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

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

I’ve been streaming music for almost 20 years. You will need a computer, and a smartphone and/tablet to do it right.

‘First and foremost, it’s the software you use that gives you the best Sq. I’ve used almost a dozen different software versions that run on a computer, which is your server that holds your ripped cds along with controlling your streamed music sources like Tidal/Qobuz. Every dedicated music server you buy is a computer, mostly running Linux with either roon or their own proprietary software.

‘The worst transport to use to a dac is usb. IMO, usb is used more often because most DACs have that capability whereas the more expensive DACs include Ethernet which is far better Sq even if you buy all the usb tweaks/gimmicks.

IMO, start off small. If you have a cd player with a digital input, buy a device like an Apple TV or something similar to front end your cd player. Then get a tablet to run apple music/iTunes and point to the apple tv device as your output. By no means this is a quality setup, but it will give you a feel on how you can navigate the web for music playback and then you can use the Apple TV device for a bedroom or second system later on, Roon/Audirvana and others will use this device as an endpoint.

If you want to really get into streaming, then you need a computer (it doesn’t have to be dedicated if it has enough resources and it’s located in a separate room), pick your software like roon/audirvana, dac with Ethernet or i2s inputs, then setup a wired network to your audio room and use a fiber network to your isp.

Keep it simple.

Budget wasn’t specified.  I would start with a laptop that has been enhanced with a program like Audirvana Plus.  Or for approximately 1K get a Cambridge Audio CXN 60.  It has a great app that works with Apple or Android.  It adds Chromecast and AirPlay so you can play from the portable device if you wish.  Great with Internet Radio and Podcasts.  Sounds great