Streaming

Hi OP,

I’m in the 70’s club as well. Today you can get the same or better sound quality and with streaming and have access to nearly infinite music. It is actually a complete game changer… and you do not need to get up. You can see my systems under my UserID.

Streaming is like all other aspects of audio… you need carefully chosen equipment and you get what you pay for.

If you want equivalent quality to the rest of your system then the streamer and DAC should equal about the same cost as your preamp, or TT, or amp. Or you can take a budget approach and get budget sound quality.

Qobuz is the best service. $14.99 / month gives you access to millions of albums. You plunk down your streamer, turn on, add an app to your iPad and control your streamer from there.

Unless you like to, fiddle with computers, skip Roon, you don’t need it. Life is too short.

For high end look at Aurender streamers, ARC DAC

For toe dipping Bluesound or LUMIX Streamer, and Schiit DAC.

Dave and Troy 

The post queries on what streaming entails and is it worth it. 

NOT giving you money.

Looks like you have internet-your post. 

For a retired person with a love for music and time on their hands

I think Streaming would be very entertaining.

Other costs:

Monthly music provider- about $15 for CD quality or better. Qobuz, Tidal, Amazon

You can still find and play new music for nothing. Spotify and many others.

If you want help finding and sorting your streamed music

you can spend another $15/ month of Roon's Service. 

The IFI gear seems to be a deal. As are Topping DACs.

Initial setup is the hurdle. Find someone who streams to help you.

Keep us posted on your progress!!

To get up and running easily with, bluetooth, wifi, ethernet, tidal, qobuz, roon, and also get decent sound quality, you can get this 1 device (also a nice match for PASS).

Matrix Mini-i Pro 3 Wireless Bluetooth DAC/Amp – Apos Audio

I gave this unit to a buddy of mine who had no desire to get into the technical woods of streaming. Just plug it in and listen. You would need to subscribe to a streaming service but that is easy to do.

You would connect this DAC’s RCA or XLR outputs into your preamp. I am assuming you have a preamp since you mention a CD player.

If you go with WiFi on this device, it can get a bit tricky, and an occasional reboot of the DAC may be needed when it does not work. With an Ethernet wired connection it works 100% of the time.

BTW - I have a different steaming setup that is as good as it gets but is much more complicated. The suggestion I am making is very good and rather simple.