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Streaming for beginner

I have a PS Audio front end-- DMP disc player and DirectSteam DAC. Very happy with the resolution and performance, especially from my redbook cd collection. For those familiar with the DSD, it is upgradable via a network bridge card to become a dedicated streamer. When I bought this DAC, I was looking ahead to an eventual migration to streaming.
I also have a Spotify account, that currently only serves me as a companion to my iPhone during walks and exercise.

My question: assume my goal is to stream for convenience, simplicity, and achieve audio quality that equals or surpasses that of redbook cd’s. I am not looking to purchase music or download it for storage. What am I missing? I also have a dedicated iPad that can serve as the interface to the DAC/Streamer. Spotify also claims that streaming in high resolution is available on my account. Do I need anything else? Am I oversimplifying this?

I am a beginner when it comes to streaming, so please answer in simple terms since I will not be familiar with a lot of the services and components mentioned elsewhere in these forums. In fact, confusing enough for me that it is forcing me to ask here.


mbiondo
jl1ny's avatar
jl1ny
394 posts
 
@larry5729 
The Node2i with an outboard DAC is a unbeatable combo for the $$$. I have a Node2i with
a Musical Paradise tubed DAC and it’s wonderful. I also have the Node running direct via RCA into the AUX2 on my preamp, so I can directly A/B Tidal MQA files. even though my DAC doesn’t process MQA it still sounds way better than the Node playing MQA. 
ghjuvanni
92 posts
 
Tidal MQA is also lossy. You can hear it on some classical music, especially piano. Tidal 'specializes' in popular music so it doesn't matter much. Qobuz HiRes is truly high-res meaning higher sampling rates and bit depths. That said, redbook params are possibly just enough.
jaudio1
120 posts
 
Install the network bridge and ditch spotify as it is NOT high rez.  Get either Tidal HIFI or Qobuz. In fact if you go to best buy they have a deal with Tidal for $99 for a year paid upfront for their hifi (most hi rez) service.  Then your done.
rols's avatar
rols
22 posts
 
My question: assume my goal is to stream for convenience, simplicity, and achieve audio quality that equals or surpasses that of redbook cd’s. I am not looking to purchase music or download it for storage. What am I missing? I also have a dedicated iPad that can serve as the interface to the DAC/Streamer. Spotify also claims that streaming in high resolution is available on my account. Do I need anything else? Am I oversimplifying this?

I think the piece you are missing is Roon. This piece of friendly software will make the experience of using a streaming service and finding / keeping track of your music much simpler, much more pleasurable. 

Roon plus a music collection plus a streaming service is a real eye opener. 

Yes its a bit of a hassle, because you will need a computer to run the "core" (the main roon software" on - this could be anything in your house that is connected via wires to your network, or you can buy a box specifically for running the core software on. Yes its not cheap. But boy will it improve your enjoyment of music. It might even end up making it sound nicer to.
bluemoodriver
193 posts
 
Another plug for Roon here. I like the way Roon and Qobuz interact. The only problem is that Roon makes it so easy and so fascinating to explore and learn about music that you spend too much of your time reading and clicking and forgetting to listen. 
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