2. digital
  3. 153517-3293

OK, Streamers: "Head" units only...?

Saw a post the opther day that made sense.
"Dont want your DAC or your hard drive or your CD burner...."

This guy just wants the "BEST" (and most cost-effective) way to get files from streaming services or your existing ripped library over to the DAC that he's already happy with. No NAS, No this, no that...

Me, too!

My evolution has gone from: Apple TV to Bluesound to my Chord Qutest. It sounds great and I should stop here....right...?

So, what are the units out there that JUST STREAM well and at the "highest quality" without blowing a hole in your budget. Sure, every problem gets solved if I throw $10K at it.

But, what about between Bluesound and, say, $2,500....what is out there that doesn't have a DAC or any other features. Just a good app and a high quality stream.

BTW, why would it be any better than Bluesound. 
ianrmack

Showing 2 responses by veroguy

veroguy
137 posts
 
A couple more dedicated streamers:

Bel Canto e.One Stream - $1595
SimAudio Moon Mind2 - $1900
DCS Network Bridge - $4750

Last summer, I had reached out to the designer/owner of my dac (Mojo Mystique v3) to ask a question about the outputs. He asked about my source, and when I mentioned that I was using a modded Sonos Connect, he replied that I was only getting probably 40% of his DAC’s capabilities.

Thus started a long conversation on digital servers, streamers, power supplies, ethernet filtering, cabling, switches, etc.

I eventually bought a used DCS Network Bridge and did a number of additional upgrades to power, filtering, and cables on the network front end. (FWIW, a straight swap-out of the DCS in place of the Sonos was a surprising revelation in improved SQ on its own.)

In my system, all these changes were an upgrade in SQ. Ben at Mojo Audio was right. There are of course diminishing returns in cost, but I have no regrets.

For you Deezer users out there, the SimAudio Moon Mind2, NAD M50.2, and DCS Network Bridge support native Deezer streaming. They are the only higher tier products I’ve found that support it.


veroguy
137 posts
 
@crn3371 , I couldn't find much on the Mind2 either.  Member fpeel has 2 of them, and gave a good review vs Blousound node here:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/bluesound-node-2/post?postid=1716588#1716588

Another option is the Metrum Ambre Roon Endpoint at $1200.  It doesn't have native streaming apps, but you could stream Tidal and Qobuz via the ambre if you got Roon.  Reviews are generally positive.

I was really close to getting the Lumin U1 mini, but it didn't have deezer support.  I've read that the Sbooster connection kit and power supply bring it to another level.




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