@rbstehno How does a computer with Roon from another room work with a DAC? It sends control info via wifi to router then this sends via ethernet cable (or maybe thru wifi, depending DAC) to DAC? What is the noise issue? Thx...
Another streaming newbie
Guys, I have tried to search and figure this out, because I know this topic has been well-covered. But I am still wandering in the dark, so plz forgive my redundant questions....
First, here's my current rig,: I built a Lenco table 15 yrs ago with a JMW 10 arm/London Super Gold that I run into a phono pre that I built from a pretty high end kit (can't see the name, have no idea what it is now!) thru a VTL tube IT-85 integrated amp and then thru some SF Electa Amator II, supported by a sub I built. So pretty mid-fi setup, but it really works for me. Sounds great, to my ears.
The Covid thing has me home (no golf in Los Angeles!), listening to music more. Would love to stream something that approaches the vinyl sound quality with a music service, but being retired, budget is more a concern now... I just subscribed to TIDAL with its premium level (MQA) that I was running straight from my iphone 6 to the VTL. Meh. Then my daughter ran same stuff through her iphone 11 and, hey, that sounded better. So, clearly, I am in need of a streaming DAC.
I know MQA gets mixed reviews. I have no way really to test this or to go listen to stuff. Everything is shut down here. So here's the criteria that matters most to me:
Thanks for your input. Chuck
First, here's my current rig,: I built a Lenco table 15 yrs ago with a JMW 10 arm/London Super Gold that I run into a phono pre that I built from a pretty high end kit (can't see the name, have no idea what it is now!) thru a VTL tube IT-85 integrated amp and then thru some SF Electa Amator II, supported by a sub I built. So pretty mid-fi setup, but it really works for me. Sounds great, to my ears.
The Covid thing has me home (no golf in Los Angeles!), listening to music more. Would love to stream something that approaches the vinyl sound quality with a music service, but being retired, budget is more a concern now... I just subscribed to TIDAL with its premium level (MQA) that I was running straight from my iphone 6 to the VTL. Meh. Then my daughter ran same stuff through her iphone 11 and, hey, that sounded better. So, clearly, I am in need of a streaming DAC.
I know MQA gets mixed reviews. I have no way really to test this or to go listen to stuff. Everything is shut down here. So here's the criteria that matters most to me:
- A great UI app because now streaming is like going to the Smithsonian. There's a lot to organize.
- Great sound. (whatever that means!)
- One box. Cables get expensive & messy.
- I'd like to keep it under $2K. I'd really like to keep it under $1K, but that may be wishful thinking. I mean, is Bluesound Node 2 up to it? I am sure it would beat my daughters iphone 11, but ... what are reasonable streamers/DACS? Where's the killer solution that isn't $10K? I know it's out there....
Thanks for your input. Chuck
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- 118 posts total
I am a PCM guy. I use Qobuz (lots of 24bit 96KHz) through Roon using Roon’s free operating system ROCK (linux based) and a NUC 7i5 computer with a $100 case so no fan noise. You build yourself using the guide on the Roon site. If you can follow instruction you can do this; I found it a fun challenging project. $600 for streamer all in, $1,100 for a used PS Audio Perfect Wave MKII DAC, Roon is $10/month or buy a lifetime subscription, Qobuz is $15/month. Entire CD collection to FLAC on hardrive in NUC. Ethernet to NUC, USB to DAC from NUC, wi-fi for controller which is computer, iphone or ipad all. It is a utility once you have put together and the Roon interface works really well. This is my setup and I am quite pleased. |
The Orchard looks like it would fit you perfectly. https://orchardaudio.com/pecanpi-streamer Or buy Volumio Primo and add a dac of your choice to get even better sound. https://volumio.org/product/volumio-primo/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSYyudGfX6E Another way with maybe slightly less good audio quality is to just buy a tablet, a cable and a Dragonfly Red or Cobalt. That would give you a nice interface compatible with all major streaming solutions. |
If you like to tinker with things one of the cheapest ways is to build a Raspberry Pi based solution yourself. I have done this and it works great for me. I use an external dac but you can also build a dac into the computer. With everything built-in it could cost as little as $150 and with an external dac it is around the same plus the price of the dac. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BUjj2mZ4o0 Card to make it possible to use an external dac (you also need the RPi and probably a case and of course, a dac) https://www.hifiberry.com/products/digiplus/ |
- 118 posts total