HELP! Streaming to my old school audiophile system

What you want is a DAC/streamer.  It's basically a network streamer with a DAC built into it.  The Cambraidge Azure 851N is one option.  Bluesound Node 2i is another option.  There are better options, but they do cost more. 

Sony HAPZ1ES $1999
Auralic Altair G1  $2699
Cocktail Audio X45 $2995
Aurender A100  $3900

Be aware that not all network streamers will have a DAC built in.

Good morning enthusiasts. I just purchased the Cocktail Audio X45 and could not be more pleased with the result. I began streaming through an Oppo BDP105D and wanted to digitize my vast CD collection. With no disc drive in my laptop, I decided to look into network streamers that also rip music, and I wanted something at a reasonable price point. 

Enter the X45. What impressed me about its specs was: DACs for each channel, ripping capability, streaming Tidal MQA, FM tuner, ability to rip my vinyl collection and the build quality.

I can safely say that I am impressed by the quality of the sound and the dedicated DACs have improved the sound-stage. I'm hearing more of the detail in Hi-rez streaming on this unit compared to the Oppo. Oh, and did I mention the great build quality. Granted, it has only been 2 days, but I have noticed an improvement in the sound quality, and the database management is easy and intuitive. Comes with a remote and I display it on my TV monitor. I just ordered the wi-fi dongle so I can manage it all on a tablet or phone. 


Running it with the following equipment:
Vandy Treo CTs
Simaudio W-3 Amp
Conrad-Johnson PVL14 Tubed pre-amp
Speaker cable: Audioquest  Rocket 88 bi-wire
Interconnects: Synergistic Research, Kimber Silver-streak, Audioquest HDMIs and Analysis Plus.

Happy listening

Anyone comparing x45 with A100? I am planning to get one of the model in future.

I‘d suggest a streaming DAC from Auralic or Lumin, straight into your preamp via RCA and you are off to the races