Streamer only

What’s your budget, and are you looking for new or used?

If you want to get into streaming at nominal cost, check out the WiiM Mini (about $100) or the WiiM Pro (about $150) -- both support Qobuz and other streaming services, are very easy to set up and have a good app for your phone for selecting and controlling music. The Mini is optical-out only but the Pro does both optical and coax out (no USB out on either.)  Amazon has both available. (There is also a Pro Plus but you're paying for a nicer built-in DAC which you said you don't need.)

If you decide you need something fancier after that you can upgrade to something audiophile-approved without having spent a bunch of money on round one.  (I use a Mini with a bluetooth speaker in my office for radio and background music, so there is always another use. )

The Raspberry Pi approach is also another alternative (and will do USB out) and can be done for $100 or so, but takes a bit more of a DIY approach.

Thanks for the suggestions. My budget was under 1000 new or used. 

One option would be to get a Bluesound Node for $499 (includes a cheap DAC) and add a Teddy Pardo linear power supply for $395 and you’d have a solid streamer setup for about $800 (note this Node only has an SPDIF digital out — no USB out).  The power supply provides a notable boost in performance and can always be added later.  The Eversolo DMP-A6 is $859 and has a USB out if that’s a concern.  Best of luck. 

Isn’t anybody going to mention that any old PC or Apple computer could act as a streamer?  If your preamp doesn't have a compatible input, you could buy an inexpensive DAC that would take a USB input from the computer. The DAC would then be connected to your preamp / integrated amp.

You’d need software, that would run on the computer, that would supply the appropriate data stream to the DAC. I use Roon. Roon is equipped to receive the digital stream from Qobuz, and pass it along to the DAC. You could copy, or "rip", your CD files directly to your computer’s hard drive.

You can do it!

Innuos has a very nice platform roon not needed and sounds better 

They have for $1600 and a separate lps power supply 

If you want a matching case or buy the linear tube audio lps for $700

A greT setup for the buck.

@jcder

Yes, you / he can do it for a very low sound quality solution. Given his equipment, definitely not a recommended solution.

MOON MIND2

This is the MOON MiND II Network Streaming Music Player. is the perfect link to the modern world of streaming networked music and digital hi-resolution playback of any kind at its pricepoint.

you could plug this into any existing HiFi setup with a suitable DAC and you are immediately up and running.

Using a PC is NOT a low quality solution, especially if the DAC is of reasonably high quality. The signal from the PC to the DAC is digital. A separate streamer is completely unnecessary for signal quality.  

Looks like some excellent options. 

Have owned a bunch (not all) of high end streamers. In my experience Aurender and Innous are top of the heap and the clear leaders in this niche, all things considered. They are different, but both great.

If you have the DAC already and have a home computer, tablet or smart phone, give that a shot. It’s a no cost no brainer to try and compare  especially if you start with a trial subscription to a high res streaming service.

A computer directly to a DAC is almost always a no go. Though I would not be surprised if the latest PlayBack Designs DACs are not affected.

Reason you do not want to hookup a general purpose computer directly to the DAC is that the electrical noise in the computer would travel into the DAC. You want to have a moat around the computer or use a dedicated music server, which is just an audio optimized computer.

I use a general-purpose computer ($500) to run my ROON Core. I also use a Sonore OpticalRendu to provide the moat. The oR uses fibre optic cable which is made of glass and glass cannot carry the noise from the computer, network, printers, security systems, that may be connected to your home computer network.

The OpticalRendu’s can be found for under $1000. Last used one I bought cost me $700. The other parts needed could add about $300-$500 more. This is very high-quality stream.

BTW - If you use ROON with my suggestion you would have a great and easy to use streaming setup.

I just bought Cambridge CXN V2 a week ago for $699. So far, so very good. I did not use the internal DAC. I feed it to external RME ADI-2 DAC and into my Schiit Freya+. And into Parasound A21 with Magnepan LRS+  speakers and dual HSU sub.

Nothing to loose starting out using a device you already have. You can compare that to your sound otherwise via say phono and decide from there. I use all WiFi connections personally. Different steaming apps on the same device alone can make a big difference in sound. As can DACs.  The only way to know is to try listen and compare. Cost alone is often not a good indicator of actual performance.

In addition to the budget examples already cited (e.g., RPi, Wiim), there are a bunch of well regarded products that cost between $400 and $1k.  They include the iFi Zen, the Volumio Rivo, Holo Red, Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra, the Primare Np5, and probably a few others.  I have both an iFi and a Pro-Ject. 

