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Budget Music Streamer

I've been trying to get my head around best sound out of a budget streamer. All my CD collection is now in my portable 2TB hard drive as FLAC files and I also have subscription to Apple Music (large playlist). Currently using Apple TV and Airport Express (airplay limiting to 16 bit/44.1kHz) and Apple TV streaming at 48kHz. I have a revealing system and know I can get better sonics by upgrading my digital source. Unfortunately I have been blessed with a good ear for music.  

There are quite a few options out there, each having it's limitations, specially the ability to play Apple music directly from iTunes using a remote without limiting the sampling rate. Do I consider a Mac Mini or build my Raspberry Pi source? Will I get a spdif connection (preference) out of the two? Is there remote control capability to view playlist (I don't intend to hook up a monitor). Or is there a better solution out there for both listening to FLAC files on hard drive and streaming Apple Music? I plan on selling my OPPO player - no use to me, to fund a better DAC (schiit Yggdrasil or BorderPatrol) - hence the digital source is on a budget. Experts chime in..

Simaudio W5 poweramp
Von Schweikerts VR4 
OPPO 105 
Apple TV (using Kanexpro HDMI de-embedder to extract audio - coax in DAC)
Airport Express (optical in DAC)
Benchmark DAC1 (no USB) - used as preamp
Marantz AV7701 preamp
Morrow Audio interconnects 
ghulamr

Showing 9 responses by ghulamr

ghulamr's avatar
ghulamr OP
104 posts
 
@headphonedreams better to buy the Allo Digione Signature or build one. Building one will not be all that cheaper but more fun. Can you share your build? 
ghulamr's avatar
ghulamr OP
104 posts
 
There are some really great options in the budget streamer market now - Raspberry Pi (Allo Digione signature), SOTM sms-200, MicroRendu, MAC Mini and I am sure others. Any suggestions as to which one is sonically superior? 
ghulamr's avatar
ghulamr OP
104 posts
 
I played around a little with my system in the last 2 hours and I think I have hit a sweet spot.

I switched to using OPPO as the em-bedder from my Apple TV - tweaked the Audio Format set up to point coaxial output to Bitstream in OPPO and my oh my the sound changed to a perfect balance. Not too ‘digital’ sounding and not too warm. Just perfect. When I changed the setting to 192k LCM the sound sounded too sterile and ‘artificially digital’ - I guess it tried to upsample - which I did not like. Bitstream was perfect. 

I compared the sound to Airport Express (TOSLink to DAC) - the coaxial sounded a tad bit airy, just rightly detailed with better lower end punch. 

Also called Benchmark and they recommended against any mods like fuses or power cable. I think cables make a difference - we have our opinions. They also said no to re-clockers which is valid as the DAC has a solid clock and jitter reduction. 


ghulamr's avatar
ghulamr OP
104 posts
 
I am really now torn between Allo DigiOne signature or a Mac Mini set up for my digital music streaming. Understood Mac Mini will need some additional cleaning up front - a USB to spdif converter (my Dac does not have USB) and a reclocker to begin with - but aim is best sound and a nice GUI to play Apple Music and Tidal.

Apple TV currently set up direct to my DAC (using OPPO as de-embedder) sounds terrific - but feel updating the source will really optimize the sound and take it to the next level. Help is needed to narrow down my choice. 
ghulamr's avatar
ghulamr OP
104 posts
 
@pc997 do you have a write up the build? I am hoping there are advantages building one than buying (easier)? Do you have a write up. Have you compared the sound to Mac Mini? Thanks. 
ghulamr's avatar
ghulamr OP
104 posts
 
@jwricci - how do you like the sound of Allo DigiOne? Can you connect an external HD to it? Can you play Tidal or Apple Music - if so how? I love the fact that it’s prebuilt for you. Interesting that it’s compared to be better than Aurelic Aries and I am certain Mac Mini. 
ghulamr's avatar
ghulamr OP
104 posts
 
Thanks lowrider57. Any recommendations for a good cable without breaking the bank? Both coaxial and TOSLink. I am using cables by Morrow Audio in my system. 

Also - I think I will need a more long term/better/scalable solution to my streaming than Apple TV gen4 or AirPort Extreme. Does the Node allow to stream Apple Music - not AirPlay but direct connect to DAC and play music via remote app? 
ghulamr's avatar
ghulamr OP
104 posts
 
@lkgerens - what DAC are you using? Do you have drop outs using Airplay airport express? 
I too believe the kanexpro might be the weakest link. I have Apple TV gen4 and have to extract sound out of HDMI. Will try using OPPO as de-embedder with HDMI in and Coax out. 

I think the end goal is to get the best sound. Not sure if I see value in the aftermarket digital streamers like Auralic Aries or Node2. First I plan on using an external DAC and secondly they all use Airplay which down samples to 44.1kHz. So where's the value unless you are using Hi-Res streaming? FLAC files can be played out of OPPO NAS or Mac Mini. 

Before getting a new DAC I want to see if replacing the fuse with HiFi tuning supreme will make any difference. Also want to try a re-clocker at the digital source like W4S remedy. Wonder if benchmark will like the cleaner signal or would not really care since it's got a decent clock to begin with. 
ghulamr's avatar
ghulamr OP
104 posts
 
It does measure well but sounds digital and a bit forward. I am still trying to tweak it more - may replace the fuse with HiFi tuning supreme. Using Pangea AC-9 cord. Room for improvement adjusting the jumper settings and maybe replacing to better digital cable. Want to take the edge of higher frequency and make the music less fatigue and more warm. Maybe its the Kanexpro that’s adding jitter and noise - the source maybe the weakest link. Thoughts..
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