Best streamer for a returning audio guy

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.

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)

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 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. 
 

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. 

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!!!

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

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

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

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.

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.

op

node 2i for sale

node ’3’ - current one

good luck... 

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.

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.

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. 

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

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.

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.

@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 

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

To all who choose to be hostile towards me for asking a simple question. Read the question!!!! Don’t try to sell me your idea of what you have. I did not say I couldn’t AFFORD a blue note, nor was I soliciting upgrades to my electronics. I don’t think I want to start with a $4000 streamer. I came here looking for advice , not disrespect. 
 Thanks to those who provided helpful advice. 

Finally, I’ll play with Apple TV today. Also the suggestion about the laptop and Dac combination might work for a trial. My asus rig laptop has a great audio card. My schist bifrost should be here today, replacing my pop pulse Dac. Great suggestions, thanks all. 

I can absolutely confirm above mentioned strategy using 2systems equally to be covered playing HT and music in their best quality.

I am using this strategy and can add bass to the 2CH-music only as I wish.

Fantastic combo.

To comment for the topic of this tread here:

Buy an Antipodes‘ K50 Server-streamer. 

You will not find better (SA)CD-Player quality.

It comes with the most advanced streamer technology (2PC gear and much munch more). And Antipodes has an remarkable after sales service. As well as it is updating their models a couple of years only. So, you will be up to date for quite while.

I ripped my entire collection (approx 5000albums) and am the happiest man on earth.

Best

I can absolutely confirm above mentioned strategy using 2systems equally to be covered playing HT and music in their best quality.

I am using this strategy and can add bass to music only as I wish.

Fantastic combo.

To comment for the topic of this tread here:

Buy an Antipodes‘ K50 Server-streamer. 

You will not find better (SA)CD-Player quality.

It comes with the most advanced streamer technology (2PC gear and much munch more).

I ripped my entire collection (approx 5000albums) and am the happiest man on earth.

Best

Not sure my the OP went off on @ghdprentice , who I add my thumb up to as a Good Guy, but I am puzzled at some of of his other statements, such as he can’t afford a Bluesound Node as an entry level component while he brags to @cleeds about his Rolex collection.  He doesn’t seem cash strapped.  Clearly he could sell off one Rolex and probably have something finer than the Node2.  I think it would be worth doing without one watch to have the ability to listen to virtually all of recorded music in existence in really good sound, and the OP background with music suggests that he would value good sound.  
  I have auditioned a few streamers in the $100-$200 range and compared to the Node they sound clearly, audibly inferior.  I am not saying that the Node is the Holy Grail of Hi Fi, but I do believe that represents the floor for High End streaming. It does high resolution, MQA, every streaming service under the sun. For the ceiling, read all the other threads here. 
  We can afford what we value.  Unless you are a Plutocrat this involves trade offs.  It might involve owning one less Rolex to gain the joy of well reproduced music.

what the OP shouldn’t expect the joy of ownership from a Timex sold at Walmart to be equivalent to one of his pieces of fine craftsmanship.  Nor should he expect high end audio performance at transitor radio prices

Actually, Tidal is available on Apple TV, but Qobuz isn’t.

Why hasn’t anybody figured out that @twodogs112 is already streaming. He even gave us a clue, TWICE.

“ Funny note, I just discovered Apple has music on my wife’s Apple TV!!! Who knew? Thanks.”

If he hasn’t figured it out already, he can stream Tidal, or whatever, and he’s got instant access to HD streaming and it won’t cost him anything!

@twodogs112 'My question is what is the most reasonable streamer to try in my system to see if it works for me?' 

'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.'

Your Story of your History and return to using a HiFi System is a welcome one.

The requests you have made and as shown above is where I am at, I have kept an open mind on all options and have read through threads covering the Subject of Streaming and all the different directions a thread can head off in on this subject.    There is a wide variety of views on the subject, I have been working out where it would be best for myself to commence with a Streaming Source to be used with the DAC I have for a CDT Source.

The Link is a thread from this forum, that might be worthwhile to read, it may fit in with the second and third of your above requests.

@mwinkc ' I'm an audiophile from the early 70's with several hundred LP's and only 100 CD's. Before I started streaming my listening was 85% vinyl 10% CD and 5% Bluetooth.  Now, it's 75% streaming 5% CD and 20% vinyl. When I want the best music quality, it's vinyl. But the insane quantity of available music, great sound quality and ease of managing the several thousand tracks on albums and playlists make streaming an unbeatable choice, much of the time. 

