That being said, am I leaving a lot on the table?
Yes. See below.
Would a dedicated streamer sound a lot better than the Macbook Pro?
Yes. Most definitely.
Are there streamers without DACs, so I can use the McIntosh DAC without purchasing redundant equipment?
Yes. Plenty.
Can I get a streamer that uses the DAC of the c2700 preamp?
Yes. You will connect the streamer via a digital cable to the built in DAC in your preamp. Such as USB, S/PDIF, or AES / EBU.
Finally, do I then need to add another subscription, such as Tidal or Qobuz, to get high res audio?
Not necessarily. Apple Music (red book standard 44.1/16) is pretty good already (CD quality). You can take a free trial for Qobus or Tidal to determine whether they are any better for you and your tastes.
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This is a great time in digital to be getting into high end audio..
First an overview. A streamer and a DAC are components like a preamp and amp. They both deserve the same consideration and investment levels. A Mac book or PC is a very inferior streamer. The best services are Qobuz (1), and Tidal (2)… most the rest are notably of lessor quality. These costs around $12/ month. Qobuz gives you access to well over a half a million high resolution albums and millions of CD quality albums. You need never purchase music again.
It is best for high end equipment to have a separate streamer box and DAC. Both strongly determine the sound quality. My rule of thumb is the reseach and buy the very best you can in both categories and it is likely a well balance system will end up with the cost of each component around the same, so streamer = DAC = preamp = amp.
Streamers (take a look at the Aurrender N200… for instance is an outstanding streamer). You plop it down and it will connect directly with Qobuz and you control it through an iPad. I highly recommend Aurender. They supply outstanding low end audiophile to the very best streamer on the market. I own one at each end.
The sound quality is primarily based on your equipment more so than the specific format (resolution). Recording variability will cause more difference than will the play back resolution in general. While there are exceptions. Over the last couple years I have listened to my streamers about 2,000 hours. I will frequently be surprised how good something sounds… I will think, “now that must be a high resolution recording”. I will look and it is only a red book CD quality… but a really good recording. The opposite occurs as well. So, the important thing is to work at getting a top quality streamer and DAC. They both matter.
A high quality streamer can be connected to the internet using a wall wart wifi extender. So you run an Ethernet cable to a nearby outlet where the extender is. Some folks go through elaborate exercises to “clean up” their whole internet signal… through fancy routers, power supplies, filtering devices. It is much easier just to buy a good quality streamer. It isolates the signal and output and provides a well timed signal for your DAC to use.
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Plenty of DACless streamers. I own 5 of them.
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Thank you for the responses. ghdprentice, can you help me understand, if the MacBook is sending a digital file, comprised of bits (0s, 1s), why would the streamer make so much of a difference? Isn't the digital file the same regardless of the source? I'm trying to left brain this, it just isn't making sense the way there can be such a difference in speaker quality or amplifiers, for instance. Asking with all sincerity. Anyone else can chime in. Next question, dealing with a little sticker shock, is the Aurender N200 at $6300 really THAT much better than, say, a Bluesound?
Fuzztone, can you let me know brands / models?
thyname, the issue with Apple Music (I love the interface), is that I understand you cannot stream hi-res unless it's through the apple produce, wired; ie not bluetooth, and there are incompatibilities that make it only cd-quality when going through, say a Bluesound or Sonos or other streamer.
Soix, not sure of budget, but don't really want to spend several thousand unless I'm really convinced of the superiority of it. That's why I'm posing the question above. I was hoping to be in the $1000 range, for instance, or maybe a little higher, but the Aurender N200 is quite costly!!
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Would a dedicated streamer sound a lot better than the Macbook Pro?
Good God yes!
if the MacBook is sending a digital file, comprised of bits (0s, 1s), why would the streamer make so much of a difference? Isn’t the digital file the same regardless of the source? I’m trying to left brain this, it just isn’t making sense the way there can be such a difference in speaker quality or amplifiers, for instance.
