Noob question about streaming . . .


Okay, I’m not exactly a Luddite, but my audio journey started in the 70’s with Marantz separates, JBL speakers and a Dual turntable. Thaw about thirty years ago I got into home theater, with Parasound separates and four Bose 901s (no haters please — they work well for watching movies). 

Anyway, my Parasound AV preamp died, and I replaced it with a Marantz AV7706 preamp. I’m starting to explore its capabilities, which are light years beyond the old Parasound unit. I’m also exploring using it for music listening in addition to home theater, but streaming is new to me.  (I’m also exploring new speakers, but that’s a discussion for another day). 
 

So, with that background, here are my questions. I’m using the HEOS in the Marantz to stream music through Spotify, which I’ve used in my car for several years. Would a separate streamer be a significant improvement over what I have now?  My understanding is the Marantz’ built in DAC is good enough that I don’t need a separate DAC, unless I’m going to spend big money on one, which I’m not inclined to do right now (speakers first). Second, would a streaming service like Roon or Qubuz or Tidal provide significantly better music quality?  Spotify provides access to all the music I want, but I do realize that it’s limited in terms of sound quality. Help educate this old dinosaur. Thanks!

mbarrett635

Much also depends on the role streaming will play for you...casual background listening, exploring new music, or more "serious" listening...will it be a primary source or a less important source...

same applies to features...I do not make playlists, but rather seek out new and individual albums, and streaming is not my primary source...

Spend the money on a good dac. There are many cheap streamers that do a fine job. 

Don’t feel the need to swap digital cables and power supplies.  That’s advanced stuff of questionable effect.  I’d say consider a speaker swap.

Spend the money on a good dac. 

Eventually.  The thing is, with a Marantz AV preamp, if the OP is using any form of room correction, surround processing, or anything other than direct mode, the Marantz is going to run the external signal through an ADC for whatever the pre- is doing.  That would defeat the point of an expensive external DAC.  Point being, the OP would have to change the paradigm of his system to benefit from that unless he uses direct mode. 

There are many cheap streamers that do a fine job. 

I agree with this. A streamer with an SPDIF out would plug into the Marantz and possibly improve the sound and improve over HEOS software if desired.