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Recommendations for high quality Streaming Audio:

Greetings everyone; looking for recommendations on how to stream high quality audio, let me explain.

I currently use my Apple 8S phone, with a high quality aux cord, into my preamp. This method has better sound quality than when I use a blue-tooth adapter and stream from my phone, but I enjoy being able to stay seated and having control of what I want to listen to.

Anything out there that gives the user remote control / access to what they want to listen to?

If not, I'll settle fort he next best thing, being plugged into my preamp, and having high quality audio without wireless control

Budget: $1,000 for equipment, $25 per month for streaming service.

I don’t know much about DAC’s , streamers, etc.. or alternative music streaming sites, but I do know that there are better options out there from what I’ve read on these forums.

Thanks in advance for the forthcoming enlightenment.

Rene

barkeyzee1
gdnrbob
4,409 posts
 
I concur with big greg,
I also own 2 Nodes (original version). And, they perform flawlessly and still upgrade. 
The onboard DAC is pretty good for the money, but if you are serious, you can buy a higher quality DAC and still use the Nodes.
The only other serious competitor is Aurender, but they only offer Quobuz and Tidal. Bluesound, on the other hand, has a pretty wide range of streaming media providers.
Bob
mazian's avatar
mazian
348 posts
 
I have a Cambridge Audio CXN v2 which, while  more expensive, beat the spots off the Bluesound Node 2i. Downside the app is crap and while I was told they are working on a new app, 3 months on and it still hasn't happened. The Bluesound however is much easier to use if you stream Tidal and use Roon.
genesis777
112 posts
 
The Cambridge CXN is worth checking out.
pearlcfam
26 posts
 
Ps audio sprout integrated amp (one for sale right now on Agon for $362 ***noting I am not affiliated with seller** + project stream box s2 ***note s2 model only not s2 ds model otherwise you would need an additional dac ***(should be around $350 from your local sumiko dealer) + kef q300 or b&w 602 used should be around $500 on agon or us audiomart ...a little over budget but close...
daledeee1's avatar
daledeee1
512 posts
 
I am considering a Node 2i and was told at the dealer to use a Cat 6 cable to connect the Node directly to the router. I have some questions about that. Not sure if I am in turn supposed to connect my laptop to the Bluesound with another Cat 6. I have been using Bluetooth now through a cheaper streamer and it sounds as good as my CD player. Need to inquire further.
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