I have a Node 1 as a streamer but I feed it through my Cambridge 851C's dac and really like the sound. There was a big improvement over the day in the Node 1. When I initially purchased the Cambridge, I brought my entire system into the store. I tried 8 different CD players through my equipment including a $6000 Marantz which should have kicked the crap out of the Cambridge. But overall the Cambridge sounded the best to me. I really enjoy it's sound. Good luck!
Advice on a streamer
I'm starting to look into a dedicated streamer. Recently, the CD's have been gathering dust while I hook up an ipad with the headphone jack to the preamp listening to youtube the majority of the time, and I'm ready to upgrade from that. I have about 300 - 400 CD's that would be nice to rip to a server with some sort of loss-less format. I'm still on the fence about that...nice to have, but I'm not completely sold on this yet (meaning that I probably won't buy any more CD's, so whatever I rip will be a one time thing (granted a long thing, but whatever)). So if I sacrifice sound for ripping, then forget it. I'm also a cheapish bastard that's not willing to drop a ton of money on a streamer.
My current system is:
Marantz SACD SA8005
Krell KSP 7B (sometimes switched with a Berning TF10)
Mcintosh MC275
B&W 683
I've been looking at Cambridge audio and Cocktail Audio for streamers. I know the Bluesound Vault 2 would do the job, but, for what I've gathered, the sound quality just isn't up to par. From what I've been reading, I will likely get Qobuz, as it seems to get more positive reviews than the other services.
My budget is between $1000 - 1500 with some flexibility. One key component is the WAF...one thing that we both like and feel it would fit in with our system is a small screen on the streamer that displays the album art (I know we should base it on sound and sound alone, but damnit, it's 2021! I want great sound and good looks!). That's why I'm leaning toward the Cambridge audio CXV/851N or one of the Cocktail Audio ones. I do not have a dedicated DAC unit and would prefer not to purchase one.
Last item to throw out there. I would to take the streamer (well, more specifically a hard drive with my music on it) to a cabin where I don't have internet access. Do these/any streamers work well without internet access to see or pull up music from a hard drive on my phone using an app through bluetooth (does that make sense?)
Does anyone have experience or suggestions on the ones I'm looking at or others I haven't suggested? Thanks!
My current system is:
Marantz SACD SA8005
Krell KSP 7B (sometimes switched with a Berning TF10)
Mcintosh MC275
B&W 683
I've been looking at Cambridge audio and Cocktail Audio for streamers. I know the Bluesound Vault 2 would do the job, but, for what I've gathered, the sound quality just isn't up to par. From what I've been reading, I will likely get Qobuz, as it seems to get more positive reviews than the other services.
My budget is between $1000 - 1500 with some flexibility. One key component is the WAF...one thing that we both like and feel it would fit in with our system is a small screen on the streamer that displays the album art (I know we should base it on sound and sound alone, but damnit, it's 2021! I want great sound and good looks!). That's why I'm leaning toward the Cambridge audio CXV/851N or one of the Cocktail Audio ones. I do not have a dedicated DAC unit and would prefer not to purchase one.
Last item to throw out there. I would to take the streamer (well, more specifically a hard drive with my music on it) to a cabin where I don't have internet access. Do these/any streamers work well without internet access to see or pull up music from a hard drive on my phone using an app through bluetooth (does that make sense?)
Does anyone have experience or suggestions on the ones I'm looking at or others I haven't suggested? Thanks!
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- 53 posts total
If you’re streaming off an iPad, suggest you try Airplay. I’m using a used Airplay 1264 connected to one of the inputs on my Marantz AV 7701. Cost $20 on eBay. Airplay supports Red Book specs. So you get regular CD quality only. I’m importing CDs into iTunes (running on a Windows PC) with Apple Lossless encoding and streaming them using Roon. But you can also stream off iTunes from your iPad/iPhone thru the Airplay modem for free. I have the Airplay device connected to my wireless network. Am also streaming AmazonHD using my iDevices and Airplay. I’m very happy with the result - both the sound and the cost. I keep my Blue Ray player to play my small collection of SACDs… |
Hello, The HEOS app makes the marantz be the streamer/DAC. I would recalibrate your Audysee to adjust 300 hz and below. I think you need the Audysee app for that type of calibration. The HEOS is free. Take the money you have and save up for a stronger DAC streamer. I have a BlueSound Node2i. I love it. I feel it is way better than the Marantz. I do have a really good sounding DAC to put my BlueSound Node into. Lumin is a great streamer but not a DAC. I prefer the BlueSound app over the Lumin app. Lumin does sound better and is killer at locating your other music on your network. You can get a BlueSound Node 2i for $450 right now. It is a DAC because it has a toslink input. The built in DAC is equivalent to a $500-$600 DAC. If you can stream all of your CDs you will leave your CD collection be until you get a killer DAC and run you CD/transport through it. This store in the Chicagoland area has the BlueSound Node 2i for $450 if you can’t locate anywhere else. https://holmaudio.com/They have the new Node but I can’t hear any difference. They also have the Vault. I am toying with buying it because it rips my CD collection and I can play that in other parts of the house or on my patio system. Some of my CDs are not streaming. |
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. Really appreciate! Seems like I got lots of thinking to do. @ redwoodaudio I'm sure the streaming services have all of the titles I have on CD's, but, last time I checked streaming services needed some sort of...internet. Out in the middle of the boondocks, internet tends to be slow...and by slow, I mean nonexistent. That's why it would be nice to have the entire music collection on a hard drive to bring with me :) However, I'm not completely sold on getting a ripper yet, so I might just focus on the streamer. Still up in the air. |
- 53 posts total