Upgrade ....streamer or amp?


Having decided to keep my Merlin TSM MMs, I was going to upgrade my streamer (Bluesound Node 2 ---original version) and my amp ( Billie....original version). However, recent stock market activity has my IRA in a shambles, so I am only going to upgrade only one of the two. 

Any thoughts on which to start with?  I was considering both the Bluesound Node Icon, and an upgraded Billie (used....after new one comes out)

What say you?

troutbum

You are probably right, but at least I'll go out streaming Van Morrison and Mark Knopfler.

smileyyes

I’m with you there. I am really enjoying listening to music two to three hours a day. My streaming system is as good as my vinyl and CD. Well worth it. I am not familiar with the Billie. But there are some tube amps know to be very synergistic with the speakers. 

 

I am familiar with your speakers. They are worthy of a very good components.

You were gonna cash out your IRA to buy a streamer?? That’s sounds like the worst financial decision of all time... The stocks have not even dropped to the level they were after Trump won the election... Remember after he won the stock market exploded, now it’s barely back to Nov 3rd levels and rising... you only lose money if you panic sell like a fool anyway... They will all be back up higher than ever in a few months anyway..

I would look into getting a Aurender streamer, that was one of the biggest upgrades I ever did. I couldn’t believe how much better everything sounded through it, and I  have hundreds of CDs in full WAV format on its internal SSD which sounds amazing and blows away streaming quality, although streaming is very good with qobuz. My only complaint is that it doesn’t come with a remote, you can only control it with the app and it should have come with a basic play/pause skip tracks buttons.

 

Whoa!,,,,If I only had enough money in my IRA to buy a streamer, I'd probably look at a used pistol with one bullet instead..  I'm 77 and live off my IRA withdrawals. However, when you drop almost $50k in a matter of a week, it does cause you some pause when buying expensive toys you only want..not need. I panicked to some extent in 2008....I won't do it again.

 I'll look into that Aurender. I was going to get the new Bluesound Node Icon. It has gotten very good reviews, and, apparently, the DAC is way above what they had been using. Then, there are those who say just get a separate DAC. Hurts my 77 year old brain.

They will all be back up higher than ever in a few months anyway

suuuure

If things keep going as they are what we have seen so far is only a prelude.. a small blip

yes, I am with @ghdprentice