2. digital
  3. 181325-2589

wanting to take a digital step

hello, more lately I have been discovering artists on Bandcamp and elsewhere who don't put things out on vinyl. More often new things I have bought on vinyl don't always sound that great.  so with that I want to try a cheap set up of some kind to listen from my laptop connected to my system. I did have some cheap $10 interconnects that did the job, barely. just wondering what some digital vets would suggest. Any simple decent solutions for say <500 that would be ok? I have tried looking on different threads and it got confusing. Do I get a cheap CD player or some kind of better set of interconnects to listen from a laptop. I just don't know.  thank you.

fourwnds

Showing 3 responses by fuzztone

fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,638 posts
 

It’s possible to stream Band’s Campout (Bandcamp) from a stand alone source at your budget. BUT, it’s probably too much work for you. Meanwhile just hook up your headphone jack to your stereo. Any further improvements to PC sound are not budget friendly (in terms of SQ gains/$.)  I know from years of experience.

Anyone who extolls PC SQ has not heard non PC SQ.

fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,638 posts
 

A cheap stand alone network player will sound better than a "DAC on a PC." My Schiit DAC did not last 3 years (on a PC), not repairable by them. What you really need is a used Bluesound 2i. After that and only after you will consider a better DAC for an upgrade.

Been there

fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,638 posts
 

Another question about the streamer option, will I be able to stream music stored on my laptop or just from my phone or iPad?

@fourwnds 

 

You have to setup your PC as a server and stream from it using DNLA, on the streamer aka network player or renderer. I have gotten much better SQ copying the files to an SSD in a case. Then plug it into a USB-A jack. Try it first with a flash drive IMHO any streamer lacking at least one USB-A female input jack is not worth owning. At least Bluesound has always had that. Just steer clear of wifi with it. You control with the phone (or tablet, think mobile) app. Of course you still need a network. If your provider is ComCrap know that "no internet, no music control." For that reason I have been doing the majority of my "local" listening via a Topping M50 It plays SSDs, flash drives and a micro SD card. I can control sans a network and even delete tracks live, with or w/o the remote. Just no folder diving, a major miss for ALL non network players.

Speaking of remotes, for me controlling inputs remotely is much more enjoyable than having "the best" DAC. You have years of musical enjoyment before you have to worry about THAT.

​You do not want to stream from a mobile device. Usually bad sound and when you move it away the music stops. You want them for control only. A streamer is a dedicated computer source. It is not a hub as you seem to imagine. And keep your laptop away from your hifi.

I pay under $11/ month for Obuz, the best.

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