I think most of us probably started this journey thinking very similarly because it’s eminently logical, but just like jitter was a relative unknown when CDs first came out, things we didn’t know initially can turn out to be very consequential and even critical. For dedicated streamers, a lot of the difference can come down to reduced noise (probably the biggest issue and the single biggest problem with using an extremely noisy computer as a source), clocking, power supply, and overall parts quality. If you pursue streaming further you’ll quickly learn that every single thing matters and almost always matters A LOT.
I’ll share my own example where several years ago I started running a high-quality all silver USB connection from my iPad/iPhone to my DAC, then I compared the same recordings between my budget CD transport and streaming through Qobuz and the transport was undeniably superior, and at that point I was pretty damn depressed. So I reached out to the fine folks here and the overwhelming consensus was I needed to get a dedicated streamer, so that’s what I did and picked up an iFi Zen Stream for a relatively paltry $400 and BLAM — right away my streaming quality leapfrogged my CD transport by a huge margin. Point being, moving from a noisy computer to even a relatively modest dedicated streamer will be a significant upgrade, and once you do that I’d also strongly suggest you do a free Qobuz trial as it’ll be far superior to Apple Music and there’s also a ton of music in high-res as well. I know you’re hesitant to take on another subscription, but at least you can try it and then decide if it’s worth it. I’ll just say some things are just worth paying for. A couple very good streamers you can consider in the $1000 price range are the Eversolo dmp A6 and the Innuos Pulse Mini — the A6 has more features but Innuos is more established and offers excellent customer support and the highly-regarded Sense app interface that’s constantly being upgraded for sound and usability. Sorry to drone on, but there’s a lot to consider here and a huge amount of sonic benefits to be had with some very worthwhile effort. Hope this helps, and best of luck.
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@cmb13 : I sense you are questioning stuff, rather than asking questions. I hope I am wrong.
Next question, dealing with a little sticker shock, is the Aurender N200 at $6300 really THAT much better than, say, a Bluesound?
Then just get a Bluesound. It will most certainly be better than a noisy general purpose computer used for streaming audio like your MacBook
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There is absolutely nothing wrong with getting your feet wet purchasing a Bluesound Node. The streamer in it is perfectly adequate, if not better than that. It is its internal DAC that is rather just OK. Its operating software is among the best. You will find that there are members here with fine systems who enjoy their music using the Bluesound, again running it into external DACs.
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Other than improved sound of using a dedicated, purpose built, audio, streamer, there are other conveniences:
1) Ability to use an app on your phone (or tablet) to control music playback. Way more convenient than dealing with a general purpose computer connected to your DAC via USB cable
2) free up your general purpose laptop (your MacBook Pro). You don’t then have to worry about connecting to the DAC, approximate distance to your audio, and be able to freely do tasks associated with laptops, like for example doing work, browse internet and YouTube, watch porn, and stuff like that normal people do on a computer
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Your system seems to be of a quality that would benefit by adding a quality streamer/server and your built in DAC is of fairly high quality. I consolidated the families music services and we all use Quboz. The only advantage that I see in using Apple is that I can listen to music from my Apple Watch. Apple does have an amazing selection of music. I think that a number of streamers will add the Apple services to their list of vendors, but as of now that hasn’t happened. I welcome someone to correct this statement.
I am also a big fan of Aurender, starting with the N200, but these are fairly expensive even on the used market. That said, the Aurender would provide quality in keeping with your components.
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OP,
There are lots of long discussions on the 0’s and 1’s thing. It kept me from buying a good streamer for many years. Then you get one and your jaw drops and you stop worrying about the theory, it’s just true. But, a good streamer will cashe the bitstream, and the re-time it, it will isolates noise from the source… controls vibration. These things drop the noise floor phenomenally and increase the detail and dynamics.
Subject to the rest of your components, absolutely a Aurender is worth the cost in excess of a Bluesound. I have used PCs, MacBooks, iPads, inexpensive streamers… then $3.5K, $5K, $10K, $13K (extensively auditioned in my system), and $22K streamers. At each level I carefully chose the best… not just random only spending money. And at each level the sound was much better and worthy of the investment to someone who cares about sound.
