How to build a super simple streaming system


Hi - Looking for some guidance. A few years ago I built a new house (smaller) and along with that got rid of my stereo system (B&K amp, Theil and Monitor Audio speakers, Rotel pre-amp) and my home theater (Yamaha and Paradigm). I gave away my entire CD collection (1000 plus) and my LP's. The recipients were all thrilled. I replaced it all with Sonos and Spotify. I thought I'd be OK with it - I'm 71, have tinnitus from a gazillion rock concerts. My hearing is not premium.

Turns out that I can hear well enough to know that my new set up is not the answer. I've read Stereophile for many, many years and based on reviews from that mag I've picked out Genelec G3 speakers and a Bluesound Node streamer for my new and improved music system. I've read, read, and read some more (and watched YouTube vids) about how to put this mini system together and I find I'm still at sea. 

The Genelec site says their speakers should be wired for best performance. I look at pictures of the connections and.....?? And how to integrate the Bluesound? How do I manage volume control? I went into this thinking these two components were all I needed, but now I'm not so sure.

I read this forum with great interest every day and thought I'd give it a shot before I get in touch with the manufacturers. Thanks very much.

jimlavery

OP might consider Roon ready KEF LS0 Wireless II or LS60.  Only external requirement is a modem/router.  Connection can be Ethernet or WiFi.  Sound quality can be excellent, and the KEF app makes set up easy and is a delight to use.  eARC provides uncompressed TV sound; coax provides 192/24 access to digital sources like a disc player,

To use the Node with the genelecs all you need is to run an interconnect cable from the RCA connections to the Genelecs and use the bluesound app on your phone to control the volume:

 

 

Yes if you don't want to buy anything else you can connect the analog outputs of the Node to the G3's and use the Blusound app to control the volume but that is compromising sound quality. I would buy something like the Saga or another passive preamp with a remote to control the volume.  The you would set the volume on the Node to maximum and use the preamp for volume control.  Saga is not the only option in that arena though.