New streamer, new to streaming


Hey folks,

This is my first venture into the realm of streaming and am seeking advice getting started.

I got a Hegel H190 a few years ago and just now decided to use the built-in streamer.

I have been streaming to it from my laptop via USB and appreciate the absolute convenience, education, and exposure to unlimited sources of music in so many genres.

Now, in a different listening room, my H190 is very close to the router. I connected an ethernet cable, did the firmware upgrade, and am ready to try the internal streamer.

Before getting into Roon, Tidal, etc., is there a simple app or online station I can try first? Something I can open up in a browser and have it stream to the H190 from the network?

Hope I am phrasing my questions properly! I know nothing about streaming.

Thanks!

hleeid

Thanks for the responses!

I have tried Radio Paradise streaming from my laptop. Just don't know how to get the Hegel to stream music over the network from Radio Paradise (or any other online source) that I have opened on my laptop. 

Trying to stream directly from network to the Hegel instead of laptop via USB to Hegel.

Is that possible? Or is some service like Tidal needed? 

 

A true streamer will of course stream Radio Paradise either/both through TuneIn or an RP extension. I am unfamiliar with what you have, as you are.

 

 

 

I don't mean to be an a$$ but why don't you have a quick lookie at the manual, download it if you don't have it.

Your Hegel will most likely need to be connected via Ethernet cable to your router permanently unless it has WIFI.

Then you will need some sort of app on your phone or tablet to control it.

+1 @lordmelton 

 

Most streamers have their own app, or they may direct to you to a third party app, such as m connect.  The app will then help you play your sources.  For example, with mConnect there is a place to enter your Tidal account information.  Then everything shows up there, such as your playlists, favorites, etc.  

  If you have files stored on the computer that you want to play, the app will attempt to recognize the computer as a source and will organize your files so that you can play them from the app.

  Roon is a major step up the latter in complexity.  I recommend getting the basic feel of using the streamer down first, then do a Roon trial when you are comfortable.

You can't get high resolution digital for free but qobuz offers a free trial.  use that.

+1, @mahler123

Check out Hegel support page on how to get started with streaming. Once you are familiar with basic setup, sign up for Qobuz trial. A tablet is a must for easy browsing and to experience all the features of whichever app you end up using. 
https://support.hegel.com/product-articles/network-streaming-soundformats

Radio Paradise is hi res and free. Though it is internet radio. I listen all day in the office and love it. Listener supported so make a contribution or freeload your choice. 

You can AirPlay to H190 from iPhone or iPad as long you have one of these devices and they’re on the same network with your Ethernet wired H190.
Radio Paradise app is all you will need. The sound quality via Airplay won’t be the best but will give you an idea. 
Other than that, Roon, Tidal and Qobuz all offer free trial. Roon is great if you have music ripped to hard drive and use Tidal and or Qobuz as it basically manages all your music and libraries. 

+1 for @lalitk ​​@mahler123 's suggestions. FWIW, I'd entirely avoid Airplay if there's another option.

So I am able to stream from local files. Tried mConnect and see the options for Roon, etc.

But I don’t see how to connect to RadioParadise.

Does this mean I need to subscribe to Roon or Tidal, etc. to stream RadioParadise?

No, not using Roon or anything just yet. Wanted to try streaming RadioParadise over the network instead of USB from my laptop.
See how it goes then maybe do Roon or Tidal.

@hleeid 

I assuming you know that Roon and Tidal are different. But just in case...

Roon is a management system/music organiser. Uses what music files you have, and whatever streaming service you subscribe to.

Tidal/Qobuz is a streaming service, offering you their music files.

 

Just want to be sure I understand the capabilities of the Hegel integrated amps. I have the H590 and use my Bryston BDP to manage streaming files from my internal sources via my internal network, or external sources via the internet connection to the H590, via ethernet cable or WIFI.

I understand that you must still have an external streamer / player (such as the Bryston BDP) to stream music files to your Hegel amp... or... if streaming only from the internet, a PC, tablet, or smartphone with an app that can manage the files streaming from various internet sources.

But, that the Hegel has no internal capability to "manage" the files without the use of a separate external device (PC, tablet, smartphone).

In other words, the Hegel amps do not have the capability to hold the streamer software on the amp, and allow you to control that software via your PC, tablet or smartphone - but - require that streamer software to reside on an external device.

Is that correct?

I don’t own a Hegel, but if the 190 is similar in function to the 120, check out this guy’s YouTube review and other links he has. He seems to say that to use the Hegel as a renderer (using your phone as a control and not as the "streamer") you have to use a software called Bubble UPnP.  There's links at Hegel's support page concerning it.