Streaming Audio Questions

First, welcome back to HiFi!  We've been busy trying to figure out how to get the best sound out of the new high rez material on the market, and streaming too.

You need to be excited because the outcome of years of work have yielded some incredible playback capabilities.

Having spent years and a small fortune on digital audio my findings for the best sound are to use a standard laptop with an SSD drive, running JRiver software in memory play mode, then outputting the digital signal via USB cable to a USB Disruptor unit, then finally to a USB DAC.

With this setup you deliver a pristine digital signal to the DAC and though this is very cost effective, it is my opinion based on years of experience that this method is as good as any method of getting a clean digital signal to an audio component.  So in this case low cost does not mean sonic limitations, it just means low cost.

The USB Disruptor ensures your digital signal from the computer is free of noise and interference that causes jitter.

With this setup you're set for the new HiFi.

Thanks for all the great info! I was hoping for a plug-n-play solution but it looks like it's not quite that simple. DAC's, De-jittering devices and  USB Disruptor units have my head spinning. One thing it seems is that a DAC is needed for whatever digital source goes into the preamp. One other Question, Jriver is used to import CD's and vinyl, it's not for streaming services like Tidal or Fidelify- correct? I appreciate all the help everyone has given. Thank you!

If you want a simple, one box system take a look at the Sony HAP-S1. It a DAC and integrated amp and pulls music from a PC onto its hard drive. You just rip you CDs to a computer and then the Sony will transfer them over. From then on you are just dealing with the Sony. Not as versatile as a stand alone PC with JRiver and a separate DAC and amp, but very easy to use and it does not take much space. Sony also has the HAP-Z1ES which has more internal storage but no integrated amp. It is basically a music server with a DAC.

JRiver is software that rips (CDs), manages the library, provides a user interface  and sends tracks to a DAC, usually via usb. It is a very versatile program but does take a little while to learn. It has volume control so you do not necessary need volume control in a DAC. However, most DACs that are meant to drive a power amp directly have volume control.

Ripping vinyl is another matter. You need an A to D converter and software to process the digital files. You can get a simple A to D like a Tascam DR-5 for $100 or you can spend several thousands. Vinyl Studio is a good program for process the files - splitting tracks, tagging (album name, track name, composers, etc.), and removing noise (pops and clicks, hum, etc.) - cost $29.

Some systems like Sonus integrates with Tidal, but JRiver does not. However, you can just run Tidal on the same PC if you are using one for playback. You can pump the Tidal output into JRiver to use its various DSP modes ( (e.g. tone controls)) for playback.

Don't get too wrapped up in the whole jitter discussion. It is important but clearly a secondary issue. First, you need to decide if you want a full PC solution (like JRiver) and a music server (like the Sony above or a BlueSound solution, or Sonus). Part of the consideration is now good you are with a computer and how much time you want to spend managing your library through the PC.

If using the PC solution, you can then decide on a specific solution. There are several DACs with volume controls that drive a power amp. Or you can get a DAC and an integrated or separate pre-amp or power amp.

I would think about how much you want to spend and how much you want to deal with the computer and go from there.