Streaming Spotify

Too answer your question in a very general sense - 

Phone DAC - if you can, definitely move to a high end DAC over the one in your phone.    Keep in mind it mpeg music is what the phone designers figured would be the most common format.

Bypass Preamp - if you don't need the controls and the external DAC has a volume control option, then you can easily bypass it.

Preamp DAC - some do, some don't.   Check your owners manual to be sure.

Hmm. Today streaming can sound better than red book CDs and certainly FM tuners. The advantage is a nearly infinite music library and  low cost ($14.99 / month). The best streaming service for high quality sound right now is Qobuz, and secondarily Tidal. To do this a high quality streamer (think Aurender) and DAC is required. This can be a single box with both DAC and Streamer (think Aurender) or a separate Streamer and DAC . One can use a PC or iPad as a streamer, but that is not as high quality as a separate (no, a PC are not as good).
 

So streaming can be as good as other digital sources or even analog, but it requires carefully choosing and investing in a streamer and a DAC, and with carefull research, you get what you pay for. So if your preamp cost $2k and your amp cost $2K you should think of investing $2K in a streamer and $2K in a DAC and your jaw will drop, you will have access to basically all music and you will be amazed. 

Thanks for your response. Here’s something else concerning streaming with a DAC: the connection to the amp. Since the amp inputs are connected to the pre-amp, would I have to choose which music input -- preamp or dac.

OR is there another solution that gives me the flexibility?

Yes.

Yes.

If you don’t know all hope is lost. My previous one did. I didn’t like it.

If you want decent sound lose the phone and get a dedicated player

Streamer —> DAC —> preamp —> amp —> speakers.

or

Streamer/DAC —> preamp —> amp —> speakers

While theoretically one could output DAC to amp. Well, let’s just say except for a very few people with incredible dedication and desire to do it. Keeping a preamp in the middle will result in the very best sound.

Since you are talking about Spotify, I wouldn’t sweat it. It’s lossy audio so what does it matter?

Generally audiophiles prefer Qobuz first and then Tidal. I had Tidal for a year or so, my audio guy persistently pestered me to switch to Qobuz… I did, he was right.

First, if you’re not willing to upgrade your music subscription to Qobuz don’t bother as Spotify is a lossy, crap source and nothing can save it.  And yes, if you upgrade your streaming service you’ll need a separate DAC to get decent sound.  Next, do you need wireless control or can you go wired from your cell to a DAC?  If it’s the latter I have some good suggestions, but if wireless a Node 2i might be your best bet from a cost/benefit perspective, but you’ll still eventually want a better separate DAC if you want better sound. Hope this helps, and best of luck. 

Happy holidays all> Thanks for explanations and tips.

Of all the audiophile hardware, the DAC has the least impact on your listening experience. With the right settings, a DAC will improve your Spotify listening experience. If your listening device (phone, computer, etc.) has a poor internal DAC that introduces a lot of static or noise, then an external DAC may be a much needed upgrade. If you want to stream Spotify to any device, you will need to convert Spotify songs to a format using a third party tool such as AudFree Spotify Music Converter.