2. digital
  3. 186673-3418

new to streaming- help!

Hi all-

I'm a long time audiophile but have always gone the cd/vinyl route.  I am trying streaming but having trouble setting up a Bluesound Node X.  Something about my wifi it doesn't like...I am enjoying Tidal on my Macbook, however.  Which brings me to a question.  Would I get better sound quality anyway if I just connected my laptop to an external dac?  Should I scrap the Blue Sound?  And if go that route, does it matter if I have my laptop connected to ethernet, or will sound quality be the same on either ethernet or wifi?  (Asssuming a cable from MAC to DAC...).

Alternatively, would it make sense to run Tidal from Ipad to DAC? Or does one need  a streamer like Blue sound to do that?

I'm sure this will get sorted out, but feeling slightly overwhelmed at the moment.

Thanks!

Margot

mcanaday
kerrybh
100 posts
 

Keep trying- it will be worth the effort 

the node will be far superior to your computer and is generally a very reliable device. 

styleman
132 posts
 

I have a question for SOIX and Carlsbad2 as I also want to widen my music experience by streaming:  My main music system is in my living room.  My modem/router in in my home office delivering WI-FI service to my two computers there and my TV in the living room.  So how could I ditch a  PC which I would locate near my music system and receive the music o replace a streamer there (and feed into a DAC) but not connect by Wi-Fi?   I am admittedly ignorant of the whole streaming setup. A little basic help would be welcome.  Thanks.

pureclarity
49 posts
 

Some streamers have built in dacs which either can be connected with Ethernet or Wi-Fi. Also when I bought my Auralic, they recommend even a certain router for streaming, so you won’t lose on the high speed data.

pureclarity
49 posts
 

But also I second ghdprentice, get the laptop outta there, been that route, and you will have much better sound with a separate streamer/dac.

julie_priest
131 posts
 

Node 2i had the same idiotic issues for me too. And the sound quality isn’t much to write home about. Get a Lindemann Limetree Bridge II or Wiim Pro. Both in a similar price range, and far better sound quality. No dropping and wifi issues. Also if you later upgrade a bit with a Linear Power Supply (like the one from MCRU) that’s an immediately audible upgrade. 

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