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If you listen to Classical, you might want to test out another streaming service -- Idagio. They don't provide hi-res, but their CD quality stream often gives Qobuz hi-rez a run for its money. The Idagio honchos possess some fine sets of ears, and their library is truly vast. Yeah, I've mentioned it a dozen times, but even this former Tower Classics employee is impressed by the sheer amount of material they put at their customers' fingertips. Getting a little too jaded for Beethoven and Von Karajan? Go to Idagio and cue up a Busoni violin concerto featuring violinist Alexander Vedernikov and the Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana.
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“I was hoping to be in the $1000 range, for instance, or maybe a little higher, but the Aurender N200 is quite costly!!”
You may look for a ‘used’ bargain on Aurender N150 here and on US Audio Mart. Also look into Innuos Pulse Mini over Node 2. The sound and app experience (iPad recommended) with these two would be vastly superior to your MacBook and Node 2.
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I started with a Bluesound to get into streaming: simple to hook/set up, use and operate. The built in DAC is fine, although you can in the future hook up an outboard one to the Bluesound to upgrade the sound.
I myself have moved on to a Aurender N200, but unless you plan to have digital files you want to store, it's overkill for just streaming.
There are many great streamers for $1,000 or less that are all going to sound better then a laptop/PC.
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There are endless options, but as others have said you will have a much better experience moving on from your PC, I started with Bluesound and now use a DCS Bartok. The point I would make is that the Bartok is really good in my opinion but also really expensive. While it's much better than the Bluesound, as you would expect given the price difference, that doesn't mean the Bluesound is bad, in fact, I always thought it's a great bargain for what you get. Decent streamer and DAC and very easy to use for not a ton of money.
not a bad way to start and miles better than PC. From there, there are many, many choices at every price point and I suspect you'll be on the upgrade path at some point but nothing wrong with an affordable start like the Bluesound- you'll appreciate the improvement. Would also highly recommend going with Qobuz or Tidal- I think you'll find that an appreciable improvement for the dollars invested. I prefer Qobuz but both are good
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You may want to check out a previously owned Lumin to get started along with a trial to Quboz. You won't be disappointed and will never look back except to question why you didn't do this sooner.
Let us know how you make out.
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OP, like many have said, just start with a Bluenode. You can upgrade later as your budget allows and your taste for more digital performance increases.
Regarding Apple Music, supposedly, Hifi Rose supports high res Apple Music natively, up to 96/24. I have not tried this myself, so hence the supposedly.
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@cmb13
You ask a lot of really great questions.
I was using Qobuz for a couple of years. My wife really wanted to use Apple Music, and like you, I didn’t feel like paying for an extra subscription. I use the streaming service primarily to sample new recordings, and then if I really like something I buy the CD or SACD, and then either play the disc or burn it to my NAS and play it from the streamer.
I play Apple Music on my Cambridge Audio CXN 60 streamer. If I use an Android device I use Chromecast. If I am using my iPad then it’s AirPlay. Chromecast sounds better. The CXN60 comes with a DAC,but I only use it as a streamer, running it into my Bryston DAC3. Yes, I have paid for DAC that I am not using, although the included DAC isn’t bad and I suppose will be a backup DAC for my entire system if something happens to the Bryston. It should be possible to get streamers without DAC that offer Chromecast and AirPlay.
Like you, for years I streamed from a MacBook, reasoning that it shouldn’t sound different than a dedicated streamer. As others have noted here, even budget equipment such as Bluesound or my CA ($1100) easily best the sound of computer audio. For me it as the lack of grain andquieter backgrounds, and also the joys of not hearing my music mixed in with extraneous computer sounds. I also prefer an audio component to look like an audio component and not a PC
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I use a Bluesound Node connected via coax to the DAC1 in my McIntosh MAC7200. Bluesound's coax connection bypasses it's internal DAC enabling me to use the MAC's internal DAC and features. It sounds great.
The Bluesound interface / control is via my iPhone and is very stable and easy to use. My Bluesound node is connected via Ethernet to my router.
My paid streaming services are Amazon Prime and SiriusXM. Both are native to the Bluesound, so I'm not streaming thru my phone. The Bluesound also has iHeart, TuneIn, and others that don't require a subscription.
