Best streamer for a returning audio guy

there were many posts, still I think that the simples solution has not been mentioned yet: Chromecast audio media like this one, 

@petar3 

Will this devise send wifi signal to my Denon X3700H, which has wifi receiving capability, I think. Quboz to Denon via Bluetooth is far inferior than Tidal utilizing HDMI via wifi/Apple TV. This could be a slick solution if I’m understanding this product correctly 

Whatever you decide (or have decided--have not read to the end of this thread) to do, DO NOT SELL YOUR VINYL! EVER. You have 1500, and therefore a good investment of titles that probably fetch over $30 each today. And while vinyl may one day be equalled by digitial, it will probably never be surpassed. It will always be a venue where some tracks "just sound better" to YOUR ears (and the same will hold true for digital).

If you have merely 20 LPs, then that’s a different ballgame, making a hefty investment in vinyl debatable.

If I were you and had 1500 LPs, I would have BOTH a superb turntable AND DAC/Streamer. Just skip a year or two going to Europe. Or sell that third condo. You know? ;)

Some have suggested a "vinyl-centric" system for you. Yes, a great path. But I've been bitten by the convenience of streaming and the gap between digital and analogy (vinyl) is getting so close that the enjoyment begins to fade every time you have to get up off your ars and change an album just because you only want to hear a few tracks.

Again--DO BOTH. Without compromise. My two cents.

I don’t intend to sell my vinyl collection. Many of the lp’s are no longer available and can’t be replaced. I have an extensive collection of mobile fidelity masters, direct to disc, gayle and more. Many of them are still factory sealed. My local hi fi dealer was shocked when I told him what I have. He wanted to buy(trade) for some of them. 
 When I was in college and worked in a hi fi store selling and installing equipment. After getting paid,My first stop was the record store. Bought everything I could afford. Didn’t have a tv at that time, so we listened to music. My collection could be considered quite eccentric. From original frank sanatra 78’s, to classical, to Michael Jackson. I have 3 copies of “thriller” , 2 factory sealed still!! 
  All were stored properly, those that were opened have rice paper sleeves. All have been stored in wood crates vertically for as long as I have had them. I will say moving them has been a real pain. But, it has been worth it. 
  I have a decent turntable at this point, a great cd transport, and just gota bifrost last weekend. I’m looking for a reasonable deal on a bluesound node, or audio lab 6000n in the future.

 My house is under renovation and I can’t enjoy my system as I would like to. Living out of the living room stinks. However, my wife is enjoying watching tv in bed!!!! Hopefully, soon all that will be done. I’ll post pictures of my humble system then. Thanks for the kind words , it’s appreciated. Twodogs112.

Twodogs,

I too am on the Bluesound Node bandwagon, but get the newest version 3 model (back to just being called Node). As was mentioned previously, it is quite an upgrade from the Node 2i: faster processor (1.8GHz vs 1 GHz), better on board DAC (32 bit/384 KHz vs 32 bit/192KHz), and USB out which the Node 2i does not. Do replace the power cable, I use Pangea and Cullen cables for the Nodes.....but cheaper ones can also work

The best bang for the dollar is the Blusound Node 2i. Sounds great through a Shiit Biftost DAC. The Bluesound is a bit harsh with no  external quality DAC. 

Anyways.I too looked at the Blusound Node for my McIntosh system. I would bypass the internal DAC on the Blusound by using digital out into the MX123 and use the the DACS in the McIntosh.

My logic is, why pay a arm and a leg for a streamer when I am not using it’s DACS? Will I hear a difference? Maybe if I buy one that has better DACS then the Mac.

I’ve been using the AIrPlay on the Mac but it will only offer me CD quality. I thought I was getting better( HI-Res) but I understand I am not, even with Qobuz. The MX123 has its own internal streamer but I am looking to hard wire a streamer to the MX123.

I too am a old timer with still much to learn, but thats half the fun.

Just an update, I’m looking for a Bluesound node at a reasonable price used. Other option is audiolab 6000n. I found out that my wife’s Apple TV can stream tidal and Spotify and apple tunes. I have been playing around with this. I haven’t subscribed to any service yet. 
  Also I just found out that our internet service provider will no longer support our current contract subscription. They forced me to change out the wiring to optical this morning. We had no tv, internet, etc yesterday at all. Not very happy about it. We were told that our provider was going to go all streaming in the future (to save the customers $). I don’t know how that will affect streaming audio yet. 
  Renovations are proceeding in my home and now I can see the stereo!!! Hope they will be done soon. Thanks all. Twodogs112.

op

node 2i for sale

node ’3’ - current one

good luck... 

