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Do I Need a Dedicated Streamer?

Hello everyone,

As the title states, I am still unsure of if I need a dedicated streamer and if it would increase the fidelity of my music compared to how I am listening at the moment. Which is using AirPlay 2 from my iPhone to my Hegel H590 Integrated amp.

 

I know that the DAC in the Hegel H590 is considered quite good and it was one of the reasons that I bought the amplifier to begin with. However, would I get a better input using a dedicated streamer for around $1000 (such as the Cambridge CXNV2 for example) or would I be better off leaving things as is?

I am just not sure if airplaying music to the Hegel is degrading the signal in comparison to a streamer that would pull its own data and send it directly to the amplifier? Also, would improving my router placement and wifi signal make any difference to the sound since my Hegel is hardwired using a mesh wifi system?

 

I am open to switching streaming platforms if I can gain something out of it such as resolution but I’m not sure if apple music is the issue in any of this.

 

If the answer to the title is a no. I am curious what I would need to take the quality of my listening experience to the next level or where money would be better spent to achieve that. I do have acoustic panels in my room and have done my fair share of research on speaker placement already.

 

The only thing that I have been considering in the near-future would have to be the isoacoustics gaia 1 feet.

 

My equipment:

Hegel H590 Integrated

KEF Reference 5 Meta

Metra Velox Speaker Cables

 

Thanks for reading.

danb99
tk21
238 posts
 

I suppose that I could wire my mac mini using a usb cable to my Hegel and get streamer level quality without buying a dedicated device?

Try it. What do you have to lose if you already have the Mini? I've used this setup (with different amps/DACs) and it works fine.  You can host Roon Core on a Mini (or other full-function computer) as well as Audirvana or (of course) Apple Music.  Turn off Time Machine (or schedule it to run at night) and other process that might interrupt the music stream.

In my opinion, your choice of streaming platform may be best dictated by the services you want it to support and how you want to control it. With a full-function computer (like the Mini) you have many options.  After you've experimented with a few, down the road you might want to add a dedicated streamer.  If by then you've decided (for example) you like Roon, you can focus on Roon-Ready streaming devices.  In that case, one of the Rendu products would be an option;  Aurender (at this time) would not be.  

 

baylinor's avatar
baylinor
1,419 posts
 

@danb99 

I'll leave the dedicated streamer thing alone since it has been discussed ad nauseum. But I think your consideration of Iso gaya I feet is one to pursue. I just installed them under my PBN MONTANA XPS speakers and the result was nothing less than stunning. Mainly in the very low frequencies, they have tightened the bass considerably getting rid of any kind of rumble anywhere in the room, even in the back corners, while losing none of the punch. Also the presentation has overall become more precise and a tat brighter. A very significant upgrade for under 1k.

ronboco
842 posts
 

@danb99 

Another vote for the blusound N130 with an external LPS. Bypass the nodes internal DAC.  This combination is quite good and the BluOS app Is really good too. Good luck!

pennfootball71's avatar
pennfootball71
278 posts
 

“Do I Need a Dedicated Streamer?”

 

does a bear go to the bathroom in the woods?

pennfootball71's avatar
pennfootball71
278 posts
 

If it came with the amp it’s worth nothing because it was free! They are using junk little tiny boards and OP amps!

So yes you need a better DAC and better streamer!

plan on a budget if 5-10k each and another 2k for each for proper cables! 

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