I like streaming and it sounds pretty good. However, I do not stream my music for serious, usually by myself, listening. In those instances it is LP’s, cd’s etc...but when casually listening or with family, streaming is a great option. I also enjoy finding new music via streaming. I sort of use it to test whether or not I’d consider buying the physical copy. I have not invested a lot into the streaming stuff, as I see no benefit. What I do have sounds very good to my ears.
To Stream or not to Stream
[A collective sign resonates from forum members upon seeing "Stream" in the title] ...Before you run away, I read a number of threads dealing with streaming, so this is to ask about what I didn't learn.
I am trying to select a streaming option into my McIntosh DA2 DAC. I would like to stay south of $4k and get the best bang for my buck. It would be best if I could sit in the comfort of my chair with my MacBook, iPhone or iPad and control my music. I do not need a fancy screen on the component. They are nice, but I only care about the sound.
To make a decision / purchase I hope to get answers to the following:
This would be easy if I had money... Aurender ACS10 if I want to rip or N20, up. Others as well at these price points.
I see used N100s here... maybe that's my answer unless I want to rip. The Innuos is intriguing, but you have to buy a separate power supply... I just want to get this right the first time and be happy. I'm already gun-shy of making another purchase mistake like the new Bluesound Node 2i I need to sell... It's only a mistake because it does not do USB-out (as of this post) or support the formats I wish to stream to my DA2. Not a fan of its software either.
Thank you!
I am trying to select a streaming option into my McIntosh DA2 DAC. I would like to stay south of $4k and get the best bang for my buck. It would be best if I could sit in the comfort of my chair with my MacBook, iPhone or iPad and control my music. I do not need a fancy screen on the component. They are nice, but I only care about the sound.
To make a decision / purchase I hope to get answers to the following:
- I have a CD collection, but none are HD. Why do people rip CDs when all of those CDs can be streamed from music services? I have Tidal and want to drop it for Qobuz. Learning more about the burning CD topic will help narrow down if should go with a ripper / streamer combo.
- I can't find much on my DA2 DAC but assume it's top notch being from McIntosh? Consensus? How do I know if I should use it versus another streamer option with its own DAC?
- It appears that a USB connection is needed for DSD512 (basically the most demanding formats)? I can't find much on this but many of the recommended streamers on this site do not always have USB-out, which is confusing at some of the high price points!?
- Is DSD only achieved from ripping CDs?
- What are people doing to stream DSD512 or other formats of this quality?
- I haven't seen anyone recommend the Roon Nucleus? If I'm not going to rip CDs, is it one to add to my consideration list?
This would be easy if I had money... Aurender ACS10 if I want to rip or N20, up. Others as well at these price points.
I see used N100s here... maybe that's my answer unless I want to rip. The Innuos is intriguing, but you have to buy a separate power supply... I just want to get this right the first time and be happy. I'm already gun-shy of making another purchase mistake like the new Bluesound Node 2i I need to sell... It's only a mistake because it does not do USB-out (as of this post) or support the formats I wish to stream to my DA2. Not a fan of its software either.
Thank you!
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- 65 posts total
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However, I do not stream my music for serious, usually by myself, listening. (snip) In those instances it is LP’s, cd’s etc...I have not invested a lot into the streaming stuff,I've taken this pretty seriously and I can say, without reservation, that good streaming (minimum full red book, better: high res) sounds better than ripped CDs and ripped CDs from a good, low jitter streamer sound better than those same CDs played from a CD player --. SPDIF --> the same DAC. LPs vs digital is more of a philosophical and preferences thing. Objectively most old, commercial release records tend to suck - lots of pressing distortion, compression, etc. to me, no comparison. I am not referring to "audiophile" pressings but they are generally marginal music. But 99% of the time, LPs come in, for me, dead last. (but often romantically so) You had a different experience. Your own words explain why you feel differently. You have not put the time or $$ into making streaming good. So that's hardly a reason to criticize the format. Before you think you must spend a lot, my first epiphany came when i ripped CDs and played them backing using a Macbook pro, bitperfect, USB, running the laptop on batter to reduce ground and power supply noise. Just better. I began experimenting and never looked back. Note my ripped CDs and streaming come from the identical source: my Roon server - so its apples to apples. Just sayin' |
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- 65 posts total