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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
arnoldo OP
26 posts
 
I got an arylic S50 streamer/preamp for my garage system and think it's great.  Almost like the app better than bluesound.  One thing is it only outputs CD quality, no hi-res, but for my garage application with all vintage gear it's fine.  Haven't tried in main system to compare with bluesound.

For my main system I just upgraded my Bluesound node 2i power supply with the board from PD creative and an Sbooster and it's only been a few days but feel like it's made a pretty significant improvement.  Especially the bottom end is stronger and tighter.
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scalzi56
3 posts
 

Well, to download Amazon Music HD to computer, you can try this UkeySoft Amazon Music Converter. This software lets you download any music from Amazon Music to local computer without losing any quality, and save them as MP3, M4A, AAC, FLAC, etc. plain audio formats. So then you could transfer Amazon Music songs to any device and player for enjoying.

harnserb
4 posts
 

OK current update on Bluesound Node 2i - while it does play Amazon it has a crippling error where the Bluos app throws an error that account information is incorrect and links you back to Amazon. This can happen several times a day and can take 5-10 minutes to get back the ability to play Amazon. Multiple people have reported it including as far away as Brazil. After a month Bluesound have no resolution and don’t seem to know what to do to resolve it. Very disappointing - it would be funny if it wasn’t such a problem but support will send a nice email saying the case is closed as resolved but by the way they also say they weren’t able to resolve it but they don’t want to leave tickets open. Sad but true

arnoldo OP
26 posts
 

@harnserb I had that problem a while ago but not recently.  Never confirmed but I thought it might have been because I was streaming Amazon music simultaneously from the amazon app on my computer and on the node to my system (different music, not synced).  Thought it was a feature Amazon added to prevent people from sharing their account.  Never tested to verify but hasn't happened in a few weeks, 

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