Lumin U1 mini

OP, I tried the Bluesound Node and external LPS with good results. Reliable and easy to use.

Those who have recommended Aurender, Innous, Lumin are ignoring your price constraints. They are double and more your limits.

If your budget is $100 max then you really only have a couple of options. One is the Wiim streamer with the optical out and that will give you the best user experience but your DAC would need to have an optical input. The app interface plays a big part in how you access the music and how much you get out of a streaming service. If your DAC does not have an optical input then USB from a computer is the way to go and all it costs you is a USB cable. You certainly won't be getting anything near the sound quality you would get from a better dedicated streamer but at least you can dip your toes in and see what a service like Qobuz has to offer. Someone suggested a Raspberry Pi but from what I have read, that is not the best option for someone who is not tech savy.  I bet once you try streaming and see how much music it opens up to you, you will likely go up the food chain. Digital streaming has come a long way and is the preferred method of listening to music for many audiophiles these days.

@alvinnir2 He said $1000 not $100.

You get what you pay for… it all depends on how revealing a system you have. 
Auralic makes a fabulous stand alone streamer but not in your price range.  Is there a noticeable difference between a  Wiim pro with an upgraded power supply ( about $550) and. an Ever-solo DMP A6 ($850) yes there is . Great sound comes from reducing jitter and having great clocks in a streamer and it cost $$$. If you choose to use “Roon” which cost a monthly subscription you will have more streaming options.  Blusound X and Eversolo DMP A6 are probably your best choices for around $1000.

pal OP

151 posts

04-02-2024 at 05:38am 

Thanks for the suggestions. My budget was under 1000 new or used. 

Hi @pal I think it’ll be up to you, figuring out whether benefit lies in spending your full budget or 10-20% of it. Here’s why -

Streamer DIY doesn’t require being tech-savvy but if you want fully plug-n-play enough to spend upwards of a grand, maybe the latter is the better route. For an off-the-shelf streamer system (basically a limited-purpose laptop in an AVR-looking chassis with, in some cases, specialized power supply of generally unsubstantiated performance benefits), your main concern should be connectivity (what does your DAC accept - asynchronous USB, TOSLINK, etc.?) and whether you like the on-screen or smartphone app. The OS/software part sometimes gets glazed over because most streamers use a company-made OS (often based on Linux?) and each has to keep theirs up, or else you eventually have a brick of an audio computer.

There is no empirical evidence that a streamer can affect sound quality in an audible way. All support for this belief is anecdotal and generally is held without practicing any proper testing controls. Some folks dislike this notion, but when recommending how a stranger should spend the USD 4-5 figure$ that many file transports now command, I think it’s in order to make clear.

Okay, stepping off that soapbox now 😅

Start with any computer you already have, while you learn more about streamer models within your budget and decide if/which ones are worth trying. Because, well, why wait if it doesn’t cost you anything to start now, hey? 

Aurender N100H are available used for $1200 or so on this site and others. My own ears provide “anecdotal “ evidence of a profound increase in sound quality above using my Mac laptop as a streamer. The difference is stark. I would recommend this as your $1000 solution .

A Bluesound Node w/ a LPS (Small green computer) because the app to run it is easy to use. The App is an important component. This is a bit over 1K and vey good,

I've had several including my PC and MAC as a source (my first source). I've tried some ChiFi (Suncos @ $500) and a sound card plugged into my first decent DAC (PS Audio Perfect Wave).  I got talked into a PS Audio AirLens and have been very happy with it. It's been trouble free unlike my former purchases. 

I think the reason it sounds so good is it's isolation technology. From their website which Audiogoon won't allow links to:

Unfortunately, connecting your sensitive DAC to the noise generated by computers, routers, NAS, local networks, and modems via either WiFi or Ethernet cable is not a great-sounding solution to bringing high-performance audio into your listening environment. The PS Audio AirLens™ completely eliminates the problems of noise, jitter, and EMI influences through complete galvanic isolation and perfect reclocking of the digital audio signal. You’ve not yet heard how great streaming can sound until you experience audio through the AirLens.

Prices have dropped to $1,600 with a free 30 day return policy if you don't like it.  

So far I'm really happy with it. However because the technology obeys Moors Law you can expect 2X the quality at 1/2 the price in 18 months or so.

jallan

248 posts

04-02-2024 at 06:06pm 

Aurender N100H are available used for $1200 or so on this site and others. My own ears provide “anecdotal “ evidence of a profound increase in sound quality above using my Mac laptop as a streamer. The difference is stark. I would recommend this as your $1000 solution .

