Recommendations for good sounding streamer


I am looking for a decent sounding streamer without breaking the bank. My daughter has Spotify premium and it would be nice to connect up to my audio system (de Havilland UltraVerve tube preamp, McCormack DNA-1 amp, Martin Logan SL3s).

I mostly listen to vinyl (Pro-ject RPM5) and CDs (Ultech UCD100) using the internal DAC. I do have a V90 DAC however that I used for playing digital from my phone. 

I don't really have the money any more for expensive digital playback. So what a recommendations for bang for the buck system. Could include using my V90 DAC. 

Reading through the forum here it seems that Spotify is not the best quality digital (Tidal seems to come up a lot). But for now we have tons of Spotify playlists - just looking for an affordable way. 

Some considerations:

Bluesound NODE 3

iFi Zen Stream

Any others? Pros/cons?

1trackmind

Showing 3 responses by soix

Can you mention that reason, and why it’s “complete shite” for streaming non Hi-Res files?

@surfmuz Because the OP mentioned the Node 3 and Zen Stream, and next to them the Chromecast Audio is at best a toy. And as Spotify now offers higher-quality streaming options a better streamer would provide meaningful sonic benefits over a toy. That’s why the CC Audio is shite on a relative basis. Also, you can read Darko’s review of streamers where I think he may have compared the CC Audio to the Node and some others and it was complete shite. So yeah, in the context of the question asked by the OP the CC Audio is just not on the same level.

I second a Google Chromecast Audio

@zerofox Uh, no.  Just…no.  It’s complete shite. There’s a reason they don’t make them anymore.  RIP Chromecast Audio.  

I’d recommend the Zen Stream with the caveat that you should run it hardwired from either the router or a Wi-Fi extender as using it over Wi-Fi can have some frustrating connection issues.  I’d also recommend getting one of iFi’s upgraded power supplies if it’s in budget.  If you don’t need the DAC in the Node there’s no reason to pay for it.  I will say iFi’s customer support is non existent if that’s a concern.  Last, forget Tidal and do a trial of Qobuz — many here much prefer it and no need to mess with silly MQA unfolding BS.  Best of luck.