My next big upgrades will be a Mac DA2 and an MS500 streamer.
Your C2700 uses Mac's top of the line DA2 - enjoy!
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Thank you for all the detailed and thought out responses. This is a great forum. I’m going to have to do some research, pick one out and give it a shot, I suppose!
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Another vote for a BlueSound Node through an external DAC. In my case a Denefrips Pontus ii 12th. Remember, you can spend a large fortune to result in a minuscule change to sound quality. And there’s a difference between “better” sound and “different” sound. Only you can decide which it is.
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Sorry - forgot to mention that Apple Music isn't native to the Bluesound and if you use it with a Bluesound, it will have to be streamed thru your phone and then via AirPlay to the Bluesound.
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I use a Cambridge streamer into a Mac preamp and have it hooked up two ways so I can listen to either the Mac's DAC or the Cambridge's. I prefer the Cambridge for some reason.
I'm using Spotify and have also tried Pandora and think they both sound "ok". I was using a cheap Grace digital when I first got into streaming and thought it sounded decent and you can still but one of those for less than $200 as I just bought one for the garage setup.
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Another vote for the BlueSound Node and Denafrips Pontus II 12th. When I added the Denafrips Iris DDC, the sound opened up in a unexpected way and it's amazing what this DDC has done in cleaning up the signal with the blackest background.
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Yes you can spend 10’s of thousands of dollars setting up a streaming system and it will sound very good. You can also spend only a few thousand and still get really good sound. Mid level dac and streamer will get you to 85% and then you sit back and ask us $10,000 more worth that last 15%? I use both Qobuz and Apple Music and I can tell you Apple Music just does not sound good. I have it set to hi res lossless and it just sounds muddy like there is a blanket over the speakers. I don’t know what they are or are not doing with their systems but wish they would address it. One thing though you do need to dig into the setting under general > music and make sure you change the defaults to hi res lossless.
Yes bits are bits but jitter and noise introduced into the signal affects the end sound. When using your left brain that is how you need to look at streaming. Thing is that you can’t hear the noise until it is eliminated. I as well was using my MacBook to send Qobuz to dac with usb and thought is was great. Then I tried a dedicated streamer and was quite shocked at the difference. This is with a Gustard r26 $1600, then $500 of mods to it, eversolo streamer $800. I am very happy with my streaming set up and do not feel I have to add $1000’s for that extra 15% that is out there.
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This is a very enjoyable discussion with some very good recommendations. I have been streaming through my iphone with a direct connection to an external DAC. I too am in the market for a step up but my budget was not anywhere close to the yours or the recommendation by the fellow posters. I think a budget option that would provide a big step up would be the WiiM Pro with the voice remote. You can look it up and see if it has the features you need. It has a budget internal DAC in the form of the TI PCM5121. For the price of a hotel room on the outskirts of any major US city it is amazing full featured and sounds as good as it sounds. Once your are ready to move up it can be reassigned to the garage or hunting shack system. Enjoy the search and the joy of listening to your music for its pleasure without your left brain interference.
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There are no third-party integrations with Apple Music so if you go the separate streamer route, you’ll need to use AirPlay which is stuck at 24 bit / 48 kHz max for AirPlay 2.
You can play back high-res files from Apple Music on your Mac. You just need to enable it from the Music app. Go to Preferences -> Playback and then select the highest resolution from the ’Streaming’ and ’Download’ dropdowns.
You’re on the right track as far as audio quality and streamers go. They’re all 1’s and 0’s. As long as the data is getting to your McIntosh DAC intact, then one streamer is no better than another in terms of audio quality.
There can be wide variations in terms of ease of use, features and technical support so I encourage you to make your choice based on those criteria rather than on anecdotes on sound quality.
A streamer is basically a computer with some specially configured audio software. For example, I’ve made my Mac mini into a streamer using a free app called Kodi. I also have a Raspberry Pi based streamer running moOde for my basement system. I’ve got a fairly technical background so I went the DIY route. You might view the Mac as a temporary situation or are less technically inclined which nudges you towards a turnkey solution.
