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Streaming + DAC questions. Please help this noob!

Hi Guys,

After a couple of decades avoiding the desire to become an audiophile . . . here I am. I've jumped head first and purchased the following:

Bryston BP 20 preamp
Bryston 4B SST amp
B&W 801 Matrix II

I'm actively avoiding becoming a vinyl collector (too many hobbies, not enough physical space, etc etc), so most of my music will be from Spotify. I know they aren't the greatest quality . . . but for the sake of ease and variety and modernity, that's what I'm using. My 'hub' would be an imac sitting 10 feet away from the hifi system. I'd like to control from that computer since that's where I'm sitting most of the day. 

At first, I had hoped to be able to connect via bluetooth adapter directly into preamp and that sounded horrible. (Lesson #1). I then tried with an Audioquest Beetle and that sounded pretty good. I also tried an ipad direct into the preamp and that's OK, too (not as good as with Beetle). But it's clear to me I probably need a dedicated DAC (Lesson #2). So my questions:

1. Whats the best way to use Spotify connect via my Imac? Should I dedicate the ipad to sit on top of the hifi? I also have an old macbook pro that could sit on the hifi and be the connected hardware. The beetle worked fine, but I don't want my computer sounds to come out of my hifi system, only Spotify. 

2. My head is spinning with DAC info. It seems like I can't go wrong with a $99 Schiit, but I'd rather just buy right the first time. Happy to spend up to 1k (used is definitely ok with me) on a DAC that I can just forget about. Did I mess up by not getting an integrated preamp/dac? 

I come to you guys with humility and ready for Lessons 3 thru infinity.
128x128quesofrito
jag's avatar
jag
98 posts
 
i was considering a Bluesound but after streaming Tidal through my MacBook to the Oppo and out to a external DAC the sound was not as good as the same res. flac. played to the same DAC from a hard drive. note that i connected the MacBook to the Oppo via HDMI. kind of turned me off to the whole streaming thing. perhaps streaming from a dedicated streamer like a Bluesound or Auralic ect. rather than a Mac would make me a believer?  Bluesound 2i sounded pretty good at the dealers played into top NAD and PSB T2's via the 2i's internal DAC
jssmith
298 posts
 
Don't go down the rabbit hole. Get the $99 Schiit. You won't be able to tell the difference. Blind tests have proven this over and over again. And any streaming service 320kbps or better will do.
lgoler's avatar
lgoler
55 posts
 
Mark my words, Apple Music will offer Hi-Res streaming soon and will make all these other streaming services obsolete or out of business entirely.  They have the deepest catalog (although search functionality is awful) and the network effect is massive.  My worry is the lack of integration with Roon, whom I hope they’ll buy.  
billynine's avatar
billynine
2 posts
 
Maybe I’m late to this, but I am looking into the Lumin D2 and Auralic Altair G1. I will most likely choose the Lumin D2 for my system. With the gear you are using, you might want to do the same. I currently have the BlueSound Node 2i and have been disappointed thus far. My previous set-up was a MacBook air steamed through a Resonessence Concero dac. The drop off in quality has not been subtle. I have not run the Node2i thru the Concero to compare, but my hope when purchasing the Node2i was a one box solution. The Lumin D2 will stream and convert, but does not offer any extra digital inputs. Reports are that it sounds sweet, warm and analog. The Altair G1 will also stream and convert, and has better functionality with the addition of a headphone amp, digital inputs and wireless connectivity. Reported sound is more detailed and airy than the Lumin. I don’t think you can go wrong with either for the price and both are ROON ready.
axo0oxa
98 posts
 
A DAC and Streamer along with a program to organize your music files will be important over time. If you are only going to be streaming off a music site such as Spotify or Tidal then the program to organize the files is not critical at this point but the DAC and Streamer are. I like one box solutions and I like to connect using a Network connection as opposed to a USB connection.
There are many DACs, Streamers and one box solutions out there. You should listen to them if possible prior to just taking someones suggestion but suggestions are a great way to start your auditioning. The price range is incredibly wide. In my opinion you probably should think about $2,500 as a top limit for both the DAC and Streamer. Once you have it all set up and have become comfortable you may start to add digital music files to your listening.
When adding music files happens in a big way you will then be moving into the next phase in which you will move to a NAS drive and file organizing programs. At that point you might even begin to think about upgrades for the DAC or Streamer but that is way off into the future since it appears that you are just streaming music off the net while working at your desk.
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