getting into streaming

I started small with a Bluesound Node Node N-130. It has a pretty good app and a USB output that goes into the Denifrips Pontus ll I already had. I’ve been using it for just over a year now with Amazon Music HD and Qobuz. I bought a Lanier power supply for it and it made a big difference in the sound quality. I’m sure I’ll be upgrading some day,  but I’m pretty darn happy with the Node/Pontus ll setup. 

watch this and the successive videos for the basics

Hi @petaluman

The Bluesound Node has a remote and can be used with an external DAC.

The Oppo Sonica although discontinued has a remote, however output is analog.

Node is the best way for someone new to streaming without spending a ton of money.     

I bought a Bluesound Vault 2i in 2019 and I wish I started streaming sooner.    

In August I picked up an Aurender N200 and while it was more than I had originally planned on spending,  it was worth the money.    

I guess it all depends on what your associated components are but there are tons of choices.    

@jamike The Bluesound remote can simply allow one to choose between 10 "presets" that would be set up via smartphone or computer. It would be useless for navigating through hundreds of albums and thousands of favorite tracks and exploring thousands/millions of tracks, waiting to be discovered.

@oddiofyl I agree with you. If OP wants to try streaming, a Node 3 or even a Node 2i can output to his DAC and provide a great, intuitive user interface and quality SQ. A smartphone or a lower price tablet wold be needed/wanted to navigate millions of tracks, save albums and create playlists. No, you don't need to spent 2 grand on your home network, but you do want reliable broadband internet.

I'm in my 2nd year with a Node 2i and nicer external DAC. I went from 85% vinyl and 15% CD listening to 75% streaming and have enjoyed every minute of it. There might be a Denefrips Ares II in my future but I'm enjoying what I've got, so no rush.

Spent 600-700 now ..getting a very useable user interface and great sound. If you're loving it in a year or 2, keep it...or upgrade to a more esoteric streamer and sell the Node for ⅔rds to ¾ths of what you paid for it. The tablet will still be useful for the next streamer.

(The tablet doesn't have to be high end... it's only used for navigation and control. The streamer is doing all the work)

IMHO trying out streaming and experiencing all the benefits shouldn't mean setting up and maintaining a Roon server and/or spending 3-5K on a streamer nor 2k on network improvements.