Enjoy your journey and discoveries.'

Your above description is very appealing, and especially hits a note, as I really enjoy music and have had a secondary interest in the equipment to be used to get the best out of replaying vinyl. The recent introduction of a CD Source has had quite an impact, I am now listening to music not owned as a Vinyl LP Album and have also listened to both Sources using the same Albums, and know for sure that either can be very satisfying in use.

I am looking to further reduce the focus on the Vinyl Source and the required ancillaries to keep it at its best, the idea of extending a Cart's usage life through less plays is quite attractive. To have the option on the convenience of Streaming, albeit, from stored FLAC Files or from a Network Streamed Information, along with the vast selection of music is very appealing.

I could easily see myself putting in place a rebalance across the system in relation to the use of the Sources, and your description of this would be a very interesting outcome for myself. My Wife who is an audiophile in the sense that really enjoys listening to music, was active in participation when the building of the system was being undertaken, she owns approx' 50% of the Vinyl Collection and 20% of the CD Collection, now she maybe only listens to the system for a few hours a year now as she has the use of Alexia to present all her listening experiences she wishes to share in.

I am reassuring my wife that a Streaming System set up correctly should supersede the use of Alexia, but we'll see, it is her most go to gadget beyond the phone.       

@bobd207s , I have the PT100, older model and love the option of using bluetooth or USB. An excellent buy for the price.

I'm quite impressed with so many recommendations. I just use my CD player with a USB to the laptop or the Schiit Modi3 to the Laptop.  Its so much easier for me to choose music from Amazon Music/Tidal/MP3 files.  I think I would be lost to try and hook up a streamer, nome the less know how to use one. 

I like you am an old stereo guy updating my 2 channel system. You mentioned that you are also looking for a new pre-amp so I thought I'd mention that I added a Emotiva BasX PT1 Stereo PreAmp to my system a couple months ago and couldn't be happier.

Firstly, I am a relative newcomer to this forum, just trying to get a bit of diversity in my audio discussion. Not surprised and perhaps a little disappointed to see there’s the same argy-bargy here as many other places.

Back on topic, I dipped into streaming a couple of years ago, after many years of mucking around with hi-rez digital files on computers and pro-sumer ADC/DACs. I am adding to a pretty good analog system, but I thought I might start modestly and also considered the Bluesound, but quickly went to considering others such as the Cambridge, then other products such as entry level Auralic and Lumin, pondered the Auralic Altair G1, to cut a long story short, ended up with three boxes at the Auralic G2.1 level, which has been very satisfying, but that’s just me wanting to get a really good outcome, which for me is equal to and often superior to analog. 
if you want to dip your toes into streaming, by all means, go the Bluesound and see what it gives to you, I just wanted a “no regrets” outcome.

2psyop +1 - except don't use a Cat 5 cable; use a Cat 7 or 8 cable.  They are very cheap.

Do you by chance use a Roku device for your television?  If so, you can stream music through the Roku using Spotify.  My Roku is 2016 variety with optical audio output to preamp.  Fairly simple setup, you control Spotify on the Roku using your Spotify ap on the iphone, long as it's connected to the same network.  Easy Google search to set this up.

After that "free" intro to streaming I moved up to a previously-loved ebay Bluesound Node.  Prefer my turntable with a good LP, but honestly I like the Bluesound about as good as my CD player (and the music choices are endless).  

I have old amps and speakers, be interesting to see if I can hear the difference from a Bluesound to the next step up.  

My recommendation is as follows:

1) old Mac mini or MacBook Pro with optical out

2) project dac box s2+
3) ifi elite power supply

4) wire world (or other equal) optical cable

I much prefer optical because of low noise (vs usb) but it does limit you on high resolution files. 
 

this setup is cheaper than the qutest and has some better qualities. 
overall the qutest is better dac but this setup covers the streamer as well and will cost 2/3 of the price of the qutest. 
 

the ifi elite power supply is really nice takes the dac box s2+ to another level. 

Elite power supply gives some improvement to the qutest as well.

Bluesound is supposed to be very well regarded at a fair price.  I am waiting for their update to the Vault 2i and I like to rip all my CDs too.  I use Amazon Music as my streaming service which means having streamers that work with Amazon Music natively (to get highest resolution playback possible) is challenging. Qobuz, Tidal etc are everywhere.  

I've seen streamers north of $18K price points and just scratch my head...  

