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Why does streaming need to be so complex

Been struggling for a while now. I simply want the best source for my Apple Music subscription, Tidal Hi-Fi subscription and now Amazon Music HD subscription. I really don’t care about a DAC as I am using an external Benchmark DAC. Got a revealing system using Sim Audio power amp and Von Schweikert speakers. Currently using Apple TV and Fire TV through my OPPO 105 HDMI in and Coax out to DAC. Both sources are not capable of passing Hi-Res. Raspberry PI solution though good needs technical skills, Aurelic product does not support Amazon Music HD, list continues with audiophile streamers missing some functionality or the other. 
The only decent streamer out there that covers it all is Bluesound node 2 and 2i and they continue to keep the customers in mind with updates. Is that the only option out there? Am I stuck with building my own using Mac mini or Raspberry PI? Budget is $1500. 
128x128ghulamr
ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
2,826 posts
 
I bought a Node 2i and couldn't be happier. Using a MHDT Pagoda since it sounds better than the onboard dac, but it's no slouch.
jond's avatar
jond
5,655 posts
 
I would punt on looking for streamers that do Amazon HD for now it was so recently announced it will take time for companies to add it. I use an Auralic, the discontinued Aries Mini, and couldn’t be happier. I’ve been using it for 3.5 years with no issues.
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,825 posts
 
Any smartphone, tablet or computer with apple lightning or usb digital outputs to an external dac can be used for high quality streaming using most any source or app including somehing new like Amazon hd music. . No special devices needed.
ghulamr's avatar
ghulamr OP
104 posts
 
@mapman i agree -but here is the limitation to that. Don’t think iPhone 8 or newer can stream 24/192 and secondly you will need a Apple USB camera adapter and from there a USB to SPDIF converter (my Benchmark DAC does not have USB). The converter and adapter adds so much jitter and noise that it becomes the weakest link and the process starts all over again. 
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