Hardware Options for Streaming Music From Internet via Pandora, Tidal, etc.

Well... I do understand... that master analog tape has the best sound quality, followed by vinyl, and then possibly HD CD’s / files, WAV CD’s / files, FLAC files, and MP3 files (or variations of all of these).

But... in my A/B comparisons the only ones that present an easily discernable difference are the analog recordings vs anything digital. I have a bit more difficulty discerning the difference between WAV and FLAC files (almost can’t tell the difference at all - may be imagined), but I can tell the difference between FLAC and MP3 files (the resolution of the FLAC files or WAV files compared to MP3 is noticeably better) - on most systems, even car audio systems. Though, the difference is much more noticable on my high-end systems. However, I would note that I have several MP3 files that have great sound quality on these systems, which have caused me to wonder if the WAV or FLAC or HD versions of the same music could sound that much better.

And... yes... the recording technology and techniques in recent years have improved dramatically over those typically representative of the 80’s and earlier. The "close-miked" techniques, etc., etc. have markedly improved the resolution, dynamics and realism of more contemporary recordings.

But, for just listening to background music with inexpensive systems, even though some of those have incredibly good sound quality, MP3 is fine. Thus, In that context, I’d bet very few would not be surprised and pleased with the sound from, as an example, a lowly Echo Dot and the Brookstone iDesign Wafer CD Player with NXT Flat Panel Speakers w Subwoofer, or the Mini-Maggies with Bass Panels. Quite surprising... really - when considering only modest volume background music.

Although, when I take the same Echo Dot and plug it into my the back of my ARC Ref 3 preamp, and play it through one of my high-end systems... the sound is terrible... poor resolution, and clarity... poor dynamics, etc. So, there are evidently many more factors that produce high quality sound than just whether the system is "high-end," or not.  And... yes... I'm sure the fact that the system is better, is a factor in how those MP3 files sound... just not the only factor.

for anything in the digital domain, I’d forget about "average sound quality...vs. superb sound quality"

After you spend $6,000 on speakers (*) you can go back and see if a super quality digital component makes a difference.

Also, it is unlikely that you will hear much difference between super res files and a well-recorded CD (redbook std).  A poorly recorded CD is a truly bad sounding thing however.  So go thru your collection and see if you have any CDs from the 1980s, or if your favs have been released with acclaimed sound quality.
Many people (and maybe all) cannot tell the difference between mp3 lossy compression and high bit rates/depths.  Redbook, and later mp3, were designed so that sonic artifacts could not be heard by humans.

(*) e.g. Magneplanar 2.7i speakers; or spend $10k on something else 

Yeah... what I'm finding, which I didn't realize, is that many music servers can provide internet radio streaming, depending upon the control software they use.  So... both of mine (W4S and Bryston) can support internet radio streaming - it just depends on the software, which services they can stream (e.g. Pandora, Pandora One, Tidal, Spotify, Tunein, etc.).

I was hoping the services streaming HD files might have better sound quality and rival that of files streamed from my local servers - but, that doesn't seem to be the case just yet.

The Sony HAP-Z1ES player allows Internet radio streaming via Tunein.  Thanks to a recent firmware update, it also supports Spotify streaming.

It kinda looks like "the choice" is between something pretty convenient with average sound quality... and... something with superb sound quality, with average convenience.

So... for simple convenience and the "nominal" sound quality of internet radio (which is about all it is now, anyway - when compared to ripped FLAC / WAV files, DSD files, or vinyl) - I guess an Echo Dot connected to one of my systems, or simply streaming radio over Logitech Media Server running on a Music Server, may be all I really need.  The Echo Dot is just so convenient for background music, and other programming (news, weather, sports, traffic, etc., etc.)... it may trump sound quality.  

But... I may look into the Aurender X100L to replace my other music servers... for... it's shear sound quality.

You should check out a Aurender X100L Music server connected with a USB Audio cable to a Oppo 105........Stunning versatility and sound! Plus the Aurender Conductor app for tablet control is the BEST on the market period!


Matt M

Auralic Mini

I'd using a Bluesound Node 2 for streaming Tidal and internet radio with its internal DAC - pretty decent I might add, but just recently "upgraded" to using an external and better DAC. Node 2 is well below your budget.

Apple TV-3 

mine was $40 refurbed from Apple with a warranty

but I don't use the services you list, so check on that

AURALiC Aries LE

Hey... just discovered my W4S MS-1 Media Server has an internet radio receiver in the Logitech Media Server software it uses...  though, I guess it doesn't support streaming of HD files from Tidal, yet (without issues).

So... maybe... that will suffice.

But... would still appreciate any suggestions you might have.

I guess one option might be... to use a MacMini wth a SSD (replace the HD), and a upgraded linear power supply - which would allow me to receive the internet radio signal, and transfer it to a DAC via HDMI, USB, etc...

But, that would be a pretty expensive option.