What are you using as a streamer? Constructive feedback please.


Wondering what improvements I can made to my streaming end and what you all are using.

Not looking to rip CDs and I mostly listen to vinyl.

System right now is:

Node 2 (latest version used streaming only with Roon)

Bel Canto e.One ref DAC 2.7

Bel Canto e.One ref CD3t Transport.

Bel Canto e.One ref 501S (best Class D to date to ever grace my system)

Mini GaN 5 ( had to try it and swap it in and out)

AM Qualiton X200 Tube Integrated (love it and gets most use)

QLN Prestige 5 Speakers.

All cables and wires are Signal Cable.

Appreciate the constructive feedback.

Have a great day.

 

 

128x128jerryg123

in my view, it's best to have the streamer and DAC as one unit so the signal path is shorter (no cables needed) and no conversion of  the signal which remains as I2S.

The best music server is a Roon nucleus (or cheaper copy) with LPS.

Do streamers actually make an audible difference? So far I have been pretty happy with the Raspberry Pi 4 streamer I built for about $60 earlier this year. I stream Qobuz via Volumio for RPi4  using USB connection to my Chord Hugo DAC. Other than maybe improving the player interface I doubt that I will get more out of my system from spending 10 times what I paid for my streamer. 

I am currently using a BlueSound Node 2i.  I am working with a knowledgeable sales person at The Cable Company and he convinced me to purchase a power cable and digital cable and us the DAC inside my ARCAM AVR550 because he said the DAC inside my ARCAM is of much higher quality.  I am still nervous about giving up MQA.  He told me MQA is primarily a marketing tool and the sound difference will be noticeable by adding the cables I ordered.  I am still waiting for delivery.  

 

I have not had the ability to hear other streamers costing so much more.  I wonder if you can really hear a difference in some costing $2,000 to $3,000.  If so, what will I hear that will be significantly better than what I have?

@docaudio_mc my streamer has a dac and preamp,  one stop shop. 

Cambridge Audio CXN V2. The $700 I paid was well worth the cost...