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Best streamer for a returning audio guy

Hello, hope you all can help. My question is what is the most reasonable streamer to try in my system to see if it works for me? 
  A little background is in order . I’m an older gentleman, who was into audio years ago. I’m currently rebuilding my system with newer technology. I have significant older components. Such as Adcom separates, ( not currently using), Yamaha reciever rxa 2000 as a preamp, Rotel amp driving center speaker and rears, crown class d driving main speakers, I have many speaker choices. Currently using Kef 105/2 as mains ( have Martin Logan’s as well) , Martin logan cinema as center, Martin Logan’s a rear surround. All interconnects and speaker wires are morrow audio. 
 I am / was old school with over 1500 vinyl album’s from years of collecting. About 100 cds. One interesting note, this rebirth of my interest in audio came with my wife giving me a turntable for Christmas several years ago. Finally joked it up and after 30 years I was hooked again!!!

  On to my question, it appears that almost everyone is now streaming their music. Ok, I understand the concept ( have Sirius in the car) . What is the best unit to try this out. Can’t break the bank, used is ok, actually preferred. Any outlet advice would be appreciated. 
  I’m working to eventually get to the level of most of you. I have visited my local real hi fi store and have heard the”great” components and eventually I’ll get there. Thanks, and looking forward to your replies. Twodogs112.

128x128twodogs112

Showing 2 responses by soix

soix
8,809 posts
 

I’m also in the market for a budget yet still very good streamer and have done quite a bit of research, and the best option I’ve found considering performance, cost, and ease of setup/use is the iFi Zen Stream that retails for $399, but there are new units available from an authorized dealer for $325 that makes its value even more attractive. As others have said you can use the DAC in your Yammy to get started, but you’ll get much better results by upgrading to a better standalone DAC. Another component that should be at the top of your upgrade priorities is a dedicated stereo preamp as the pre section of mass market AVRs are huge bottlenecks in a system and are a death sentence to achieving good 2-channel performance. Just my $0.02 FWIW, and congrats on your return to this awesome hobby and have fun rebuilding your system.

(p.s. The audio gene never dies — it just lies dormant until something, like an awesome wife!!!, reawakens it.)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/265670303159

soix
8,809 posts
 

And I’ve also read and heard plenty of opinions that streaming anything more than CD quality doesn’t result in much improvement to SQ.

I’d like to know where you heard/read that because I couldn’t disagree more. Switching back and forth between high-res and CD quality recordings on Qobuz (I had Tidal and much prefer Qobuz that avoids the overly intrusive and limiting MQA BS and all its unfolding crap) reveals the high-res versions to be much more refined with better tonality and much less edgy or brittle sounding. Put another way, high-res just sounds less “digital” in all the good ways. Just my experience FWIW.

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