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Need really simple advice. How do I use the DAC side of my ARC Ref CD-9SE to stream music?

Ok, ... I just bought an ARC Ref CD-9SE redbook CD player, which has its own built-in DAC functionality.  The CD-9 DAC does not have DSD capability.  The ARC website describes the CD-9's capability in part as follow:

The Reference CD9SE incorporates four digital inputs: USB 2.0HS, AES/EBU, RCA, and Toslink. All inputs handle 24 bit / 192k resolution. The Reference CD9SE retains the Philips PRO2R transport, still the best dedicated CD mechanism that is simply unsurpassed for compact disc playback. Benefitting from what we have learned in the development of the Reference DAC, the REF CD9 utilizes quad 24-bit DACs running in mono mode, with dual master oscillators; one for 44.1/88.2/176.4 sample rates, the other for 48/96/192kHz sample rates. Sample rate conversion is selectable for all inputs, allowing playback in native resolution or via upsampling, including compact disc and all inputs, including USB. Additionally, there is a selectable digital filter, with either fast or slow rolloff. 

I have no idea what any of the glarff quoted above means.  So, ... my simple minded understanding is that I need to sign up for a streaming service, ...  like Spotify, Tidal or something off Amazon.  The CD-9 is very close to an ethernet cable, so that is a good fact.  I assume that I will need a streamer like, Lumin or some other brand that I do not know a thing about, plus some interconnects and maybe a USB cord.  If I need a computer, ... I have a regular PC which has an Intel Core i7 CPU and a solid state hard drive.

So, ... in simple baby talk, how can I stream music from the internet into my CD-9 DAC and then into my ARC Ref 6SE linestage?  Please, please, ... keep it really simple.   

Thanks

bifwynne

Showing 4 responses by mahler123

mahler123
3,481 posts
 
Does your PC output usb 2.0?  If so, use that , I believe you said the ARC had an input.  If not, you may need a converter.
windows computers frequently require a driver be downloaded to work with many DACs (your ARC is basically a DAC that spins CDs).
You may need to check with ARC on that.  Then yes, download the app for whatever streaming service you wish to try.
Down the road you can add programs that might enhance the audio quality, such as Audirvana Plus, but this should get you started
mahler123
3,481 posts
 
Since the ARC handles usb 2.0, if you have a laptop you may want to start experimenting with that (my new MacAir has usb 3.0, but I believe that converters are easily found, and most computers out there probably use 2.0).  Computers usually have some sort of a hard drive (you may have to purchase a separate optical drive to burn CDs) and you can download the apps for streaming services such as Tidal or Spotify.  Dedicated Streamers are computers that have been made to look like audio components.  Many audiophiles remain happy with a bog standard pc even as they upgrade everything else.  The computer probably already is part of your network and that eliminates a big hassle, as getting a fancy streamer to play with your network is frequently a source of frustration 
mahler123
3,481 posts
 
OP

As above, any bog standard USB 2 cable should work.   You won't injure your ARC.   Whether or not getting a pricier USB cable has any value is a subject that gets debated around here.  Being an audiophile, I eventually shelled out for a Pangea cable, and can't say that I noticed any difference.  As you can surmise, one reason that streaming is dominating the market place is that from an expense standpoint, not much required--everyone has a computer and a usb cable.
   One of my first DACs a PSAudio DLinkIII which I must have purchased during the G.W. Bush Presidency did upsampling to 176 and at first I was quite taken with it.  Eventually I came to a few CDs that sounded "thin" upsampled.  My present DAC, a Bryston DAC3 offers upsampling, but I don't like the implementation and the regular DAC sounds fine.  
   As has been said on this thread, many audiophiles are so pleased with the results from their computer into a DAC that they never feel compelled to buy a dedicated streamer.  
mahler123
3,481 posts
 
I did the Tidal free trial, it sounded nice, I experimented a bit with MQA, using the DAC on my Node2 as my regular DAC didn’t do MQA.  However, I listen primarily to Classical, and at the time of my trial, Tidal had poor offerings.  I waited for Qobuz to arrive as it is popular with Classical Listeners.  I had previously used Spotify, and now that I have increased my Podcast listening and Spotify has gone in big on Podcasts, I’ve reactivated Spotify.    Qobuz is pretty acceptable SQ, but as with all streaming services you are at the mercy of your ISP.  There is a lot of bandwidth throttling where I live, and my suspicion is that with the Pandemic and everyone being home and working remotely and Zooming and what not, the ISPs are stressed and throttling like crazy.  So I listen primarily to the albums that I have recorded to my NAS in FLAC on my own LAN, and I still spin CDs, SACDs, and Blu-rays.
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