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best streamer for Amazon Music HD

Hello,

Newbie here, forgive me if I butcher the lingo.  I'd like to get some opinions on the best streamer compatible with Amazon Music HD.  This is the only streaming service I use.  Ideally I'd like to have a streamer that let's me remotely control Amazon Music from my phone with streamer connected to internet via ethernet. 

Looked at Amazon site and based on their recommendations it was mostly streamers that used DTS Play-Fi, Denon/Marantz HEOS, and beyond that not sure if any other options or how they would work.  Was initially leaning toward the Audiolab 6000N based on reviews and price, but the reviews for DTS Play-Fi were not great.  For one it said it wasn't streaming directly from the internet but rather transferring music from my phone to the streamer, and when I went to the Google app store the reviews are horrible. 

So now thinking either a Denon/Marantz HEOS or Bluesound streamer, but don't quite understand how they would work or how is usability, so any experiences to share would be helpful.  One question I have is with Bluesound would I be controlling streamer with the Amazon Music app or Bluesound app?  

Any feedback from your experiences with these streamers or any recommended Amazon music HD streamers would be greatly appreciated.  Amazon is the only streaming service I use, never tried any other hi-res services and am pretty happy with Amazon so don't care about other streaming services or Roon, hopefully that makes it simpler. 

Recently upgraded from my longtime vintage system Pioneer SX-980 & JBL 4311B to Focal 1038 & Raven Audio Nighthawk. Currently streaming Amazon from my phone directly to my DAC (Topping D50s)  using bluetooth AptX HD.  Only other music source is occasional vinyl which I'm looking to upgrade and will ask for help in another post.

The other option would be to wait it out since Amazon Music is pretty new and see what better streamers come out.  My only real complaints with my current bluetooth method are that HD music sometimes cuts out due to slow connection when playing HD or UHD, I can't play music and take videos of the kids at the same time, and the desire to improve sound quality.

Thanks in advance.


arnoldo
mwatsme's avatar
mwatsme
187 posts
 
Answering your question about creating Amazon playlists in BluOS app.

You can access Amazon playlists - that were created in Amazon Music.
You cannot create/delete or modify Amazon playlists from within BluOS app.

Here's what I do... If I want to create/delete/modify an Amazon playlist, open Amazon Music app and make the change there. Go back to BluOS, and you will see the change has been made.
Here is a typical example: I'm using BluOS to listen to an Amazon station "Modern Folk", and hear a track that I want to add to a playlist. Open Amazon Music app, search for the track, add it to the Amazon playlist. Bring up the playlist in BluOS, and the track will be there.
Is this ideal? No, but it works.
liviu
2 posts
 
I found the topic thread during my regular check for a good streamer for Amazon Music HD. So I couldn’t resist to jump in.

I am a fun of Amazon Music HD, mainly due to extensive music content HD/UHD.

My experience with BluOS + Amazon HD was disappointing. Check here:
https://support1.bluesound.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/360037587193-Amazon-music-support-roadmap. I would be interested if Denon app, HEOS, can manage big (> 10000 songs) list of Albums/Artists, here I mean browsing and filtering.

liviu
2 posts
 
I have some hopes from Sonos Port. In June Sonos will switch to new OS and new App and it will support high resolutions. And Sonos app is one of the best.


Ag insider logo xs@2x
reg19
80 posts
 
Reviving this thread. Have some questions.

I have them all (Tidal, Qobuz and Amazon HD) and prefer Amazon HD as their Ultra HD content has increased quite a bit during the past few months. Also, their native app is quite good.

Want to stream to a Marantz SR6014 receiver (used as a pre-amp for the Parasound A21 power amp). I have a Chromecast (not Chromecast Audio) and an Apple TV connected as the only two HDMI sources into the AVR.

Marantz AVR has HEOS and Apple Airplay 2 capability.

I get the best sound quality when I use the Amazon Music HD account HEOS app on my phone / tablet . However, the usability of the Amazon Music account on the HEOS app is beyond horrible. Unusual as the Tidal account usability on the HEOS app is pretty decent. Takes time for a selected track to play. Stops at end of track (does not continue to next track). Also, cannot play my favorite playlists / tracks.

There is an option to use Airplay 2 with my Amazon Music HD app on my phone / tablet but that does not sound as good (just CD quality).

However (go figure), Airplay 2 option works good while using the Tidal app on my phone (I get Master quality and it does sound better than playing Tidal via HEOS app which is CD quality). So confusing.

Qobuz: I wish there were an easy way to stream effectively to my receiver. Does not sound as good when streaming through my Apple TV or Chromecast (that are connected to my AVR via HDMI).

Any sugggestions? Anyone found workarounds for Amazon Music HD on HEOS?

I am not familiar with DNLA / UPNP but it sounds complicated / expensive.

TIA.

arnoldo OP
26 posts
 
I ended up getting the bluesound node 2i, so can't help much with HEOS. 

If your receiver has bluetooth with aptx-hd and your phone also does, can see how that sounds.  I use it when I just want background music because the bluesound app isn't as good as amazon app.  For me it sounds good.  

I don't think DNLA/UPNP is compatible with amazon music, but not an expert.
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