getting into streaming


So after many years of playing cd's, I'm considering getting into streaming music. I would prefer to use the DAC in my accuphase CD player; my question is I assume any streamer would require something additional to control it (smart phone, tablet etc) but I'm wondering if there is something out there that has its own controller to use to surf for songs, so I don't have to buy anything else to use it

gwng8

Showing 1 response by mwinkc

@jamike The Bluesound remote can simply allow one to choose between 10 "presets" that would be set up via smartphone or computer. It would be useless for navigating through hundreds of albums and thousands of favorite tracks and exploring thousands/millions of tracks, waiting to be discovered.

@oddiofyl I agree with you. If OP wants to try streaming, a Node 3 or even a Node 2i can output to his DAC and provide a great, intuitive user interface and quality SQ. A smartphone or a lower price tablet wold be needed/wanted to navigate millions of tracks, save albums and create playlists. No, you don't need to spent 2 grand on your home network, but you do want reliable broadband internet.

I'm in my 2nd year with a Node 2i and nicer external DAC. I went from 85% vinyl and 15% CD listening to 75% streaming and have enjoyed every minute of it. There might be a Denefrips Ares II in my future but I'm enjoying what I've got, so no rush.

Spent 600-700 now ..getting a very useable user interface and great sound. If you're loving it in a year or 2, keep it...or upgrade to a more esoteric streamer and sell the Node for ⅔rds to ¾ths of what you paid for it. The tablet will still be useful for the next streamer.

 

(The tablet doesn't have to be high end... it's only used for navigation and control. The streamer is doing all the work)

IMHO trying out streaming and experiencing all the benefits shouldn't mean setting up and maintaining a Roon server and/or spending 3-5K on a streamer nor 2k on network improvements.