2. digital
  3. 174025-96382

Improvement of MacBook Air for Streaming Tidal

OK, admittedly I am a bit ignorant on streaming digital. My analogue gear and knowhow is up to par, but digital...not quite. When not listening to vinyl, for ease of use I usually stream Tidal via my MacBook Air to a DAC (Hegel HD30), then to a preamp(Aric Audio Motherlode) then to amp(Coda Model 16) to speakers(TAD CE1’s). I like how easy it is to navigate my Tidal account and library via the MacBook, but I am also smart enough(I believe) to know that I am losing a lot of the fidelity having to use the USB port out of my laptop.

I ask my audio brethren, what are reasonably priced solutions to raise my digital methodologies so that I get the most out of Tidal?

 

I thank you in advance for your assistance!

laaudionut

Showing 1 response by nymarty

nymarty
94 posts
 

My suggestion is to buy a Bluesound Node and try it out.  It works out of the box (Ethernet or Wi-Fi connection) and connects to your preamp with its built-in DAC.  You can also use digital outs to go to your Hegel but not sure if the Hegel does full MQA.  You then use your Mac or iOS device and just use the Tidal app and stream via Tidal Connect on the Node.  When doing that, the app is just telling the Node what to stream. You can also use the BluOS app to stream Tidal or Qobuz, etc.  

I’m fairly new to streamers too — just got the Node for Christmas — and very happy with the SQ and ease of use.  I also like that I’m not tethered via a USB cable to my system. All that said, I do still use my IPad connected to my DAC as another digital source. That let’s me play with Apple Music and Amazon HD.

 

 

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