Better music player alternative to Mac Air / laptop

I started digital at the introduction of the CD. In the late 2000’s I got seriously into assembling great file serving using a PC, MacBook…. Using all sorts of different software. I have used so many different combinations of storage, DACs, and media it is ridiculous.

The first 25 years have been CD only, then ripped files on a computer, then ripped files on NAS, owning high Rez files, files on a streamer, and finally now streaming. Each in its turn has been the contemporary technology slowly eclipsing the previous technology, first reaching parody… then achieving greater sound quality.

Let me be very clear on where we are at this moment in time and where the future is. Streaming. Streaming through a dedicated streamer… allowing higher sound quality than available through CD, ripped CDs and in most cases than purchased high resolution files. For $14.99 / month you can access about 1/2 million high resolution albums and millions more at red book CD quality ( using Qobuz streaming service). With an appropriate quality streamer (not a Mac or PC) and DAC you can meet or exceed the quality of vinyl.

Assuming you are interested in high quality sound and spending less money versus more in the long termed, i would recommend consider reconsidering streaming. Old farts like me have large vinyl collections. I had 2,000 CDs, I gave them away. I have ripped copies on my streamers (which I never use). So, depending on your associated system at most system cost ‘ performance levels you can implement streaming that will sound as good or better than CDs or stored files for the same or ~ < 20% premium.

The biggest improvement in my systems digital end was taking my MacBook out of my system and putting a real streamer (Auralic Aries G2) into it. I quickly found Aurender Streamers and switched to them… great streamers at all levels. Blue sound and lumix are well respected budget streamers.

OP,

In general, you get what you pay for. Blue sound and the Cambridge you mention are budget streamers. I forgot if we know your associated equipment.. but you need to move up to a Aurender N150 if you want mid-tier performance. Or something better. 

OP,

Thanks. That is why I asked about your equipment.

My general rule of thumb is that  each component should be carefully chosen and at roughly the same cost; streamer, DAC, preamp, amp, phono stage. While a single component can raise the performance of the whole system. Typically that only makes sense when going through an upgrade cycle and you will be upgrading all components to a new level. 
 

So, you may be fishing in the right pond.