@anotherbob Go to Vegas and you will. A nickel bet is commonly referred to as $500.
@brottdwayne can’t tell you if a blue sound will make any difference than your Marantz, But I can tell you that A Innuos PULSE mini made one of the biggest upgrades to my system. This replaced my HEOS streaming from my Marantz SR5015. Getting a good quality streamer to begin with sets you on the correct path.
Re: streaming recommendations for newbie
Hi,
I'd like to finally enter the streaming world with my hifi system and am looking for recommendations. I have streaming music in my car and on my computer, but I can't currently access any streaming services on my hifi system because I have tube gear and neither it nor my old backup gear have streaming capacity or a DAC (other than the CD player).
I guess that I need to buy both a streamer and a DAC? I now have a pretty decent hifi system, but I want start out with modest priced streaming gear.
Can anyone recommend a streamer & DAC, or unit that does both? Does it make sense to put more $$ in a DAC or in a steamer? Not sure about budget, but I'm thinking $500-1000 used for both as a starting point. Thank you.
Terry
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As many have mentioned the Bluesound is a great choice since they offer tremendous support and the software is very good. I recommend a wired Ethernet connection as many have had problems in the past with wireless (maybe they have engineered that better now). I think the Bluesound Node X with a Teddy Pardo external power supply (easy install) is very very good for the money. I have this setup and another 6 times more expensive. The Node X with internal DAC and Teddy Pardo power supply can compete!!! Obviously one can get better sound, but you have to give something away. More money and often much less customer support. |
anotherbobI want an award for guessing he meant $500. I somehow thought is was Australian slang. I see it’s a Vegas term, in any case, I guessed right! What do I get? |
I think almost anything is good enough to start and find out if you will stick with something, then upgrade after experience and research. I agree, separates for future changes. Based on suggestions here, I bought an inexpensive Topping for usb out of my PC, made a big improvement, certainly good enough for me. That’s just my office, music videos. I don’t stream elsewhere. I will say, my friend bought a streamer and dac after lots of research, thought it was great. I visited him, we played LP’s of female voices we both liked, then streamed same. Access, convenience terrific, but sound was not good. Eva, Ella, Sarah, Annie, Fontella, Barbra and Donna, .... none of the women’s voices sounded ’right’. He had to admit, he had not compared, he was just so thrilled with ’everything’ available, and he likes using his phone to do things, the opposite of me. |
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