Pricewise, Node 2i + RME ADI-2 DAC makes most sense, only around $1,600 together, and one ends up with a good streamer with good enough functionality and interface, while the RME provides hard to beat sound.
Streaming for beginner
I have a PS Audio front end-- DMP disc player and DirectSteam DAC. Very happy with the resolution and performance, especially from my redbook cd collection. For those familiar with the DSD, it is upgradable via a network bridge card to become a dedicated streamer. When I bought this DAC, I was looking ahead to an eventual migration to streaming.
I also have a Spotify account, that currently only serves me as a companion to my iPhone during walks and exercise.
My question: assume my goal is to stream for convenience, simplicity, and achieve audio quality that equals or surpasses that of redbook cd’s. I am not looking to purchase music or download it for storage. What am I missing? I also have a dedicated iPad that can serve as the interface to the DAC/Streamer. Spotify also claims that streaming in high resolution is available on my account. Do I need anything else? Am I oversimplifying this?
I am a beginner when it comes to streaming, so please answer in simple terms since I will not be familiar with a lot of the services and components mentioned elsewhere in these forums. In fact, confusing enough for me that it is forcing me to ask here.
I also have a Spotify account, that currently only serves me as a companion to my iPhone during walks and exercise.
My question: assume my goal is to stream for convenience, simplicity, and achieve audio quality that equals or surpasses that of redbook cd’s. I am not looking to purchase music or download it for storage. What am I missing? I also have a dedicated iPad that can serve as the interface to the DAC/Streamer. Spotify also claims that streaming in high resolution is available on my account. Do I need anything else? Am I oversimplifying this?
I am a beginner when it comes to streaming, so please answer in simple terms since I will not be familiar with a lot of the services and components mentioned elsewhere in these forums. In fact, confusing enough for me that it is forcing me to ask here.
Showing 8 responses by ghjuvanni
"The H360 incorporates a high quality DAC, using Hegel’s proprietary re-clocking. The benefit of this is that we can make everyday sources sound really good. Sources like a phone or a computer. This is why we have also included functionality like Apple AirPlay and DLNA streaming. There is also a reference class USB input, supporting all formats including native DSD64 and DSD128." https://www.hegel.com/products/discontinued/h360 |
Can't agree with @bobby1945 "Don't believe all this nonsense about how easy this streaming is . Dropping a pick up onto a record was easy - digital streaming requires a significant amount of effort to get an equivalent SQ." You can just start with Node 2i or even Fiio M11, Qobuz free trial, and off you go -- browsing through 200,000+ CD and HiRes albums; let's see how bobby1945 catches up with his SQ and ease of use :-) You need nothing else from his post. As I write this I am listening to today's new albums (some 30 new albums are released each Friday) from Qobuz app on my Fiio M11 connected with $30 coax cable to RME ADI-2 DAC powering beyerdynamic Amiron Home headphones. Trust me -- I couldn't be happier. In fact, I could listen to just the Fiio w/o external DAC and I did in the past for a long time. |
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-resolution_audio#Controversy In my own practice, I can not say that HiRes makes a difference to me. They both sound excellent and then I concentrate on the music itself. Psychologically, it makes a difference though and for 'bragging rights' I prefer HiRes -- warm and fuzzy feeling of getting The Best :-) |