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You’re on the right track as far as audio quality and streamers go. They’re all 1’s and 0’s. As long as the data is getting to your McIntosh DAC intact, then one streamer is no better than another in terms of audio quality.
@yage Uh, I couldn’t disagree more. You’re completely missing the critical issues of noise and clock quality among other things.
I’ve got a fairly technical background
Ah, that explains it. Ugh.
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They’re all 1’s and 0’s. As long as the data is getting to your McIntosh DAC intact, then one streamer is no better than another in terms of audio quality.
🤯🤦♂️🙄🙄. Of course, digital, it either works or it doesn’t 🙄.
I was wondering when the ASR contingent was showing up to get people straight with “science”
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@soix
Noise and clock quality are basically immaterial when you're using the USB interface as the transport. This is an asynchronous mechanism - the receiver (i.e. the DAC) will buffer and clock out the data.
Also, I'm not sure why having a technical background is frowned upon. All of these concepts and components were created and advanced by scientists and engineers. In short, audio reproduction wouldn't exist without science.
@thyname
I'm not part of the 'ASR contingent' as you call it but I do like to see and use evidence (whether it's from measurements or valid listening tests) to make more informed choices when it comes to spending my money. I guess you have a different system.
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@yage : OK. Fine. Judging but what you previously said, and I quoted above, I sense you did not try anything (such as experimenting). Anyone with any digital system knows that statements such as “zeroes and ones, it either works or it doesn’t, one streamer is no better than another “ cannot be taken seriously, regardless of what the technical acumen (or the power of their Google Machine) of those who proclaim it with confidence, or forcefully demand “evidence” of the contrary.
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I understand your desire. I have a McIntosh MX122 with a MC462 along with MS500 going into a pair of Focal Stella Utopia EVOs. Using Tidal and Apple. I find for my purposes the MS500 is a terrific buy. The sound is on the Tidal Master albums amazing. You would be hard pressed to find a better sound for the dollars spent.
That being said a separate streamer and DAC would be preferred only if the rest of your system is up to the task of hearing the difference. While my system is very good, I tried some of the best streamers and DACs but the money didn’t sound better actually it sounded more or less the same.
now I did audition Boulder 3000 series combo going through the Wilson XVX and the difference was awesome and unforgettable. So now I am saving up a little over $300,000.00 to get such a system. But for now, my combo is hard to beat at its price point.
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Noise and clock quality are basically immaterial when you’re using the USB interface as the transport…Also, I’m not sure why having a technical background is frowned upon.
@yage Because it tends to be “tech” guys, ASR disciples, and engineers that say noise, etc. is immaterial and it’s just 1s and 0s, which is completely ignorant and wrong headed — that’s why. To be clear, many tech, engineers, etc. are extremely valuable members who provide extremely valuable and useful insight here. Then there are the blind deniers/flat earthers like you who are largely frowned upon here because most of us have considerable personal experience that’s completely at odds with your assertions. People here tend to have enough listening experience to trust their own ears rather than blindly following scientific dogma. That’s why the likes of you and jasonbourne, etc. hold little to no weight here whatsoever and are indeed “frowned upon.” Comprende amigo?
BTW, this also begs the question, what streamer do you use and what have you compared it to? That’d be interesting info.
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@thyname
Statements which I made in my first post can be taken seriously because that is how digital data works. If the data received by the DAC's USB receiver from two different components is the same - whether it was sent by a $100 streamer or a $10k streamer - then there's no difference between the two components. It is literally the same audio signal that's being communicated. This is fundamental to how digital systems function. The OP understood this concept and made a rational conclusion from that and I basically confirmed it.
In any case, this aspect of performance can (and has been) tested before. See this post in Audiophile Style. You can test your digital interfaces for yourself if you want to download the program (available here). This blog post is also a good reference on what errors in digital audio transmission sound like.
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If the data received by the DAC’s USB receiver from two different components is the same - whether it was sent by a $100 streamer or a $10k streamer - then there’s no difference between the two components. It is literally the same audio signal that’s being communicated. This is fundamental to how digital systems function.
