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Newbie Looking for Advice on Streaming Music

Hello Audiogon world.

I am new to this hobby but I think it will suit me well as it looks like it is an endless pursuit of perfection of sound without ever really getting there.  I love the endless possibilities, difference in thought, technology driven aspect mixed with old school art.

I am in the process of building my first 2 channel set up and recently picked up a Primaluna Dialogue HP and a pair of Sonus Faber Chameleons for starters.

Im looking to stream music from Tidal to the new equipment as simple as possible without compromising sound as much as I possibly can (budget permitting of course)

I have been doing some research and I must say this part of the equation is rather confusing with a lot of technical speak that gets brought into the discussion which is a bit overwhelming for a newbie trying to soak it all in.

Do I need to purchase a high quality DAC?
Can I just buy a streaming box like the Paradigm PW Link or Def Tech W Adapt and hook it into the Primaluna?
Do I go with the Halide Design DAC HD D/A Converter from computer straight into Primaluna?
I also read about the wyred4sound modified Sonos Connect.  Does that plus into a DAC or straight into Amp?

Apologies for all the newbie questions.  I did try searching and doing some research but found myself getting confused.  If someone could help me clear up what I will need that will set me on the path to researching the best value for my budget for each component I will need to accomplish my goals of streaming my music from Tidal.

Thanks in advance.  I think this will be a fun hobby!

Don

donblackie

Showing 12 responses by donblackie

donblackie OP
13 posts
 
Thank you Mesch.  I did stumble across Bluesound.  If that is the recommended streamer for higher fidelity systems that makes it nice and easy.

Question, if all it takes is a $500 box, why are there DACs out there that cost $20K+?  What do those do? (just for my own education)

Thanks!

Don

donblackie OP
13 posts
 
Thanks jl35

Looks like the Oppo Sonica might be the sweet spot?  Looks like I can hook up my laptop and stream from Tidal.  Is the level of component appropriate for the amp and speakers I have already purchased?
donblackie OP
13 posts
 
Jond

Understood and I appreciate the point you are making which is "good sound" is all relative.  I guess what I am trying to figure out is, what is the appropriate level of component to pair with the stuff I have already purchased?

Is hooking up a bluesound appropriate for the amp and speaker combo I have?

The other hobby I have is race cars.  Id align this with putting a set up cheap tires on a high performance car. 
If you had a honda civic, you could go with budget tires.  
If you have a mercedes, you could go with mid range tires
If you have a ferrari, you more than likely want to go with high end tires.

Is my gear I already purchased the honda civic, the mercedes or somewhere in between? 

Should I invest my money first in a good quality DAC first (for which I can hook up a laptop to) then look for a streaming box after? 

Thanks for the advice thus far.  Im learning a ton

Don
 
donblackie OP
13 posts
 
Thanks for all the great recommendations and conversation.

Im thinking I'll start buy buying a chromecast audio (super cheap) and can get music from the internet out of my amp to start.  Then I can do more research to figure out which DAC I can pair with the other equipment.

A friend recommended I look at PS Audio Direct Stream Junior. 
Any thoughts on how this will pair with the equipment I have?



donblackie OP
13 posts
 
Thanks JL35

I seems like the PS Audio can also be used as a pre amp.
So technically I can later on exchange my integrated primaluna for monoblocks behind the PS Audio.  Is that an option/good idea?

Thanks

Don

donblackie OP
13 posts
 
@willemj 
I appreciate all your input as well as everyone else's on this thread.  I used your input to make my next move.

I went ahead and purchased the following:

Google Chromecast Audio
PS Audio Directstream Junior DAC

Toslink full to mini cable as I didnt want to mess with hard wiring my DAC to my network and will use chromecast to connect it.

Will plug this into the PrimaLuna to start and go from there.

donblackie OP
13 posts
 
@willemj 

It was a toss up for me between the oppo sonica and the PS Audio Jr
What are your thoughts pros/cons on the jr?


donblackie OP
13 posts
 
@uberwaltz  I think I might be going down the same path in the future
The DAC I purchased has balanced outputs.
donblackie OP
13 posts
 
@marktomaras 
Thanks!  I have no feedback yet on the configuration since everything is still en route to me.  Im literally that new to this hobby.  Im sure anything will sound nicer than my 2 sonos Play speakers I currently use to listen to spotify :)

Good info on the bridge.  I was under the impression I needed to use the RJ45 port on the DAC and hardwire that into my network.  Everything in my house is Wireless, router is in a closet and the stereo is going in an area that would be difficult to drop ethernet cable into.

But now I see what you are saying.  Plug my macbook into the bridge (easy to do) and control the playlist via roon or tidal app.  Makes sense.  Would be nice to have a solution to where I dont have to plug in my laptop.  Thats where I was thinking the chromecast could come in handy?
donblackie OP
13 posts
 
@audioengr 
Steve

Thanks for all of your input in this thread.  Can you let me know where I can read more about your wifi solution you mention above?

Thanks

Don

donblackie OP
13 posts
 
@audioengr 
Understood.  You seem like someone that is very passionate about this stuff.  I like to read about things I am buying so I can understand them better.  Understand that you might not be marketing this as a product.  If you plan to in the future, put out some literature and let me know so I can do some studying on it before I purchase.

Thanks!

Don

donblackie OP
13 posts
 
@marktomaras 
I just purchased another beacon with a ethernet port for my mesh wireless network and will plug that into the power near my rack and run a short cat run to the DSJ.
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