Looking for an all-in-one just-add-speakers streamer for my son to take to college


Cambridge Audio Evo 75 is probably the top of the range, but maybe a BlueSound Powernode is good enough? Maybe there is something cheaper that fits the bill?

My son is not (yet) an audiophile, so sufficient volume may be the most important, but interested in any thoughts folks have on this topic.

saulh

I picked up an Arcam Solo Uno for my office for £300 (new) a couple of months back (originally about £650). Apart from an Aux-In all it does is stream. 

The Harmon Kardon / Arcam app is appalling (I could not get it to work and stay working) but for this purpose, Google Home suits my needs perfectly well and it streams Qobuz in HR very nicely indeed.

I would not invest a lot of money in a stereo system if my kid was living in campus housing.  Theft is always an issue, not to mention abuse of the equipment by drunk roommates.

I'd be looking at cheap bluetooth powered speakers, or one of the bluetooth Chinese amps and a pair of cheap Dayton Audio speakers.

I know I sound like an old crabby fart, but the kids should be focused on their classes and other activities and shouldn't be spending all their time in a comfortable dorm room.  In fact, the more the dorm room looks like a prison cell, the better.😁

Like Dino and rbertalotto above, I suggest going cheap.  A Fosi BT120A has Bluetooth and ample power output to drive speakers to dorm room levels.  Give him a household chore to complete so he earned it himself.  For speakers, Find a good used pair that fits his room size and musical tastes. 

I'd recommend any of the Edifier powered Bluetooth speakers. I've compared them to the Audioengine speakers and thought the Edifiers sounded much better. https://www.edifier.com/global/product-category/bookshelf-speakers