2. digital
  3. 164147-525

New to streaming, looking for a budget streamer

I live in the country and up till a couple day ago my internet service was not suitable for hi-rez streaming, I use spotify to stream for new music, not for serious listening.

We now have a Frontier9472 Network modum/router installed. It affords WiFI and has 4 ethernet and 1 USB output. I am looking for a streamer that can receive signal via any of these outputs and serve Qobuz. The Bluesound Node 2i seems a likely candidate as I will use streaming for music exploration and background listening. I will play the Node into my Audio Mirror DAC. 

I have 2 questions)

1) are there other streamers available that would serve my purposes that are around the Node price point? 
2)  Would a ethernet or USB connect best the Wifi for SQ?  I know there are other threads on this, some quite lengthy describing ways to improve over ethernet. I just want to use either WiFI or a cable.

As I explore the merits of streaming I will likely upgrade my approach. 
mesch

Showing 3 responses by fuzztone

fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,496 posts
 
BluSound is the ONLY way to start.
You can get better SQ for less $$ but it will take you weeks to set it up.
WiFi was horrible for my BluSound @ 44 Mbps.
If you want WiFi get a $30 device built for it.
 

fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,496 posts
 
Stick or any hard drive. It will power a 2T SSD no prob.
fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,496 posts
 
I love tmy P-J S Ultra but it is no where near the price point and slightly more difficult with fewer options and crappier art than BluSound.
Don’t even try SGC fendi unless you are paying for Roon. Even those idiots could not get it to work for me.
If you are looking at Aurallic, iOS control app only. But I guess you are OK there.
For the P-J S Ultra use the BubbleUPnP app for betters o/l sorting and art on Volumio.
More to discover