Newbie Looking for Advice on Streaming Music

As I said above, a DAC with a variable ouput is a perfect pre amplifier, but many do not have analogue inputs. I don't care, but others do. If you go that route, all you need is a power amplifier. Many of these DACs will have balanced ouputs, and if that is what you have, get a power amplifier that also has balanced connections. My preference is for beefy solid state amps. The more power the better, and solid state amps usually perform rather better/more neutral under real speaker loads (see the graphs in Stereophile). Beefy solid state power amps do not need to cost an arm and a leg.

Great questions and feedback! I’ve been also investigating ways to make better use of my Tidal subscription and hopefully implement a Roon system.

i look forward to hearing more as I’m in a similar search.... 

Here's some feedback on one possible solution...Oppo Sonica...

I currently have an Oppo Sonica DAC that I’m trying. The sound is very good (I’m not an expert but have dabbled for years including some pretty decent stuff - Bryston SP1 and SP1.7, Legacy-Audio, others).

The Sonica sounds good, seems well made, is good looking and somewhat easy to setup... in my humble opinion, the Sonica app, sucks. It often (mysteriously) won’t/can’t play tracks - which if I switch over to just the Tidal app on my iPad or streaming thru my Sonos Connect play just fine... at times it will say "can’t play song, skipping to next song" or some such message and skip thru 20 songs or more at a time.... other user interface issues abound... also, they have no plans to be Roon ready, if that matters... 

Good luck with your search! I too look forward to hearing the advice of the knowledgeable members here.

Dave

I, too, was overwhelmed by the digital/streaming move.
I wanted to get the best sound for the least money (don't we all?).
I ended up buying a pair of Bluesound Node (1's), and using an Ayre Codex for a DAC.
The Nodes allow me to have wireless connectivity throughout my home, while the Codex upgrades the sound reproduction. The nice thing about Ayre is that they usually offer upgrades to their products. (Which leads me to recommend another manufacturer-Schiit. A Gungnir or Yggy are fairly comparable to the Ayre. Schiit also offers upgrades, when available).
Okay, so if you are on a tight budget and can buy used.
A Bluesound Node (1) on Ebay is about $250 and an Ayre Codex can be had for about $1400, sometimes less.
For less than $2K, you'll have a really good setup that should be upgradable, too. DAC technology is moving fast, which is why I don't believe in spending big bucks on these units.
And, all the companies mentioned have great customer service.
Bob

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

the PS is a very good product...your gear is good and deserves a good source...

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?

music direct has the bluesound node for less than $300 and would be my recommendation

the Oppo and Bluesound are readably available used and easy to resell.  The Wyrd4 Sonos is rare used...

@donblackie  

I've always stretched my budget for the best tires and brakes (for the application / use) on my cars, budget or otherwise.

Since it is the 'missing' component in your chain, I recommend (as with tires) putting as much as you can on a standalone DAC. It is a foundational component and you can stream direct from your laptop initially (and add mini components to clean the signal for not much of a spend).

I thoroughly can recommend Bluesound but depending what you want to do as well, you might want to look at the Vault 2. This can store your entire cd collection on its built in hard drive as well as streaming not only Tidal but most other popular streaming services AND internet radio stations.
Best of all in my opinion you can control it direct from your phone (android or iPhone) or tablet/ipad. You will need a Tidal account obviously at either $10 or $20 a month depending on quality of resolution of files. You do not even need Tidal app, just the Blusound app to stream all services.
You have a choice of digital output (coax or toslink) and analog output.
Many other choices out there for sure but if you have the slightest possible need to rip your cd collection and store them as well then this is a superb all in one solution at about $1000 online.
Good luck!

You will need two things, and sometimes they come in one box. You will need a streaming device and a DAC. Simple to use streaming devices could be an Apple Airport Express, a Sonus Connect or a Google Chromecast Audio. Personally I prefer these units to dedicated audiophile streamers because these three are from brands with such a market penetration that each and every streaming service will have to provide an App - you are not locked in. These three all have an inbuilt DAC, and to be honest pretty good ones. So you could start with them and use their internal DACs first, to see if you like the system. In my own case, I use Chromecast Audio players in a number of diferent set ups, and I am rather pleased. Even in my main system with Quad 2805 electrostats the sound is very good. This of course is not surprising, given the excellent measured results with 16/44 (i.e cd quality) recordings. See here for measurements: http://archimago.blogspot.nl/2016/02/measurements-google-chromecast-audio.html
The Airport Express measures similarly well, but it is perhaps slightly less convenient because it needs continued contact with your tablet or smartphone: http://www.kenrockwell.com/apple/airport-express-audio-quality-2014.htm
If you think you can get better audio quality, you can get a DAC with optical input (all three streamers that I mentioned have optical outputs as well and produce bitperfect and hence identical digital output). Here, the sky is the limit, but the million dollar question is whether you will hear the difference, as differences will be minute at best. The Pioneer U-05 would be a very good DAC at a reasonable price, the Benchmark DAC 3 defines the high end of the market, and an Oppo UD 205 UHD Bluray player may be a very practical option, as it combines pre amplifier, UHD multi format disc player and DAC with external inputs. If you also want digital room equalization the new DSpeaker Antimode X4 will give you that, plus automatic crossover setting between main speakers and subwoofers. All four of these DACs have variable outputs (i.e. a volume control) so they can serve as pre amplifiers, but not all of them still have analogue inputs for legacy gear like turntables.
But if I compare the sound quality of even the analogue output of a Chromecast Audio with that of a good turntable like my Linn Sondek LP12, it is obvious that the 16/44 stream is far superior.

I also have the Wyrd4 Sonos and it is excellent , but does need a DAC...Sonos has a great user interface and very easy to set up

Blue Sound is one option. There are many. 

Auralic has reduced pricing on their current new units (new releases on the way) so you could step up from the mini and get a unit with the DAC built in.

There are many terrific DACs on the market, at very reasonable prices, should you want a stand alone DAC.

I'd look at this as the start of a journey. You'll decide how far and deep you go. I'd be super excited, and it sounds like you are! Welcome to Audiogon.

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?

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
 

Oppo Sonica

Don it's one thing to get music out of a "box" and another to have it sound good. Many devices, the Blue Sound Node, I use an Auralic Aries Mini, will output sound, a good DAC will make that sound better. And presumably $20K DACs sound amazing but nothing you need to worry about, there are tons of DACs out there at a variety of price ranges.

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

Look up Bluesound Node 2 online.