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Yet another question about streaming

Hi all,

I'm looking for a streaming media setup and there are 2 things I'm currently stuck trying to understand.  I'm hoping for opinions and advice. First thing: I've been looking at players like the new BlueSound Node and a couple of the Cambridge Audio pieces, the Azur 851 N and the CXN V2.  If I am planning to eventually buy a streaming DAC like the Chord Qutest or the Schitt Yggdrasil, how much does it matter which of the streamers I buy? Is there enough difference in the digital output of any of these players to change the sound coming out of the DAC? Second thing that confuses me: if I use one of these streamers to listen to a service like Spotify, what is coming out of the digital out?  Can I send that to my existing EAD DAC or will it come out in a format (like Mp3) that the DAC doesn't recognize? 

Thanks much for any thoughts or ideas.
Howard
howardlander
deadhead1000's avatar
deadhead1000
714 posts
 
I have the Bluesound, it's a great way to get into digital. Easy to use, great support, low price. I then upgraded it just by running it though my outboard DAC like you plan to do, although the DAC built in is quite good for the price. Of course there are better/more expensive and more complicated options, but this was how I got started with understanding and using streaming (reading about it helps, but hands on is the best way to grasp it) and it worked well. 

You can output analog or digital from the Bluesound, and as fuzztone states, the output to your DAC is digital and the DAC makes it analogue to your amp. Since you have an outboard DAC, I would recommend that.
fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,595 posts
 
Actually I don’t think that the OP is serious about the only true streaming DAC that I know of, the  dCS Bartiok for $16,000 plus a road trip.   
https://www.paragonsns.com/products/dcs-bartok-streaming-dac

For that you get to save on some cables and maybe a power supply.
howardlander OP
10 posts
 
I think I explained the question poorly. I know the output from the Node will be digital. But what I don't know is whether or not my existing DAC ( an upgraded EAD 7000 series III) will be able to convert the input. I can't find a manual on line to tell me which protocols that DAC accepts. So maybe the question should be whether any DAC will accept the sirius or spotify protocol.
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fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,595 posts
 
Maybe I answered it poorly. There are NO protocols. Probably the reason there is nothing out there about ’em.

The only thing to consider are the DAC inputs. They just should match the player output. OR get a converter. You just can’t go TO USB. From it, no problemo.
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