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new to streaming- help!

Hi all-

I'm a long time audiophile but have always gone the cd/vinyl route.  I am trying streaming but having trouble setting up a Bluesound Node X.  Something about my wifi it doesn't like...I am enjoying Tidal on my Macbook, however.  Which brings me to a question.  Would I get better sound quality anyway if I just connected my laptop to an external dac?  Should I scrap the Blue Sound?  And if go that route, does it matter if I have my laptop connected to ethernet, or will sound quality be the same on either ethernet or wifi?  (Asssuming a cable from MAC to DAC...).

Alternatively, would it make sense to run Tidal from Ipad to DAC? Or does one need  a streamer like Blue sound to do that?

I'm sure this will get sorted out, but feeling slightly overwhelmed at the moment.

Thanks!

Margot

mcanaday

Showing 1 response by carlsbad2

carlsbad2's avatar
carlsbad2
2,023 posts
 

It has been a long time since I graduated from the bluesound node to a standalone streamer and DAC.  

I remember there were a few things that tripped me up.  

First don't try to do it wireless.  Plug it into the internet.  then you know you have internet.  If you want to go wireless, you can do that aferyou get it working (but wired is better sound).

Second, use the RCA outputs to your pre-in on your amp or to an input on your preamp.  

If you have a seperate DAC, you will want to use the optical output.  Unfortunately, the USB port on the back is not an output but an input for firmware changes, IIRC.

Good luck. Streaming is the way to go.  I just upgraded to my 3rd post Bluesound streamer with a pricetag an order of magnitude higher.  and your DAC will become the heart of your system and you'll want the best one you can afford.

Jerry

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