Heyya @jallan which gen is that Mac laptop? There are reported audio issues with certain M-gen(s) processors. Beyond smartphones I absolutely eschew the Mac OS so have no personal experience in that particular regard.

Very well could be a real life experience, whatchya describe. That’s the discrepancy between individual/personal experience and demonstrated pattern through controlled investigation.

In any case, if OP already has a Mac (or PC), tries it first, then gets a $1K USD streamer and perceives the latter as better, where exactly does the issue lay? 😉

Node 2i is an excellent product but it’s really designed to be used with its analog outputs. It will likely beat everything in its price category especially given its fantastic app. A pleasure to use, speaking from experience. However, if you can stretch your budget by 200 bucks for a used entry level USB based Aurender, it will be a major jump up in performance without a doubt. Its app is also proven to work well. The beauty about Aurneder is that its software and hardware built together in the same factory, a huge advantage and their entry level products are just as well engineered as their higher priced products. That should put you on a good path in your journey to music appreciation.  

My NODE N130 has USB out. I use it every day.

ifi makes a streamer that is in the $300 range that’s excellent, and will give you enough of a savings to purchase a nice ethernet cable and or usb cable to round out a really high performing unit for very little money. I have one mated with their dac in one of my vintage systems and I’m astounded by it’s performance for the money. IMO it out performs the Node. Hope this helps.  

Ifi steamers sound great when they work….

I can vouch for the Project Stream Box S2 Ultra.

A very good streamer, reasonably priced, that performs above its price point.

I'm looking at upgrading in the future, but will have to spend more than double the cost for a reasonable improvement.

Why are we trying to put bias ply tires on a Ferrari? You have good equipment don’t let your fear of the unknown prevent you from wasting your money. Save your nickels and get a quality streamer. I am a INNUOS fanboy but The aurender crowd is popular here too. 

@benanders , my laptop is about 5 years old, I bought it specifically to drive my Schiit Yggdrasil as it used SSD instead of a disk drive and I used it solely with battery power. I was stunned by the increase in low level information, especially allowing me to hear overtones and spatial information. I essentially parked my turntable after getting the Aurender. I must say that the result was exactly as my dealer predicted- Jeff Fox, owner of Command Performance, and Jon Archer had both told me about their own extensive journeys trying to make commercial computers into streamers, with Jon having worked extensively souping up a Mac Mini (my original attempt as well).

As they both predicted, the Aurender was astonishingly better!

@benanders , my laptop is about 5 years old, I bought it specifically to drive my Schiit Yggdrasil as it used SSD instead of a disk drive and I used it solely with battery power. I was stunned by the increase in low level information, especially allowing me to hear overtones and spatial information. I essentially parked my turntable after getting the Aurender. I must say that the result was exactly as my dealer predicted- Jeff Fox, owner of Command Performance, and Jon Archer had both told me about their own extensive journeys trying to make commercial computers into streamers, with Jon having worked extensively souping up a Mac Mini (my original attempt as well).

As they both predicted, the Aurender was astonishingly better!

I will also give a shoutout to the Bluesound Node. I find the Aurender finicky when power is lost or the internet goes down and up. It sometimes requires multiple rebooting and needs to restore itself. This can result in a 20 minute or so delay in getting music. The Bluesound software is more robust and the unit actually sounds pretty good. I use it in my bedroom stereo with a $100 power cord.

If 585 is Roon ready you may not need a streamer to try out streaming with Qobuz. You’ll need a computer where you can install Roon and make that your core machine. Free trial for 30 days. Yes additional subscription cost after but at this price point you’ll most likely not find anything that will beat this both sonically and from the UI standpoint.

If the 585 isn’t roon ready or you don’t want to go the Roon route, and or you still want a dedicated streamer, you can try Lumin U1 Mini around $1000 used. Here’s one example.
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650088998-lumin-u1-mini-streamer/
 

@gkelly.  +2.  Someone running Levinson electronics should buy something better grade.  Lumin, Innuous or comparable or you will be upgrading soon.

@hilde45 Oops, I misread the $1000. LOL Do you remember the character from the old days of SNL, Roseanne Roseanadanna.  " I thought you said xxxx, never mind"

@pal If you have an apple iPAD or iPhone you can go USB into the 585 and use the native Qobuz app to test out streaming to see if you like it before letting the peoples here talk you into spending a wad of cash just because you got a nice integrated.  Then when you want crank the nob on SQ go for the suggestion provided.  

