getting into streaming


So after many years of playing cd's, I'm considering getting into streaming music. I would prefer to use the DAC in my accuphase CD player; my question is I assume any streamer would require something additional to control it (smart phone, tablet etc) but I'm wondering if there is something out there that has its own controller to use to surf for songs, so I don't have to buy anything else to use it

gwng8

@jamike The Bluesound remote can simply allow one to choose between 10 "presets" that would be set up via smartphone or computer. It would be useless for navigating through hundreds of albums and thousands of favorite tracks and exploring thousands/millions of tracks, waiting to be discovered.

@oddiofyl I agree with you. If OP wants to try streaming, a Node 3 or even a Node 2i can output to his DAC and provide a great, intuitive user interface and quality SQ. A smartphone or a lower price tablet wold be needed/wanted to navigate millions of tracks, save albums and create playlists. No, you don't need to spent 2 grand on your home network, but you do want reliable broadband internet.

I'm in my 2nd year with a Node 2i and nicer external DAC. I went from 85% vinyl and 15% CD listening to 75% streaming and have enjoyed every minute of it. There might be a Denefrips Ares II in my future but I'm enjoying what I've got, so no rush.

Spent 600-700 now ..getting a very useable user interface and great sound. If you're loving it in a year or 2, keep it...or upgrade to a more esoteric streamer and sell the Node for ⅔rds to ¾ths of what you paid for it. The tablet will still be useful for the next streamer.

 

(The tablet doesn't have to be high end... it's only used for navigation and control. The streamer is doing all the work)

IMHO trying out streaming and experiencing all the benefits shouldn't mean setting up and maintaining a Roon server and/or spending 3-5K on a streamer nor 2k on network improvements.

I'm happy as a clam using my Windows laptop as the controller. It happily sits on my lap. It offers an image size comparable to that an old 10" record, so it's easy to read liner notes and gaze at the pictures the streaming services almost invariably provide. You aren't going to be on the move when you listen, anyway. You'll be lounging on your couch or easy chair just like you are when you play that treasured LP.

My streaming hardware, meantime, is a not terribly expensive Cambridge CXN streamer/DAC plugged into an ethernet connection/router gotten from the local phone company. Plugged into my Primaluna Integrated Amp, this 60 years+ audio nut is happy as a clam. Not only does it provide a universe of music for a modest monthly fee, it gives my SOTA Sapphire, etc. etc. analogue rig serious competition when it comes to sound quality.

 

There are numerous streamers/music servers that come with brand specific software, many that use brand agnostic software. Many can be controlled via computer interface. First question is budget? 2nd - What type of digital inputs does the Accuphase support? 3rd - Do you want the ability to have your current cd collection ripped to hard drive, and if so, do you want that to be accessible via a network connection or via a built in hard drive to your streamer? 

Lots of suggestions, none of them are wrong; however, to answer your question fully, I would say you need to provide a bit more detail.

What is your comfort level with computers and networking? Wifi or wired? Cool thing about streaming is you can go from one box solution(especially since you have a dac you like) to multi component with prices from sub 1k USD TO 25K +

A lot of people quote the use of an iPad, to control your streamer. I have an older model iPad that simply ceased to work with with newer apps. I bought a Lenovo tablet for $100 works perfectly with my Naim, Limetree and other streamers. Lots of streamers don't have a built in DAC, I use a Lindemann Limetree Bridge with several DACs mostly a Denafrips Ares or iFi IDSD Micro BL. Of course DAC's in CD players will likely be limited to 16 bits. 

Wiim Pro:

https://wiimhome.com/WiiMPro/Overview

Wiim Remote:

https://wiimhome.com/pdf/WiiM%20Voice%20Remote%20User%20Manual.pdf

So low-cost and easy to set up it’s worth taking a flyer on.

Stereophile review of the lower tier Wiim Mini: https://www.stereophile.com/content/wiim-mini-streaming-da-preamplifier