How to start streaming

I would go for a Bluesound Node, if you want to connect with a PC or Mac, or a Vault and download all your files into it-which would be my choice.
Call Bluesound directly. They have great customer support and can give you the most accurate info.
Bob

If you are happy with CD resolution you might consider a Sonos system.  I use a paired network hard drive to store files and can play them using my computer, iphone or iPad wirelessly  to either Sonos speakers, or using a Connect unit to input the wireless signal to a system with a separate DA converter (the on board DA conversion is OK, but your Gugnir is better).

At this point, Sonos will not stream any higher resolution than CD - I use dBpowramp software as a ripper and it includes a utility to downsample and save as new playable files, anything you have at higher resolution.

@rvpiano,

Since you own high resolution files and got a nice DAC, I would also recommend looking into Aurender N100H as well. But, overall Node2 is very good value for the money. It’s also capable of full MQA decoding through its internal DAC. 

Enjoy!

Thanks everybody else for your posts also.

Lalitk,

Thank you.  Your post is most helpful.
All of my files are .flac files and very many are 24/96 and 24/192 resolution.

Mainly what I want to do is access my files remotely from my iPad and/or PC
and play them on my system.

@rvpiano,

What is the resolution of your stored files? If you own a iPhone/iPad I would recommend Apple AirPort Express and a 3.5mm/ optical cable setup.

https://www.apple.com/airport-express/

https://www.amazon.com/FosPower-Toslink-Digital-Connectors-Strain-Relief/dp/B00T8HWUVS/ref=sr_1_1?ie...

If your files are at least cd quality (16bit/44.1khz) resolution or higher then you should look into a dedicated streamer like Bluesound Node,

http://www.bluesound.com/en-us/products/node-2/?cl

You can use digital coax or Toslink cable from Node to Gungnir DAC. Or use RCA out from Node to your preamp/processor to bypass Gungnir DAC. Just connect your NAS drive to Node via USB cable and start listening to your stored files. I believe Node comes with all the cables you would need and their customer service is top notch.

The Node setup is very easy, will yield better sound over PC and offers many options to stream music like Tidal, Spotify (with paid subscription).

Hope this helps!

2psyop:  I have downloaded many, many files for the purpose of creating CDs of them to play on my system.
Just the opposite of converting CDs to files.

USB from computer to DAC would be cheapest and easiest way. 

Or there are many wireless audio or media streaming devices that could be used.  Just pick one.  

Plex is a very good multimedia streaming software system that runs on most any device and supports CD resolution digital streaming of music files.   Look it up. Server and web site client is free.  Apps for Smartphone or tablet are just a few bucks.  Need to be a little computer savy to set it up though perhaps.  

You say you have “ a large collection of such files on my PC and external hard drives which I have converted to CD”. I guess I confused as to what that means?
jond is correct, you need a device that can stream. There are dedicated streamers by many audio companies now and you can use a computer as well. One thing to keep in mind, if you are using your new DAC as an alternative DAC to the one in your CD player and wish to use it also with a streaming device, you will need a device to switch it, like a preamp or coax/usb or optical switcher.
Perhaps some here, who use an external DAC with both a computer and CD player can offer advice if you are using a CD player.

Hi you cannot stream files wirelessly straight to the DAC you need to connect the DAC to a device that can stream. That could be a streaming device or a computer. The Gungnir itself is simply a DAC not a streamer and has no wireless capabilities. If you do a search there are tons of recent informative threads here about streaming to get you started.