Streamer/server newbie

I am not a huge fan of Bluesound, but they are a traditional starting point for audiophiles getting into streaming, so I mentioned them.  It was my first streamer and I have moved on, but the app works pretty well and purely as a streamer it isn't bad.  One big advantage is that one can directly import numerous streaming services without resorting to Bluetooth or AirPlay or my favorite, Chromecast.

My favorite currently is Cambridge Audio CXN 60, and I own two of them.  The OP doesn't need the DAC, but it's decent and I use the DAC in my second system.  In my primary system the CXN 60 feeds a Bryston DAC3.  The CA particualrly does a great job implementing Chromecast, and I will frequently play high res files stored on my Android Phone that way, and it in no way sounds like a budget component.

And it is superb for Internet Radio and Podcasts.  The server is a Melco N100 NAS, which also can be used as a player, but since it lacks Chromecast and AirPlay and since I frequently switch between my phone with Apple Music and the files on the NAS it is just simpler to stay within the CA.

  At any rate, as a newbie streamer who doesnt need a DAC, I reiterate that the OP

imo is best served getting a quality but relatively inexpensive component and then upgrading if he/she wishes if streaming becomes a significant source for them

BTW here is how small the PI 4 is in a fanless case without hat. You can hide it behind your equipment in a stereo rack. Has built in wifi that seems to work fine. Or you can use the lan ethernet connection.

The LPS is a $89 unit from Amazon. Also works great.

I came across this pro Raspberry Pi setup that looked interesting the other day. I saw Alvin at Vineshine Audio reviewing it and he is selling in Asia.

https://www.pi2design.com/mercury-streamer-v2.html

The builder is based in USA so I ordered one from him this morning as I am still short one streamer for a headphone tube amp I just bought.

Will report back once I get it. Not sure it will sound any different than the one I built but like I said it is a more pro build which will look nicer in my table top system so worth the extra bucks to me. Will install Ropiee as I only stream with Roon. It also easily takes a generic 12V LPS with no mods in place of the external switching power supply included.

I have the above setup in one system and I also have a Lumin U1 streamer in my main system. The upgrades to DAC amp and speakers are so much more bang for the buck then the small improvement in sound by spending $5k more on U1 streamer...don’t get me wrong it is a great streamer but it was the last component I upgraded. I was shocked and surprised at how good the Raspberry Pi sounds into a good DAC (USB connection - no hat). Everything I read and see online says buy a streamer costing thousands.

I picked up a Bryston BDP Pi for like $500 used. It’s based on the Raspberry Pi. Then invested ~$1K for a Small Green Computer to host the Roon Core. Then switched the Pi to Roon Endpoint. Dolled it all up with some decent cabling and Mesh network. I am amazed at how good it sounds. I would like to someday switch to optical rendu endpoint.

I agree: spend the rest of the budget on good cables, network infrastructure and DAC.

@mahler123 Not to disagree too much with what you said but the lower cost streamers are not that good. The Bluesound Node (I have N130) is not bad for the cost but the USB audio out is poor and not compatible with all devices. ifi Zen Stream buggy software and wifi drop outs. Similar issues with Musical Fidelity MX Stream and Roon compatibility.

A Raspberry PI in its most basic form - just the motherboard in a fanless heatsink case with a linear power supply running Ropiee outputing USB audio will rival streamers costing thousands. Keep it simple for best results. It is only a network bridge to pass digital data. A good DAC will take that data and buffer it and use its own internal timing to deal with errors and jitter in the data.

If setting up Ropiee on a Pi is not appealing then the lowest tier streamer I would recommend is a Lumin U1 Mini / U2 Mini (and add the LHY liner power supply kit). Lumin has stable software and good hardware.

Lumin U2 or U2-Mini are great choices.  (I'm a Lumin dealer)

But you mentioned "download"....neither of these will have on-board storage, so if you truly want to download cds, you will need a NAS or storage device.  If you only want to stream (Tidal/Qobuz/etc), then you are good to go.

You have a healthy budget but that doesn’t mean you are required to use it.  Since you aren’t that sure about streaming I would suggest go slow.  The largest determinant of sound is the DAC, and you have one that you like.  Transports matter, and the more that you spend, the better you get, but affordable streamers

such as Bluesound sound pretty good, especially with High Resolution material.

My suggestion is buy a less expensive but quality component.  If you later decide streaming isn’t for you, you won’t be looking at a $5K albatross on your equipment rack.  If you love streaming and down the road wish to upgrade, then spend more.

Streaming frequently isn’t plug and play like.CD player or even a turntable.  They are more like networking computers and subject to the same foibles.  For example, the software program is a huge part of the experience.  I had a Bryston streamer that sounded fantastic but was hugely frustrating due to a horrible software program.  I replaced it with a Cambridge Audio CXN 60 that cost 1/3 as much, sounds about 96% as good, and has an easily managed app.  It also has Chromecast and AirPlay so I can stream directly from a mobile device if I don’t want to play the files on my server

Intel NUC Roon Server is around $600.

A Raspberry Pi 4 with Ropiee is about $250 + linear power supply $90.

Roon lifetime subscription $830.

Spend the rest on a good DAC, amp, speakers, headphones if any of those items you already have are something you might consider upgrading.

I have the above setup in one system and I also have a Lumin U1 streamer in my main system. The upgrades to DAC amp and speakers are so much more bang for the buck then the small improvement in sound by spending $5k more on U1 streamer...don’t get me wrong it is a great streamer but it was the last component I upgraded. I was shocked and surprised at how good the Raspberry Pi sounds into a good DAC (USB connection - no hat). Everything I read and see online says buy a streamer costing thousands.

Look at an Innuos Zenith.  It’s got an onboard CD drive and storage, and their Sense software is free and gets great reviews for both usability and sound quality and is constantly being upgraded.  They offer great customer support, and you can add their Phoenix to gain further improvements.  You could also look at Wolf that also gets great reviews and may be in the same price range.  Best of luck. 

For $5K you could build a nice Roon server and endpoint.

As soon as you get a great streamer, other digital sources become irrelevant except for nostalgia. Most of the streamed albums I play are in higher resolution than CD. Qobuz has over half a million high Rez albums and millions more at CD resolution. You want a high quality streamer. The better the streamer the better the sound up to to the level of your DAC and other components.

I have been trying to get digital close to vinyl for decades… finally, with a contemporary streamer it is achievable. I have tried many approaches to streaming and streamers including Auralic… I recommend Aurrender. It is all they do, and they all sound great… getting better with increasing in cost. If you buy a… say N250 you can later upgrade your DAC and improve the sound even more.

@mark360 

All of the brands you mention provide great solutions for your system. I’m not really big on streaming- I prefer to rip CD’s for playback via my Naim Uniti Core. Although I do stream to audition music prior to purchasing. As mentioned above I recently purchased a Lumin U2 Mini to run through my dac and it provides a great presentation when streaming Qobuz.

Given your system and your desires just get a Lumin U-2 mini to act as a transport.  Simple and inexpensive.  I got rid of all of my CD's once I got a Lampizator Pacific and Horizon DAC and a Lucas Audio Music Server. LDMS.  I just sit in my chair with my Ipad and enjoy 8 tb's of music and Tidal and Qobuz.  In my system the SQ is as good as CD easily!