Streaming Curious


I'm a vinyl listener that plays an occasional CD.  Im interested in trying out a streaming service and wonder if the Bluesound Node would be a good testing vehicle for me.  My main objective will be to see if the modern interface is really compelling, but SQ will obviously influence my decision.  I have an Air Tight ATM-300 amp and DeVore O/96 speakers, so I'm concerned it might not show off digital very well...?

Frank

128x128fburkeen

Showing 2 responses by nekoaudio

I'd like to renew the discussion a bit and focus more on where I'd want to look to get similar SQ to my vinyl setup.

For analog sound, I agree you're going to have to spend more and look a little farther afield. Adding this component makes it no longer an effort to dip your toe in the water to see if you enjoy the streaming experience, and now an effort to replicate the sound characteristics you like given a digital source.

You will need to look at combining a streamer with an analog-sounding DAC (e.g. my Neko Audio D100), or a streamer + DAC that provides that sound character (e.g. the Lumin X1) or that can simulate that sound (e.g. Weiss Roon-Ready DACs with vinyl DSP).

The Bluesound Node is a decent inexpensive starting point to try streaming, but its user interface is just one of many options so the sound quality and user experience, which are the two most important parts of a streamer, aren't necessarily going to match what you are looking for. Particularly since you said i would be sound quality that sells you on it.

I recommend looking into, and trying out before buying anything if possible, the software of various products to first figure out if there's a user experience that appeals to you. Lumin, Auralic, Roon, Bluesound, etc. all have software you can download and for some of them, parts of the UI will work even if you haven't bought anything yet.

After that, figure out what hardware works with the software you like. Personally I'm a fan of Lumin hardware and the Roon software.

I do agree with others that Qobuz would be an excellent source. Versus other services that only offer lossy sound quality. Qobuz has their own app, of course, and will work over AirPlay and Google Cast.