Cambridge CXNV2 is excellent 

have one 3 yrs easy to use and great sound

v easy to hit firmware updates 

I concur with Bluesound. Nothing in the industry comes close to the value and the interface is the best in the business.

I'm another one for the Bluesound Node.  Simply the best price:performance ratio along with the best UX for any streamer.  I've owned both the Node 2i and the current Node and I've been extremely happy with them.  Buy a good power cable and RCA cables and it's a great sounding streamer.   

You can go up from there but it's hard to find things that are really worth the price increase.  I've owned the CXN at 2x the cost and it's a great streamer, but the lack of native Roon support caused me to return it to buy the newest Node.  At 4x the cost, the NAD option is pretty good.  Same UX as it uses the BluOS, but it's not any better sounding then the CXN at less the cost.  The Arcam also falls into the category of costing more then the CXN with not as good SQ.  The Lumin D2 is excellent at 5x the cost of the Node, and is where I'd upgrade to as you're not sacrificing anything but it's a huge price jump.  The HiFi Rose streamers are also good sounding, but very glitchy at a high price.  The Simaudio Moon 280d is amazing, but very expensive and the UX isn't as good unless you're running Roon.  

Personally, my reference system runs the Moon 280d and my secondary system is running the current Bluesound Node.  I'm very happy with both units, but if I do upgrade the next thing will be going from the Node to a Lumin D2.  

The most expeditious and lowest cost way to get into streaming is to use a laptop PC and a USB DAC or USB audio interface.   The very most low cost unit is only $25 from Sweetwater.   The sound quality is equal to your typical consumer grade CD player.  This $25 device, along with one of your laptop PCs and you're good to go.

There are better quality DAC devices out there, but they cost more of course.  If you've got the budget, get one of those.  None of the music streamers will have a user interface as good as that which you'll have on a laptop PC.   The built-in Windows Media Center does a decent job.  Many people will drop about $50 or so for the JRiver media manager.     I'm a retired Linux engineer and only run Linux at home, so I run JRiver on a laptop running Linux.  I paid all of $200 for the laptop off of Craigslist.   Sound quality is every bit as good as any streamer and is solely determined by the DAC I run.  There are many good ones out there for $500 or less.  The Behringer I pointed you at is adequate and cheap.  If you like the sound quality you get from your CD player, then the Behringer will match that.

Perhaps it is just me I too have been in this hobby (?) for a long time 1968 to be exact. Unfortunately lost my vinyl in a flood.   That said  I have tested a bunch of low end streamers many mentioned above in this thread and i find thatto my ears  in my multiple higher end systems, they sound worse than going from my apple powerbooks through my separate quality DACs.  If budget is the constraint I would look to enter via the higher end used market or go the compturer to quality DAC route.     There are some used Cary DMS or DMC series streamer out there at a good price since they have recently introduced new models.   Some the older models allow you an output choice through a tube or SS end, depending on the sound you want for certain types of music 

Depending on your budget, I am pretty happy with my Lumin U1 mini with an external linear power supply.  

Hi

Another vote for Blue Sound node. But definitely upgrade the power cord. Made a stunning improvement. I have two of them. Started with just BS Node. Later added Yggy DAC to one. 
I have Tidal and Qobuz. I listen to Qobuz more. Excellent HR selection of music. 
enjoy.

joe

barts +1.  

Why not try something like this? Affordable, and the performance may surprise you. All you need is a Raspberry Pi, the DAC board and a case of some sort is helpful.  You can get into it for about $200 and rival units at multiples of that cost.

Blue sound node now has usb Output  which is the preferred input method for my dac.   Have run ultra rendu for a year now for qobuz/roon and have no appreciable difference with 2000 units.  Small unit with power supply seems expensive compared to larger competition.   Assume the money goes into the circuit design and parts and not on the case

Surprised no one has suggested the AudioLab 6000N. I have one and feel the sound quality is brilliant, and its not expensive. Wonderful DAC in it.

If you just want to get a quick "feel" for streaming, get a bluetooth receiver like the "1Mii Bluetooth 5.0" on Amazon for dirt cheap (under $100) and you can have it tomorrow. Then just bluetooth cast your music from your phone to it hooked up to any analog in on your receiver. I started with one and was great intro to streaming. I've upgraded to the Audiolab 6000N now, but the bluetooth receiver is now hooked up in the garage system to "rock-out" on. 

You are right about Maynard, I worked for a smaller nightclub ( maybe 150 people) doing the board work. Back in those days artists would come and play to get their name and sound out there. We didn’t have big rock concerts then. Oh, to be young again!!!