Streamer/server newbie

@mahler123 Not to disagree too much with what you said but the lower cost streamers are not that good. The Bluesound Node (I have N130) is not bad for the cost but the USB audio out is poor and not compatible with all devices. ifi Zen Stream buggy software and wifi drop outs. Similar issues with Musical Fidelity MX Stream and Roon compatibility.

A Raspberry PI in its most basic form - just the motherboard in a fanless heatsink case with a linear power supply running Ropiee outputing USB audio will rival streamers costing thousands. Keep it simple for best results. It is only a network bridge to pass digital data. A good DAC will take that data and buffer it and use its own internal timing to deal with errors and jitter in the data.

If setting up Ropiee on a Pi is not appealing then the lowest tier streamer I would recommend is a Lumin U1 Mini / U2 Mini (and add the LHY liner power supply kit). Lumin has stable software and good hardware.

I have the above setup in one system and I also have a Lumin U1 streamer in my main system. The upgrades to DAC amp and speakers are so much more bang for the buck then the small improvement in sound by spending $5k more on U1 streamer...don’t get me wrong it is a great streamer but it was the last component I upgraded. I was shocked and surprised at how good the Raspberry Pi sounds into a good DAC (USB connection - no hat). Everything I read and see online says buy a streamer costing thousands.

I picked up a Bryston BDP Pi for like $500 used. It’s based on the Raspberry Pi. Then invested ~$1K for a Small Green Computer to host the Roon Core. Then switched the Pi to Roon Endpoint. Dolled it all up with some decent cabling and Mesh network. I am amazed at how good it sounds. I would like to someday switch to optical rendu endpoint.

I agree: spend the rest of the budget on good cables, network infrastructure and DAC.

I came across this pro Raspberry Pi setup that looked interesting the other day. I saw Alvin at Vineshine Audio reviewing it and he is selling in Asia.

https://www.pi2design.com/mercury-streamer-v2.html

The builder is based in USA so I ordered one from him this morning as I am still short one streamer for a headphone tube amp I just bought.

Will report back once I get it. Not sure it will sound any different than the one I built but like I said it is a more pro build which will look nicer in my table top system so worth the extra bucks to me. Will install Ropiee as I only stream with Roon. It also easily takes a generic 12V LPS with no mods in place of the external switching power supply included.

BTW here is how small the PI 4 is in a fanless case without hat. You can hide it behind your equipment in a stereo rack. Has built in wifi that seems to work fine. Or you can use the lan ethernet connection.

The LPS is a $89 unit from Amazon. Also works great.

I am not a huge fan of Bluesound, but they are a traditional starting point for audiophiles getting into streaming, so I mentioned them.  It was my first streamer and I have moved on, but the app works pretty well and purely as a streamer it isn't bad.  One big advantage is that one can directly import numerous streaming services without resorting to Bluetooth or AirPlay or my favorite, Chromecast.

My favorite currently is Cambridge Audio CXN 60, and I own two of them.  The OP doesn't need the DAC, but it's decent and I use the DAC in my second system.  In my primary system the CXN 60 feeds a Bryston DAC3.  The CA particualrly does a great job implementing Chromecast, and I will frequently play high res files stored on my Android Phone that way, and it in no way sounds like a budget component.

And it is superb for Internet Radio and Podcasts.  The server is a Melco N100 NAS, which also can be used as a player, but since it lacks Chromecast and AirPlay and since I frequently switch between my phone with Apple Music and the files on the NAS it is just simpler to stay within the CA.

  At any rate, as a newbie streamer who doesnt need a DAC, I reiterate that the OP

imo is best served getting a quality but relatively inexpensive component and then upgrading if he/she wishes if streaming becomes a significant source for them