Streaming + DAC questions. Please help this noob!


Hi Guys,

After a couple of decades avoiding the desire to become an audiophile . . . here I am. I've jumped head first and purchased the following:

Bryston BP 20 preamp
Bryston 4B SST amp
B&W 801 Matrix II

I'm actively avoiding becoming a vinyl collector (too many hobbies, not enough physical space, etc etc), so most of my music will be from Spotify. I know they aren't the greatest quality . . . but for the sake of ease and variety and modernity, that's what I'm using. My 'hub' would be an imac sitting 10 feet away from the hifi system. I'd like to control from that computer since that's where I'm sitting most of the day. 

At first, I had hoped to be able to connect via bluetooth adapter directly into preamp and that sounded horrible. (Lesson #1). I then tried with an Audioquest Beetle and that sounded pretty good. I also tried an ipad direct into the preamp and that's OK, too (not as good as with Beetle). But it's clear to me I probably need a dedicated DAC (Lesson #2). So my questions:

1. Whats the best way to use Spotify connect via my Imac? Should I dedicate the ipad to sit on top of the hifi? I also have an old macbook pro that could sit on the hifi and be the connected hardware. The beetle worked fine, but I don't want my computer sounds to come out of my hifi system, only Spotify. 

2. My head is spinning with DAC info. It seems like I can't go wrong with a $99 Schiit, but I'd rather just buy right the first time. Happy to spend up to 1k (used is definitely ok with me) on a DAC that I can just forget about. Did I mess up by not getting an integrated preamp/dac? 

I come to you guys with humility and ready for Lessons 3 thru infinity.
128x128quesofrito
FYI: If you have a Sirius/XM subscription for your car, you can also stream it from your portable devices for free. I am streaming it from both my Iphone and Ipad Touch directly into my DAC thru the USB port, and from there on to my McIntosh preamp.The sound quality is wonderful, and you get a gazillion channels. At no extra cost.
Hi @quesofrito,  I hope you're having fun improving the listening experience. There seems to always be further to go, but certain initial steps in the system are huge. You can usually get a free period to test Tidal. The jump from lower res spotify, apple, etc. to CD+ quality is noticeable to me for sure. I use the Schiit modi multibit. There is an online debate between the founder of Schiit and nerds with oscilloscopes about it, but I love it. I also use a Mac (Mini) as the streamer through the DAC to a Freya preamp. There is a lot of discussion on this site about the value of dedicated streamers vs. computers, but again, the first steps make big differences. Good luck!
@peterf6 thanks! just received a bluesound node in the mail and i'm waiting on a DAC to get here. gotta get testing! 
@OP,
Start listening and get a feel for the onboard DAC. When the Codex comes in, I promise you will hear a significant difference.
Though,keep in mind that you should let things run-in for a few days to allow them to settle in. You'd be surprised at how much things open up.
 
Regarding power cords to the Node- I tried an AQ cord to my Node and didn't find it made much of a difference- though I am using the Codex as my DAC.
 My dealer had me buy an AQ Thunder power cord for my Codex. He believes the best cords go to the source.
Those damn things are pretty stiff and I needed some right angle adapters to get them to connect, but I have to say they did make a difference.
Alas, a bit pricey, but, it is a tweak you can do later on-especially when AQ comes out with a new model and everyone sells their old cables.
Bob
OP You are a Bryston guy.  I have the Bryston DAC3, which is wonderful.  I also have the Bryston BDP3 streamer, which sounds great but the software control program is third rate.  I second the Bluesound Node2 or 2i recommendations as your into into the streaming world.  It costs about 1/7 the price of the Bryston, sounds about 90% as good, and the App is much better.