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Streaming questions

I have finally given in to pressure and decided to start streaming. I joined Qobuz and have started putting together a playlist which I assume will be no problem to play in my car with the Qobuz app. I would appreciate some recommendations for the streaming device that I will use with my home system. My gear is midfi: Revel Performa3 206, and Rega Elix-r integrated. When I get the streaming device how do I get it to play my playlist which I generated on my Mac? I am completely clueless as to how this all works. Greatly appreciate your help. Thanks

heirofmozart
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
7,991 posts
 

Streamers vary in quality and in ease of use when it comes to software. I’m assuming you need either a one piece streamer DAC combo or separates since you didn’t mention you have a DAC already. 

if you specify your budget you will receive a more appropriate recommendation. 

soix
11,249 posts
 

What’s your budget for a streamer and/or DAC, and are you looking for new or used?

gkelly's avatar
gkelly
1,044 posts
 

One of the great things I like about streaming is that it’s completely different than when we wanted to set the clock on our VCRs. Unlike then, you needed a physics degree in electrical engineering to program it. It seems like the nerds had learned their lessons and now make it so much easier for the rest of us. 

dbtom2
387 posts
 

1) Mac to DAC via USB. 

2) DAC to E-lixr via L&R interconnects. (Many good DACS out there.)

3) Then decide how you want to stream after you've streamed for a while.

 

Good luck. 

ghdprentice's avatar
ghdprentice
9,473 posts
 

Congratulations on joining the world of streaming. While you can use Macs and PCs to stream, it is not recommended. I have streamed off of about every platform possible in the last twenty years. You want a dedicated streamer... made for the purpose of similar quality to the rest of your system. With this you will then use an iPhone, or iPad, (you can use a PC as well) to control your streamer... search and ID music, etc. 

I recommend looking at Blue Sound. Optimizing your system typically results in each component in your system costing (you must identify the best of class for each) about the same... with the speakers around 50% more. So your Streamer ~= DAC ~= Preamp ~= amp. Since your amp is integrated... then you would be looking for a Stream and DAC of roughly the same budget range. Not a hard and fast rule... but always round up if you have a choice. 

Bluesound makes some great Streamers / DACs I recommend the best you can afford. I have one, I also have an Aurender N150 for my headphone system ($3.5K + a $4K DAC) and an Aurender W20SE for my main system ($22K and a $18K DAC). I have experience with many more. So I feel pretty comfortable in my recommendation. 

You can see my systems under my userID under Virtual Systems. 

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