Orchard audio has an excellent Streamer for $1,200 and it also has an excellent internal DAC  I would be surprised if the Orchard audio DAC didn't out perform the DAC you have i your intergrated amplifier  Orchard Audio has a 30 day trial period Also you could call Leo (owner) at Orchard Audio 

If you are just starting out with streaming, and want to get in under $1,000 here are some decent choices;

Bluesound Node - Make sure it is the 3rd generation "Node 130" or Node X, as the older Node 2 and 2i do not have USB output.....they have the connector, but USB is not activated. Several have mentioned a linear power supply, and I agree. I currently still use a Node 130 with LHY linear power supply, and a Denarips Iris DDC to great results. A Node 130 can be found used for under $400, and the LHY LPS would add $279. The Node software is some of the best available, and you can probably sell the Node 130/LHY LPS for not much less than you bought it for

Eversolo DMP-A6 is well thought of, and can be upgraded with an LHY LPS if you wish to extract more sound quality later.....about $850 new, and really hard to find used. I'd read some reviews there.

You've already got some other excellent recommendations. I will eventually upgrade my Node 130/LHY LPS/Iris DDC at some point.....but I find no need to do so immediately, I really do like this combo

@randalljkrebs1 Never had a problem with mine. I’ve had more problems with BlueSound Nodes and I’m not knocked them. I don’t think you can beat the ifi streamer at that price point. Just my opinion and I have an Esoteric Network player in my main system. 

To the OP:  Beware those who try to shame you into spending a lot on a streamer simply because you've got a lot invested in other parts of your system.  The logic only holds if one believes there are material differences in the sound of streamers.  That is itself a somewhat controversial topic, which has been discussed and argued about on this forum and others ad nauseum. 

Let me know if you're interested in educating yourself further on this topic; I would be happy to point you to several other threads where both sides of the issue are explained pretty comprehensively.  As you could probably guess, my own view is that streaming is an area where the greatest amount of misinformation and overspending is occurring these days.  (And for the record, I've been streaming since 2004.) 

@alvinnir2 I do! She was great. In a way, I liked the typo, because there are streaming options for $100. Not great, but doable. Viz., 

https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/how-to-build-your-own-low-cost-high-performance-streamer/

LUMIN U1 mini. Find one on the used market. The Lumin app is worth the price of admission.

I have the Innuos Pulse Mini that is a Streamer-Only. I sought the same for the reasons you’ve indicated. My Pre-Amp and DAC are Naim and I really appreciate that sound. The Innuos Sense App is hard to beat. The quality of music complements the Naim Pre-Amp and is certainly a step above Bluesound and others in the sub $1,000 category [Most of which also have a DAC therein which diminishes the $$ going towards your goal / pursuit]. The Pulse Mini runs for about $1,500. I also have the Innuos LPS that can work with either the Innuos Zen Mini or the Pulse Mini.

You can isolate your DAC from your computer quite easily.  The majority of the the noise generated by the computer is in  the power line that runs side by side with the data lines inside the cable.

A simple $5 USB adapter that removes the power from the cable and a powered USB hub does the trick for me.  With the proper  playback software my USB PC sounds better than the PI2AES using AES / EBU, I2s or coax.

@soix 

I have a Node 130 and use the USB output to my DAC; two other posts mention the same thing.  You repeatedly have said the Node lacks the USB output, which only applied to older versions of the Node.

@pal 

I recently added a Teddy Pardo linear power supply to my Node, and it fleshed out the tone of instruments, added more power to the bass and reduced the slightly grainy textures of some content.  The Node by itself was quite listenable, though.  I would concur with others that a used Node 130 with an external power supply would be a great way to get a streamer within your budget that would perform above its cost. 

I haven't used other streamers, so I have no direct experience with other streamers' user interfaces, but I concur with others that the BluOS is quite good and is operated from an iPhone app.  Also, the Node is really designed for wi-fi streaming and allows you to see the strength of the wi-fi signal it receives, which is very useful since a strong signal is needed for optimal streaming of hi-res files.  Last night it showed me an unusually weak signal, so it took just a minute to reboot the Node by one touch of my iPhone, and that greatly increased the signal strength.  This occurs rarely, and only one reboot is generally needed.

The BluOS is supposed to allow you to add audio files from a hard drive to your BluOS library so you can use the BluOS to control listening to those files.  This is one area where the BluOS has not worked well for me.  It took hours with customer support to get that to work, and then it didn't last long.