@yage Dogma City, population you. Do you seriously think a Bluesound Node sounds as good as the top streamers from the likes of Aurender, Innuos, Lumin, dCS, Wolf, etc., etc.? Seriously, do you really believe that??? And again I ask, what streamer are you using, or do you just stream from your computer because it apparently makes no difference anyway?
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I have uploaded several hundreds CDs into my Mac computer (probably close to 1 TB) and I listen to those files by streaming from the Mac to a Marantz Streamer/DAC connected to my preamp.
I would like to not use a computer for this. Anyone have a suggestion on what to buy to store my files and stream without my computer? I don't want to spend more than $1500.
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@soix
And again I ask, what streamer are you using, or do you just stream from your computer because it apparently makes no difference anyway?
If you are interested in his system, check it out on his virtual system page.
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@soix
Let’s first deconstruct your argument re: noise and clocking (jitter).
If the streamer receives audio data over the network, noise and jitter can cause bit errors. However, networking protocols such as Ethernet and TCP/IP contain methods to detect errors and ask for packet or frame retransmission. You can be assured that audio data isn’t being mangled when it arrives over the network. For example, my Windows PC has received ~479 million bytes since I turned it on this morning. Exactly zero frames have been discarded due to detected errors. You can do this yourself by typing in the command ’netstat -e’ in the Windows command prompt. My Raspberry Pi 4 based streamer running moOde has received over 6 GB of data via Ethernet and also zero errors detected.
Let’s say that audio data is stored locally on the streamer. In this case, noise and jitter can cause bit errors when transmitting to the DAC. These types of errors will manifest themselves as audible clicks, pops or even dropouts (if the USB interface at the DAC detects errors or loses connection). This was also covered by the link to the testing that I referenced in my previous reply. To sum that up, after 12 hours of continuous playback using USB, no errors were detected.
Finally, there can be noise injected into the analog output circuitry. However, this is only a problem if you can hear it at the playback volumes you usually listen to. For example, I can hear noise with my Benchmark HPA4 / DAC3 B system on my AKG K371 headphones but only if I crank the volume to max - a level that I would never listen at. If I do the same thing on my DAC3 HGC connected to my PC and turn the volume all the way up, I only hear silence.
Now onto streamers, yes I’m saying that an inexpensive streamer can sound just as good as an expensive streamer if the DAC receives the same data. Bits truly are bits - and that’s the beauty of digital data. We can make and store and stream as many copies of music files as we want and as long as those copies match the original bit for bit, they will always sound identical. This is why you see encryption being used on non-paid music downloads from services like Apple Music or Qobuz.
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There is a Bryston BDP-2 on here for around $800. It will stream Tidal,Qobuz and index an external device with your music files and it will sound really good. The interface is Spartan but it works. Especially for just listening to ripped files. you just need to make sure the digital connections between it and your Marantz match up.
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KISS
Usung the search tool (yellow magnifying glass) you can find lot’s of info on this sight. There’s scads of info of what you’re hankering after.
New or used Bluesound’s are a good way to start and easy to sell when you are smitten and ready to step it up.
As for it’s all ones and zeros to me that’s like saying speakers are speakers and lamp cord is good wire. You will find the vast majority here shy away from computer streaming. Read into that what you will.
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Now onto streamers, yes I’m saying that an inexpensive streamer can sound just as good as an expensive streamer if the DAC receives the same data. Bits truly are bits - and that’s the beauty of digital data. We can make and store and stream as many copies of music files as we want and as long as those copies match the original bit for bit, they will always sound identical.
Ok, I’ve already said my piece on this and I’m done as it’s clear the cement has hardened on this one. If anyone else here takes issue with this please feel free to chime in because this is just absolute ignorant silly talk. A cheap streamer can sound just as good as the better and more expensive streamers out there? You gotta be kidding me man. There are so many people here who’ve had revelations in their streaming setup by upgrading to a better streamer it’s not even a question anymore except in your mind. A quote from Pink Floyd’s The Wall once again seems appropriate…
”And when they've given you their all
Some stagger and fall after all it's not easy
Banging your heart against some mad bugger's wall”
Peace out.
