Digital newbie

TAS and Stereophile both have had digital for newbie articles in the past few years that already may be a bit dated but you can start there.  It might help if you start with what you do know.  
  There are some posters on this site that like to ridicule newbies so if you are a bit intimidated by that you can PM me and I can get you started.

Jut a suggestion, before you start spending lots of money, try using your computer as a streamer to get the feel. That is how I started. I had to spend 12K before I found a streamer, that sounded better to my ears.

Streaming totally change my life!!!  I was on the fence a few years ago and bought a Bluesound Vault 2i.   In the past 5 years I discovered more great music than in 50 years !   I still play vinyl and rarely a CD ,  but most of what I listen to is streamed 

What are the other components in your system ?   Knowing that will hopefully yield good suggestions on what price point is a good compliment 

PCs can sound good, it's the fan noise that irritated me.     Qobuz is doing a free 30 day trial.  Good way to get your feet wet.   I use Qobuz across all of my devices, Tablet, phone, PC,  Vault, Aurender.    

I use it in my van through my phone...   Best money I spend on entertainment 

Here's a good primer 

https://pmamagazine.org/understanding-music-streaming-a-guide-for-beginners/

I had to laugh.. when I was looking for a link I saw AARP's guide to streaming !!!  It's getting more and more popular with us seniors...

Last year I got my Dad, 79 into streaming.    He streams about 4 to 6 hours a day now.   He's always playing something 

@oddiofyl Hegel 190 integrated/BW 706 S3 bookshelves.  Apple TV 4K/Macbook air M1.  Nordost throughout.  

@cjlundberg digital upstream devices for audio are computers. For some reason audiophilia can sometimes make it seem more complicated; it need not be. As with any computer, the software for a system and its ease of use x compatibility with your streaming services of choice should be the main consideration. 😉

I recall hearing of MacBooks with M processor-based issues in audio playback, so if you plan on using your laptop instead of a dedicated device (be it cheap or expen$ive), might be worth looking into.

I've been using a Sony HAPZ1ES server for several years now, and I just got into streaming myself in the last few months. I wanted to start out easy and economical to see how much I liked it first. After reading many reviews, I went with Cambridge Audio's excellent CXN V2 because many reviewers liked both the sound and the ease of use afforded by Cambridge's Stream Magic app. I have been very happy with it so far, enough so that I haven't felt the need to move to the newer CXN100 that just came out. I stream from Qobuz and have found their selection excellent. They also have one of the largest Hi Res offerings as well. 

It is interesting that most of the responses, which in general are quite helpful, restrict themselves to streaming.  Technically digital also means silver disc play.  I took the OP to mean that he or she listens to analog only, but the language has evolved to the point where most people think that digital refers only to what comes from a streaming service 

Looks like you got plenty of info. Enjoy the streaming journey, there has never been a better medium to discover new music. I would go directly to a separate streamer and separate dac because you will eventually get there. Plenty of price options available.

+1 for @dwest1023 's Idea for starting with a laptop. You are familiar with the interface and you can get a good idea of how things work before you drop a bunch of money. I'm using my ASUS ROG laptop for streaming and I've compared the sound of Qobuz to my CD rig (being careful to play the same version) and they sound identical to my ears.

One tip I will give you is that streamers come with their own software and each interface and functionality can be quite different. I would suggest that you pay a lot of attention to the streamer's interface before you choose which one you buy if you go that direction.

If you like the idea of having a huge database of information at your fingertips about the music you are playing you may like Roon. You can use Roon on your laptop so you don't need a special streamer to use it but you will need a DAC with a USB input. But I recommend starting simple and working your way up from there.

Thank you, all.  I'm excited!

