Don't waste money! There's not a ton of magic in digital data transmission. A lot of this is marketing... Gear makers want to sell their overpriced stuff. No reason to spend about $1,600 total.
Streaming for beginner
I have a PS Audio front end-- DMP disc player and DirectSteam DAC. Very happy with the resolution and performance, especially from my redbook cd collection. For those familiar with the DSD, it is upgradable via a network bridge card to become a dedicated streamer. When I bought this DAC, I was looking ahead to an eventual migration to streaming.
I also have a Spotify account, that currently only serves me as a companion to my iPhone during walks and exercise.
My question: assume my goal is to stream for convenience, simplicity, and achieve audio quality that equals or surpasses that of redbook cd’s. I am not looking to purchase music or download it for storage. What am I missing? I also have a dedicated iPad that can serve as the interface to the DAC/Streamer. Spotify also claims that streaming in high resolution is available on my account. Do I need anything else? Am I oversimplifying this?
I am a beginner when it comes to streaming, so please answer in simple terms since I will not be familiar with a lot of the services and components mentioned elsewhere in these forums. In fact, confusing enough for me that it is forcing me to ask here.
I also have a Spotify account, that currently only serves me as a companion to my iPhone during walks and exercise.
My question: assume my goal is to stream for convenience, simplicity, and achieve audio quality that equals or surpasses that of redbook cd’s. I am not looking to purchase music or download it for storage. What am I missing? I also have a dedicated iPad that can serve as the interface to the DAC/Streamer. Spotify also claims that streaming in high resolution is available on my account. Do I need anything else? Am I oversimplifying this?
I am a beginner when it comes to streaming, so please answer in simple terms since I will not be familiar with a lot of the services and components mentioned elsewhere in these forums. In fact, confusing enough for me that it is forcing me to ask here.
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- 92 posts total
Don't believe all this nonsense about how easy this streaming is . Dropping a pick up onto a record was easy - digital streaming requires a significant amount of effort to get an equivalent SQ. OK so you jump in with either TIDAL or QOBUZ Now you really should consider ROON- Infinite number of options in the DSP settings which will keep you busy for months I choose to have a dedicated laptop -lots of RAM and windows 10 cut back to bare bones configuration + dedicated LPS Lets look at our router , need to hard wire to laptop with Cat8 ethernet cable as a minimum + dedicated LPS Now special USB cable to ensure integrity of digital signal is not corrupted before converted to analogue in the DAC -of course make sure DAC is MQA compliant if opting for TIDAL and of course own dedicated LPS At last we have an analogue signal to be amplified via a power conditioner like a AQ Niagra 1200 and AQ power and interconnects. Get those cables off the floor and room correct with DIRAC Phew now lets listen to some music. |
“Dropping a pick up onto a record was easy” @bobby1945, You probably own one of these turntables 😂 https://www.amazon.com/Victrola-Bluetooth-Suitcase-Turntable-Speakers/dp/B00UMVW4VA/ref=sr_1_3?dchil... |
Can't agree with @bobby1945 "Don't believe all this nonsense about how easy this streaming is . Dropping a pick up onto a record was easy - digital streaming requires a significant amount of effort to get an equivalent SQ." You can just start with Node 2i or even Fiio M11, Qobuz free trial, and off you go -- browsing through 200,000+ CD and HiRes albums; let's see how bobby1945 catches up with his SQ and ease of use :-) You need nothing else from his post. As I write this I am listening to today's new albums (some 30 new albums are released each Friday) from Qobuz app on my Fiio M11 connected with $30 coax cable to RME ADI-2 DAC powering beyerdynamic Amiron Home headphones. Trust me -- I couldn't be happier. In fact, I could listen to just the Fiio w/o external DAC and I did in the past for a long time. |
- 92 posts total