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Do I Need a Dedicated Streamer?

Hello everyone,

As the title states, I am still unsure of if I need a dedicated streamer and if it would increase the fidelity of my music compared to how I am listening at the moment. Which is using AirPlay 2 from my iPhone to my Hegel H590 Integrated amp.

 

I know that the DAC in the Hegel H590 is considered quite good and it was one of the reasons that I bought the amplifier to begin with. However, would I get a better input using a dedicated streamer for around $1000 (such as the Cambridge CXNV2 for example) or would I be better off leaving things as is?

I am just not sure if airplaying music to the Hegel is degrading the signal in comparison to a streamer that would pull its own data and send it directly to the amplifier? Also, would improving my router placement and wifi signal make any difference to the sound since my Hegel is hardwired using a mesh wifi system?

 

I am open to switching streaming platforms if I can gain something out of it such as resolution but I’m not sure if apple music is the issue in any of this.

 

If the answer to the title is a no. I am curious what I would need to take the quality of my listening experience to the next level or where money would be better spent to achieve that. I do have acoustic panels in my room and have done my fair share of research on speaker placement already.

 

The only thing that I have been considering in the near-future would have to be the isoacoustics gaia 1 feet.

 

My equipment:

Hegel H590 Integrated

KEF Reference 5 Meta

Metra Velox Speaker Cables

 

Thanks for reading.

danb99

Showing 2 responses by tk21

tk21
237 posts
 

I suppose that I could wire my mac mini using a usb cable to my Hegel and get streamer level quality without buying a dedicated device?

Try it. What do you have to lose if you already have the Mini? I've used this setup (with different amps/DACs) and it works fine.  You can host Roon Core on a Mini (or other full-function computer) as well as Audirvana or (of course) Apple Music.  Turn off Time Machine (or schedule it to run at night) and other process that might interrupt the music stream.

In my opinion, your choice of streaming platform may be best dictated by the services you want it to support and how you want to control it. With a full-function computer (like the Mini) you have many options.  After you've experimented with a few, down the road you might want to add a dedicated streamer.  If by then you've decided (for example) you like Roon, you can focus on Roon-Ready streaming devices.  In that case, one of the Rendu products would be an option;  Aurender (at this time) would not be.  

 

tk21
237 posts
 

Node uses BLuOS (probably the best) 

I'd agree that BluOS provides a very good UI, but IMO Roon is even better. For BluOS, you need a BlueSound device. You can install Roon Core on your Mac Mini then control it from your iPhone or laptop.  One thing I do really like about BluOS is its programmable IR remote capabilities. 

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