Streamer only


I am not tech savvy and I have a DAC already in my integrated amp.I just wanted to try streaming. I would like to use Qobuz and need to purchase a streamer. I don’t need the dac included within the unit. I hate to pay a large amount for a unit that has a high quality DAC included. Are there any high quality streamers where I am not paying for the higher quality DAC included in the unit? My system is a Levinson 585 and Acendo C8 R speakers. 

Ag insider logo xs@2xpal

Showing 2 responses by mdalton

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. 

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.)