I started streaming several years ago.  Prior to that,  most of my listening was CD and some streaming of radio stations through my computer.  Because I wasn't sure,  I  started modest, with a Bluesound Node 2i.  Reasonable cost,  and the digital out allowed me to use my external dac at that time,  a PS Audio Stellar Gain Cell.  It  completely changed the way I listen to music!! I still play cds now and then,  but over 90 percent of my listening is streaming.  I've upgraded most all my system components since then,  including dac, amps, speakers,  but I still use the Node2i,  although I upgraded it with a TeddyPardo LPS (which significantly improved sq!) Why? Because of the operating system.  And that is something to keep in mind when shopping for a streamer.  Make sure that it supports the streaming services that you choose to listen to. My choices are Amazon HD (largest catalog,  large amount in Ultra HD,  good organization) and Idagio for classical music,  and IHeart radio for streaming broadcast stations. None of the high end streamers support both of these services; Innuos says it's in the works to do so,  but they're not sure when. The BluOS interface is very intuitive and flexible,  and works really well for me.  I  use the digital out into a  PS Audio Directstream DAC,  and the sq is great!! Usually better than the same recording played on my CD Transport! My suggestion is to start out modest until you determine what you really like; perhaps even used equipment that you can resell.  If you're lucky enough to have a nearby dealer,  maybe you can audition.  Give it a try,  and have some fun! There's often more enjoyment in the journey than resides at the destination! And as an earlier poster mentioned about some posters ridiculing newbies to a subject,  I say ignore those posters! Learning from others is what these forums are supposed to be about! As Will Rogers said,  "We're all ignorant,  just about different things!" Hope I gave some useful input. 

cjlundberg,

You never gave us a price range, which is the single most important piece of information. Streamers can range from a few hundred buck to $20,000. I can recommend a bunch of really good streamers in each price range, but won't just start throwing out recommendations that are either under of over your price range.

I'd be more than willing to help, but "help me, help you"

Plenty of good "coaching" above and primers.  I was in the same lane you are in a few years ago.  Confused about DAC's, streamers, ethernet connectivity, streaming services, etc.  I started with the BluSound Node 2i and educated myself along the way.  Suggest you pick up a used one with an optional LPS here on Audiogon and start your journey.  

mahler123

2,988 posts

03-25-2024 at 08:00pm 

It is interesting that most of the responses, which in general are quite helpful, restrict themselves to streaming.  Technically digital also means silver disc play.  I took the OP to mean that he or she listens to analog only, but the language has evolved to the point where most people think that digital refers only to what comes from a streaming service 

OP specifically mentioned streaming, network playback and associated services, plus being out of the audio loop for about a decade. CD’s being several decades older still, I think limiting convo to computer-stored files (whether remote or local) was the better bet. 😉

I am with those who have suggested you start with your computer. I stream Qobuz via my Mac Pro and when I find an album I find worthwhile to own I purchase the CD. I will someday purchase a dedicated streamer, however for now streaming serves for background music and music discovery. 

I was in your shoes about four years ago.  And, like yourself, it was quite helpful to  listen to various suggestions and recommendations from others.  There're so very many variables and options available to you when it comes to building a digital audio system.  It'll take a little time for you to figure out just exactly how you want to configure your digital system.  I stream exclusively.  I opted for a somewhat simplified digital/streaming system consisting of:  an integrated amp, a stand alone streaming DAC, a Roon Nucleus Plus music server, and a Pakedge audiophile switch.  Happy listening.        

First thing, do NOT go out and spend a boatload on gear.  Start slowly and get to understand how streaming works and what you want it to do.  Consider Roon as there is a good community to help you get up to speed on how to use it. 

Second, do not apply analog logic to digital gear.  Lots of the tweaks and boxes and audiophile widgets on the digital side are of questionable effect (to put it mildly). Another reason to learn before you dive in. 

Third, even a relatively cheap DAC (understanding that is relative - I mean those sub $1000, some of them well below $1000, have 98% of the performance of more expensive DACs.  So make sure to get a decent one to start but you don't need to go higher until you know exactly what you want, if you ever do. 

Qobuz and Tidal are the lossless streaming providers that work with Roon.  Suggest you start with one of them - Tidal being easier to use. 

How to approach streaming will depend on your personality. For me, wading into the shallow end is a great way to either become frustrated or to spend a tremendous amount of money constantly upgrading until I get something at or better than analog..

You want a separate DAC box and Streamer box.

I have / do own streamers / DACs from $200 to $20K. In general they get much better sounding the more you spend. To get high end sound quality $5K is the general area for both the streamer and DAC can get you there. Improvements continue the more you pay… in particular the streamer makes incrementally larger differences in sound quality.

I highly recommend the best Aurrender you can afford, even their entry level is phenomenal, although Lumin are also good. Qobuz is the best service with the most high resolution albums.