getting into streaming


So after many years of playing cd's, I'm considering getting into streaming music. I would prefer to use the DAC in my accuphase CD player; my question is I assume any streamer would require something additional to control it (smart phone, tablet etc) but I'm wondering if there is something out there that has its own controller to use to surf for songs, so I don't have to buy anything else to use it

gwng8

Showing 3 responses by moonwatcher

To the OP, I would rethink your use case. While it might seem "cool" to have a streamer with a screen interface, do you really want to have to stand there at your rack of gear choosing what to play when you could be sitting in a nice comfortable chair using a tablet or cell phone? The only such device I’ve ever seen that was a streamer with a touchscreen for navigation was a homemade device that used a Raspberry Pi and a certain particular screen. It wasn’t very elegant looking when assembled. Admittedly, I do wish more streamers had a display for "now playing" album cover art. A few do.

Curious, does your Accuphase CD player have an input to be able to use the internal DAC?  If so, what input type is it? You'd have to make sure any streamer of course has that as an output. 

Sorry, I take issue with anyone saying the cheap WiiM Mini (I've not tried the Pro) doesn't work.  I have THREE of them scattered around. One in my den for non-critical listening feeding an AVR, another at my work office for convenience.  And another in my bedroom for playing music at a low level before going to sleep. 

I've had very little issues with these, and the user app (I'm using Android but control them using a PC or iPAD sometimes) is as good if not better than Bluesound O/S in ease of use.  I have used them with Spotify, Tidal Hi-Fi, and sometimes play Internet Radio using the optical out to feed external DACs. 

If the OP is only wanting to "test the streaming waters" for under $100 and can use the SPDIF optical out they can't be beat.  (You can't even begin to build a Raspberry Pi streamer for that these days let alone add a quality Allo "digital hat" to it).

You aren't out much money and can repurpose them for another room or give to a relative when you upgrade to a "real" streamer, as I'm sure you will once you get hooked.  Then you will want one price commensurate with the rest of your system in your main listening room. Then look to Dave and Troy. 

As far as working, I refer you to the many positive reviews on Amazon similar to mine.  No, they aren't a $1000 quality device, but no one expects them to be. And I have to say their software team is top notch. They made promises and actually kept them - for such a cheap device! - which is more than I can say for Spotify and some other device manufacturers.   
 

Just wanted to note that both Cambridge Audio and NAD came out recently with some great (at least on paper) entry level streamer/DACs...so you might want to take a look at one of those as perhaps a "step above the WiiM Mini" to feed your CD player's internal DAC.  Cambridge has the the AXN10 and MXN10 network audio players, while NAD has the CS1 Endpoint Network Streamer. 

Figure they were getting eaten alive by the lower cost models by other manufacturers for newbies wanting to get into streaming and see what all the fuss was about, so they decided to come out with these.  Competition is a good thing. 

Maybe these might be worth a look.