Upgrade system to stream Tidal


Greetings All,

Would like to upgrade my current 10 year old system ( denon receiver, paradigm Monitor 9 floorstanding speakers)

Thinking about Cambridge cx 81 paired with Wharfdale Evo 4.3...Would I need a separate streamer to stream Tidal from my phone or laptop. Budget is around $3000-3500. Any suggestion would be welcome. Please tell me your honest opinion and what I need to know.

most respectfully,

Tony 

tboy

@tboy Looks like the Cambridge has a built in DAC + Bluetooth, so I’m not sure you need a dedicated streamer.  You could probably stream off a laptop perhaps? If not, would suggest something like a Bluesound Node 2.

Use the available free trial periods to test out Tidal and Qobuz streaming via your laptop.  Configure  the apps to use exclusive mode access to your USB port. 

Then, try a free trial with Audirvana (software that optimizes your laptop for streaming) to run Tidal and Qubuz as instances in Audirvana.  

It may sound complicated, but all three are menu driven, well documented and rather easy to set up.  

This may likely give you all you need for now, and at the very least will give you good a basis for comparison - at a very low cost!

 

I recommend Aurender for a streamer and Qobuz, not Tidal. It makes a difference. I would recommend an Aurender N100. I own one as well as their flagship W20SE. They are leagues above PCs, and iPads as streamers. With this, you can evaluate your DAC. The Aurender will assure you you have an excellent source. They are like the turntable of the digital world. You need and excellent source if you want great output. 

I have streamed everything from an iPod, iPad, PC, MAC, Aurlic Aries G2, and several Aurenders. You want a high quality streamer. You can see my system under my User ID.

I suggest stepping up to Cambridge’s EVO 75 for simplicity and high quality streaming. The built-in StreamMagic appears to offer much better solution than any other external streaming device or laptop. 

 

A Raspberry PI and the best DAC you can afford will give the best chance of competing with your current source.  What about the paradigm Monitor 9s do  you no longer  like?