2. digital
  3. 181325-2589

wanting to take a digital step

hello, more lately I have been discovering artists on Bandcamp and elsewhere who don't put things out on vinyl. More often new things I have bought on vinyl don't always sound that great.  so with that I want to try a cheap set up of some kind to listen from my laptop connected to my system. I did have some cheap $10 interconnects that did the job, barely. just wondering what some digital vets would suggest. Any simple decent solutions for say <500 that would be ok? I have tried looking on different threads and it got confusing. Do I get a cheap CD player or some kind of better set of interconnects to listen from a laptop. I just don't know.  thank you.

fourwnds
soix
10,359 posts
 

@charles1dad Sorry, I can’t answer your very good question yet as I’m away from home and so haven’t yet been able to compare one versus the other.  But, I have a specific issue that I’m using Qobuz via an MConnectHD app with my iFi Zen Stream (iFi doesn’t have the ability to link directly to Qobuz — argh!) and am having connection issues via Wi-Fi that apparently disappear when using a wired Ethernet connection either from a router or a Wi-Fi extender.  I don’t have the ability to run an Ethernet cable from my router to my streamer as my listening room is too far away, but @ghdprentice has reported excellent results using a Wi-Fi extender and Ethernet connection in his top-notch streaming setup, so I’m kinda hanging my hat on that.  When I do get to compare the two I’ll definitely report back.

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 

@soix 

👍

Charles 

doni
396 posts
 

Check out the new Wiim Pro for less than $200.  You’ll probably want an external DAC, but that’s not a problem.  Get a Schiit Modi or my favorite, the Geshelli J2.  Subscribe to Qobuz, and you will be in audio heaven!

john737
6 posts
 

Node used or open box.... to get the music from your computer to the node I just copy it to a USB thumb drive or a large "backup" drive and plug it into the Bluesound (Playlists in the root directory).   You will then have easy, fast access to all your music.  Or you could set up an NAS, but that seems like a bit of work.  

However, the real beauty is access to high quality music from Tidal, Qobuz and Amazon (also others like Paradise Radio).  

smatsui
185 posts
 

I have 2 streaming systems in 2 different systems in my home.   One is wired and the other uses a WiFi extender wired to the streamer.  Both systems use very high end streamers, Aurender W20SE (wired) and the Grimm Audio MU1 (WiFi extender).  I also have excellent network switches in front of each streamer.  For the W20SE, I have an Etherregen with OCXO clock and a Sonore Optical Module Deluxe.  For the MU1, I have a Innous PhoenixNet network switch.

Both systems sound great streaming Tidal and Qobuz.  I'm really not sure which is better but they're both in the same league. Here's what the rest of each system looks like:

Aurender W20SE > Holo May KTE > Audio By Van Alstine FET Valve CF tube preamp > Enleum 23R (used as a power amp) > Klipsch Cornwall IV speakers

Grimm MU1 > Bricasti M1SE > Holo Serene KTE preamp or Woo Audio W23 (used as preamp/headphone amp) > McIntosh MC452 amp > Harbeth M40.1 speakers

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