Sorry you were forced to change wiring. I hope it was not too expensive. I live in Europe and some things may be a bit different here but we choose to get fiber into our house a couple of years ago. I was thinking the next step would be network cables (TP-cables) around the house to everything and maybe some wifi router for phones and other things.

I ended up using wifi everywhere, it was good enough (a mesh network) for streaming video and audio. My system is not very high end so I have not tried if the sound would get better if I start using cables from the router instead of the wifi but I guess it is not the most important thing. Try to find a solution that works for you and then see if you want to try to optimize anything. A network cable should be better but if it is worth it is up to you. The fiber should be fast enough for anything you want to do unless they have kept the speed low on purpose for some reason. Our connection to the house is 1Gb/s (or about 1000 Mb/s) but I usually get a bit lower than that.

To all who helped me. Thanks. I’m finally streaming. Got a hold of a Bluesound node2 with the power upgrade and after a great deal of cursing and rewiring. I got it up and running. Sounds great thru my bifrost Dac. Trying out with the Amazon music for now( free trial) that I already had access to. Will be moving on to tidal or Spotify when trial is over. Excited to play, now I just have to convince the wife. 
  Tomorrow, on to installing the new dog door. Still under renovations, and only one bathroom operational. Contractor said vanity top might be installed this week( only took a month to make). Heard that before. 
  Again, thanks all.

Congratulations. Give the free month of Qobuz a try. A superior streaming service.

I am considering the Mac MS500 streamer and wonder if anyone on the forum has compared it to other currant streamers?

Cambridge Audio streamers are very highly regarded and reasonably affordable.  Has worked out very well of late for me, a 15 year streaming veteran. 

Thanks for the suggestions. Qobuz is on the list to try. The Cambridge streamer was under consideration, but for a first was a little out of the budget. I liked the display and features very much. Perhaps for the replacement when the itch happens again. As it always happens. 
  Now for my next audio project ( after I install the new dog door) will be to set up all(well almost all) my older speakers to see what I want to keep and what to let go. I realized last night that I have way to many taking up way to much space. For example, I have 4 pairs of electrostatic speakers in storage!! Funny suggestion on the Martin Logan’s forum was to hook them all up to see what it sounds like!!! Anyway, thanks for the suggestions. I’ll enjoy my node for now. Twodogs112, and I have two dogs. A westie and a one eyed beagle, not to mention the bird, cat, and fish tanks. It’s a zoo here!!!

Oh, I forgot to mention, I have to get back to my second hobby. Working on older and classic cars. I’m restoring (for the second time) a 69 mg midget, and a 08 Saab 9-5.  Also on my wife’s 02 Mini Cooper.  I need a bigger garage!!!  Anyone out there have a mg? Love to talk. Thanks. 

Another +1 for Qobuz

Had a 58 Morris Garages Model A w/ wire wheels. Also had most of the usual problems. The worst was when a banjo bolt departed one of the dash pots and I was over a hundred miles out. I digress. 
 

Funny now, not then. I once had the right front wheel break off while driving home from work!!! 69 mgb. I had no brakes, but I found that if I leaned over to the left it balanced out the car so I could drive on 3 wheels. Got home and found out wheel bearings died. That car was fun while it lasted! Lesson learned. 
 I’ll look at qobuz. Thanks. 

Another +1 for Bluesound Node and Qobuz. I have both Qobuz and Tidal, and for most stuff prefer Qobuz. Luckily they both offer free trials, sometimes for a month or three. Try both and stick with the one you like. The Node is also Roon ready, which is important to me as I love Roon (though it is a separate charge, but the interface is really nice)

I would recommend to start with Blue Sound as they have excellent and easy UI app. Sound pretty decent as well. Small footprint, as well. If you own CDs, you can go for the Vault series to rip them.

If you want all in one with variety of streaming services, Hifi-Rose is an excellent choice, comes with an excellent esthetic as well. But they do have specific sound characteristics. So I advise you listen to it first before the final commitment.

If you want something higher-end, Aurender, Innuos and Antipodes would be a great choice given you have a decent DAC. If you want an DAC integrated one, Aurender A-series are the great products as the series also offers pre-amp function with it. Headphone output is a bonus.