Thanks everyone for great suggestions and conversation. I ordered a bluesound node. I'm moving on up! Hey ghdprentice, what streamer cost $22,000?
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As long as you are happy with the way it sounds and the way it works..... There are tons other "streamers" out there that are controlled by an APP at all sorts of price points... from < $200 (Raspberry Pi based, Arylic, Wiim) to > $25K !!! I started out hard wiring using USB from my Mac or iPad to a DAC and it’s wonderful EXCEPT no way to control it remotely and tethering is a bit of a pain. I ended up with a Marantz SACD30n using HEOS (meh) app and it sounds great with Amazon Music HD. I may eventually get a Bluesound Node (2021 version) or Bluesound Vault (waiting for release of next gen, to rip CD’s too) as HEOS is a bit of a bear to work with. So many choices out there at all sorts of $$$. I can never see myself paying over $2K for a streamer but it’s out there for those that are inclined. |
Thanks everyone for great suggestions and conversation. I ordered a bluesound node. I'm moving on up! Hey ghdprentice, what streamer cost $22,000? Aurender Streamers get to that price. I have my eye someday on the N200 just released. |
Voodoolounge I think you’ll be impressed! I thoroughly enjoy my Node 2i, which was reportedly a substantial step above the Node 2, in sound quality. Now I’m reading that the current Node is yet another step above the 2i. I used the analog out (internal DAC) Node 2i for a couple months before getting curious about using an external DAC. I found the DAC in the economical Emotiva PT-100 was not an improvement, but the DAC in my Parasound NewClassic 200 Integrated did deliver a little finer detail and strings had a little more realistic warmth. The improved DAC in the Node may raise the bar for external DACs. |
Dedicated streamer with Cat-8 Ethernet cable definitely will improve the SQ by several reasons. Separate DAC will give you even more improvement. Lanier outboard power supply for your streamer will give you another level of improvement. Also, such a setup could give you opportunity to play with SQ details using different interconnects. Descent streamer setup to start hear improvement probably will cost you 2K minimum. Good candidates: Lumin D2 or U1, Teac NT-505, Bluesound Node(only if used with separate DAC), Cambridge CXN v2 or Azur 851N… |
- 59 posts total