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@soix +1
@yage -1 All the words and logic you can muster about bits will not change the fact that vastly different sound quality comes from the same bits run through different components doing the same thing.
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cmb13,
I am an engineer, but I still let my ears (and my budget) dictate my purchases. I am not a "bits is bits", or cable disbeliever, or power disbeliever; and that has only come by hearing the differences with my ears in my system. I'm also not going to disagree with those that have differing opinions, we've all got to make our own minds up on what does, and does not matter.
Most any dedicated streamer has outperformed my old computer based streaming. My current system of a Bluesound Node 130, LHY linear power supply, along with good high quality cables provides an excellent streamer set up with an excellent interface for a combined $950.
You might buy a Node X (latest model) $750 or an Eversolo DMP-A6 $899 and try for yourself. If they better your current streaming set up, then keep them.....if not then you can return them for a restocking fee.
But most are correct, better streamers (also more costly) form Aurender, Innuous, Lumin, etc do provide better SQ.....I've tested Aurender and Lumin products in my system and they were much better than my current set up, and I'm saving for it's replacement
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@yage
I consider your opinion and the opinions of most others on this website, whether or not I am in agreement with them, as being important. I agree with others that you should purchase and will enjoy having an entry level streamer such as a Bluesound, which I happen to own one and thoroughly enjoy, to dip your toes in the streamer waters. Although I don’t have their names on the tip of my tongue, there are members here with rather expensive systems who use and enjoy it.
Unfortunately, emotional outbursts by one member here are getting to be the norm and do not represent the main of this website.
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@cmb13 I have a C2700 with the DAC2 module running into MC275s. Do you know which device is decoding the streaming music? Is it the laptop or the C2700? If it’s the laptop then it will never get beyond 48kHz. The DAC2 module is capable of hi-res files up to 32 bits and 384kHz through a USB connection. Roon software will let you use the laptop to stream Qobuz, Tidal, Spotify and any downloaded Apple music files you have on the laptop to the C2700 and use that Dac to decode. I started off using a Mac mini set up this way and it worked great. It also gave me time to set up my system using a dedicated streamer using the C2700 dac. I still use the Roon software (it’s brilliant) and let it manage all my music files. It’s also cheaper to try this software than spending thousands on a high end streamer to figure out if you can hear a difference in your system.
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Apple Music sounds pretty good via Chromecast, definitely a step up from AirPlay.
I think you need an Android Device to do this. I unsuccessfully tried to enable Chromecast on my iPad a while ago and couldn’t. I am guessing it’s an Apple vs Google thing. However, it works well from my Android phone and Android tablet. If someone knows how to Chromecast from an Apple device Iit would be a service to share it.
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+1 for Bluesound, but get a decent coax and use the McIntosh DAC. For well under your $1000 budget you will enjoy a significant improvement in SQ. You could upgrade to an LHY lps and still be under budget. Eventually you may feel it worthwhile to spend the $$ on an Aurender or Innuous streamer - but maybe not.
One additional point for the OP that has not been raised in this thread: the quality of the user interface (UI). If the UI is poor no amount of technical superiority will compensate. I had a MiniDSP SHD streamer, an excellent piece of hardware for the money, but the Volumio OS/UI drove me nuts. So much so the my wife encouraged me to buy a new streamer, never mind the $$. Now when was the last timer your wife encouraged you to spend more on your sound system? The UI is one of Bluesound's competitive strengths. Just something to keep in mind.
Enjoy the journey & best of luck.
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OP,
Start off slow. Get a used Bluesound Node N-130 and maybe a Denafrips Aries DAC and see what you think. I guarantee it is better than using a computer!
All the best.
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@jbuhl
Thank you for the reply!
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@jetter
Thanks - I appreciate the comment.
@ghdprentice
I can accept the fact that people hear differences when using different streamers in their setup. However, in most (if not virtually all) these cases, I don't think it's the streamer that's causing the difference. Since it's difficult to know how controlled the conditions were for these evaluations, it's hard to judge how reliable the outcome is given that people can be easily swayed by our own biases and other external factors. This video sums it up nicely - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nthIOIXizs
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