I need help getting this all to work?

Here's the thing. If you really want a pick up your phone and hit play solution, you may need to forego any thought of separates.

The best such solutions are receivers with built in streamers. Lots to choose from in the normal far-east market (Dennon, Yamaha, Marantz, etc). You can also do a lot with Sonos gear.

Many fewer choices from high-end brands. The integration with networking phones and software maintenance is pretty expensive so only a few of the boutique brands bother at all.

If you can sacrifice a little convenience you could do streamer + good integrated. Like the Parasound integrated for instance, but you still have to make sure the integrated is set to your streamer, AND on.

See how this goes?

This is why I pointed you to Roon and Naim. Roon for the links, Naim for the all in one solution.

The good news: You are an all Mac home, and most device makers support Mac, and not Android.

Also, Auralic makes a streamer/DAC/Amp as well.

We are a Naim dealer and the Naim stuff is really the correct choice.

The Naim Uniti range is a stunning modern all in one that sounds fantastic and has every major streaming capability that you could want.

https://www.naimaudio.com/product/uniti-atom

The new Uniti Atom has  Airplay, Blu Tooth, Dlna discovery to find your music on the network, Tune in radio, Tidal, Spotify, and even Googlecast for music streaming when one of those non Apple people show up, you can even copy your network music to a USB hard drive and have the Naim stream those files for you without having to rely on a network computer!

The Atom sounds fantastic and even though is is only 40 watts can drive a large number of speakers to a good volume and for the last two points:

1: The Uniit can run on a great app, an app makes using the system easy for anyone and allows you to do fun things such as waking to music, the built in Tune in radio app allows you to find free internet radio stations from all over the US and the rest of the world. FM Adore Jazz from France is a fantastic station is is radio Paradise. 

2: as well as being able to have an entire house filled with Naim streaming components such as the $899 Muso QB  which you can add to a Kitchen or a Guest Bedroom or a Kids room, and the entire house can be controlled via one app.

https://www.naimaudio.com/mu-so

Think of the Naim Uniti and Muso products like a great interconnected audio world like a high end Sonos. 

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ

most device makers support Mac, and not Android.

Really?  I've had at least a dozen different music servers/streamers through here and the only one that didn't support Android was the Auralic.

mofi,

At least the one’s I went shopping to in the high-end. Auralic was one, Aurender was another.

The big Asian brands all support both.

Happy to be proven wrong, since I'm 95% PC/Linux/Android here.


Best,


E

I appreciate all the help as honestly I just can't believe how things have changes in 10 years. When reading through forums you need a guide to know all the abbreviations and another to figure out what the heck all these products are.

I agree with narrowing it down to sticking with a sole brand in regards to the electronics and choosing the speakers after hearing them.

I am looking into the Naim stuff as my understanding the Atom isn't out yet. I have looked into Bluenote products. Even though I have Apple I think we need a separate storage or NAS? (Im learning the lingo I think?) I liked using ITunes vs a smaller Co app as I don't like hiccups and shortcomings.

The Hegel was interesting until I realized it did not have a standby mode.

I do have a Sony ST950? receiver but the Sony app is horrible and its integration is the reason I want a separate dedicated stereo only set up. Integration sound great but is is not easy to get right.

I appreciate the help.

Can

The Atom is certainly out we have one on display and it sounds amazing!

and it is way better than the Blu Sound stuf we are also an Nad dealer a Blue sound dealer, quite frankly we sell most of the major brands.

If you are interested in streaming it is our specaility. 

Dave 
Audio Doctor NJ

I have a system very similar to what you presently have and have been using it for over 4 years without any issues. i have never had a dropout or failure to play music. All you need to do to get started is a DAC, amplifier, and speakers. You may want to upgrade your Apple Airport Router. Refurbished Airport Extremes are routinely available for $129.

I have an iMac and a MacBook Air with our music files all on iTunes on both computers. I have 3 Apple TVs and an Airport Express all connected to stereo systems in different rooms. The Apple TVs and Airport Express are connected via an optical cable to DACs which are connected to an amplifier. I can stream my music from either computer to either stereo system wirelessly. My wife and I use our iPhones or iPads as a remote control with the iTunes Remote App. So we can be in any room and select any music file or playlist and stream it to that room. As long as the amplifier and DAC are turned on anyone can operate the iPhone or iPad as a remote and play music in any of 4 different rooms. In fact my 2 1/2 year old grandson can operate my systems on his iPad. He has his own playlist and routinely plays music in our rec room.