowed it down to two options:

• WiiM Ultra (open box) for 300€ — fits my budget
• Eversolo DMP-A6, used for 480€

I’d love to go for something even higher up the ladder, but honestly, that’s over budget right now… mainly because I went a bit crazy (zero regrets!) when I fell in love at first sight with the Amphion Argon2 Cherry. They sound absolutely amazing — clear, tight, and the bass is just right for my room and taste.

Still debating which direction to take — any final thoughts or votes from you guys would be appreciated!

@andsan76 

Spending extra on speakers you love was the right choice to make. It will be easy enough to upgrade your electronics later, at your leisure. 

Of all the suggestions that were made the Holo Red with HQPlayer would have been my pick, but your two finalists are both fine choices. Honestly, go for the one whose features and software you like best because I doubt you’ll hear very significant differences in sound quality between the two. 

But definitely ditch Spotify 😂

@andsan76 I would poll the community about the after purchase support for both your final choices. I can’t speak to the issue myself, but have heard dismal reports from those who purchased based on great reviews, found themselves abandoned without software support or hardware warranty repair services. Sometimes there is a reason items are on the used market. Again, I can’t speak to the specific manufacturers you have chosen, but before you stretch your budget, be sure the units will hold their value (and at least function) for a few years after they find their way to your home. Buying new may give you more options, again, if the product is properly supported. 

So its look like i will try my brothers A&K SR25 Connect with a Audioquest Cinnamon USB-C to USB-B of my D90SE as a streamer, this will be probably till i save a little more😜

And probably Tidal

I’ll recommend what I use after trying all the music services and several streamers.  Qobuz with the Innuos Zen MK3 streamer.  They just discontinued the streamer but available used or others Innuos models available new.  Their Sense app works well with Qobuz and is easy to control from a tablet or phone.  

If you can get Cambridge Audio in Portugal I would explore them.  
  I am rehabbing from knee surgery at the moment in my basement.  I didn’t have a streamer there so I added a Wiim Pro for the grand sum of $100.  I think it would be an excellent way to explore streaming and won’t strain the budget

The WIIM ultra is not a good choice for you. Your gear already does most of its features. Unless you need to look at a small colored screen across the room. Just get a mini or pro. 
Get your streaming up and running, A WIIM product gets you there. Great ui and easy to install. 
After that you can start stashing your nickels away for a Innuos.