2. digital
  3. 181196-34300

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 2 responses by tjag

tjag
131 posts
 

I use the ifi Zen Streamer and it sounds good when powered by a good supply. The streamer has low noise in the output. Yet it still will benefit from a USB Isolator (powered by a good supply).

Avoid the Bluesound.

Why? It is all over the net. Check this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PP1Zsh078nU

I believe surfmuz is right, if you use Spotify then no need to waste money.

 

tjag
131 posts
 

The Chromecast Audio 30-40$

Bluesound Node  500$

Zen Stream 400$

These are just basic streamers, some are better than the other. Buy used.

Which one to choose depends on what demands you have from the system and what upgrade plans you have for the future. 

 

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