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Is there such a thing as a good medium priced music streamer?

OK, been using a Marantz ND8006 for 5 years or so for the infrequent times I stream music in my living room. (Infrequent cuz its a PIA) The unit is a better CDP than streamer as the HEOS app it uses is a pain in the ass in this configuration where it is resident on a separate tablet. It was a sound upgrade from a Logitech streamer I had for years which was easy to use and my wife liked but had lost support. She "dislikes to hates" the Marantz. It impacts the amount of time she listens to IR or Amazon or Spotify at home. Frankly does the same for me. So, I figured it is time for a step up to a better/dedicated streamer. I frankly was blown away by how many there are out there as well a how fragmented the functions are. I want something that will 1) stream from Tidal, Spotify, Amazon HD,etc 2) play FLAC or WAV files from my network NAS, 3) play IR like WBGO, etc. I am comfortable with spending say $2k new, maybe up to $3k if there is really a gain in sound or ease of use, reliability. I am assuming a dedicated unit will be superior to one embedded in an amp like the Marantz Model 40 or others like that. Am I "deluded", have a good enough understanding of the landscape technically (I question that frankly) and does this exist. BTW, I have heard a couple of the more costly units like 2 from Auralic and Aurender but they are out of my retiree price range. I have lurked/read alot of the posts on here on this topic and am frankly a little overwhelmed at the permutations and combinations. Im beginning to feel like a 66yo dinosaur...HELP!

joekapahulu
kmcong
52 posts
 

Biggest problem for me with some of the higher end streamers is the limited support for streaming services; many don't support Amazon,  and very few support Idagio,  which are the two that I use the most, along with Internet Radio.  Innuos support says they are working towards support for both services,  but don’t know when they'll get there.  So I'm using a Bluesound Node as it supports a very wide range of streaming services,  including the two I use.  I  upgraded it with a linear power supply and the sq improved significantly.  I  use the coaxial out into my PS Audio Directstream DAC.  I  have a pretty resolving system,  and I think the results are really good.  And the new BlueOS operating system is very intuitive. Some think it's crazy to spend almost as much on the lps upgrade as the unit itself,  but the improvement was really worth it,  imo!! BTW,  I  am beta testing the upcoming PS Audio Stellar Gold Preamp,  and it is a fantastic unit. I  think it's as good or better than the BHK Signature Preamp at two thirds the cost. 

mdalton's avatar
mdalton
481 posts
 

I veer wildly from day to day between ASR-style skepticism regarding streamers and the view that everything matters.  As a result, I have not invested heavily in any of my streamers, but have made careful choices. I have the iFi Zen Stream in one system; have been happy with the performance using Roon - some who use the app are not as happy.  In another system, I’m about to replace acRaspberry Pi with something a little more upscale; two contenders are Primare NP5 and Pro-Ject S2 Stream Ultra.   

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,317 posts
 

I use a Cambridge mxn10 that I can recommend.

rizzo1234
13 posts
 

Eversolo DMP-A6.  

It has a DAC but I go USB out to my Benchmark DAC3 L.

Excellent product.  It's a giant killer in my opinion.

mlsstl
1,438 posts
 

As has already been commented on, your complaint seems to be about the software control interface, not sound quality. I'd second the suggestion that you try the WiiM Pro first since it has a great software control interface that you can run on your smartphone or iPad. It also has its own DAC or you can output it via optical or coax to your current DAC. The WiiM Pro is the easiest to setup and use online streaming option I've come across.

Hard to go wrong for about $150 on Amazon, along with a hassle-free return if you don't like it.

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