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Streaming Audio Questions

I've recently started back into the whole stereo game after many years. I am interested in getting into streaming audio to my stereo and have questions I hope to get help with. Is it better to get a streaming system like the Bluesound Node going into my system or is a decent quality DAC from my laptop the way to go? I first heard a Sonos player through some darn good gear at a stereo shop and was underwhelmed with the sound quality. I read on the internet about the hi- res playback of the Bluesound and wonder if that is a good stand alone unit or if a DAC from my laptop would be as good or better than the Bluesound? Are there other hi-res streamers on the market? Is Tidal the only hi- res streaming site? Anyways, a bunch of noob questions I'm sure but I really need some guidance. Opinions would be appreciated.
bhans
audioengr
3,282 posts
 

If your goal is sound quality with server driven audio, then Jitter is the #1 thing to reduce. The #2 thing is to eliminate or minimize the effect of the digital filter in the DAC. This is what wins best of shows and Golden Ear awards. This is why the new Meridian MQA technology is interesting. This is why so many use NOS DACs with older D/A chips in them.

The #3 thing to optimize is the server software, which means the player S/W, CODECs, power supply, OS and background tasks etc..  One product that optimizes all of this for you is the Antipodes server from New Zealand.  I would not hesitate to use one at a trade show and I have.  The Sony HAP series is very good, but beaten handily by the Antipodes.

If you dont care about SQ, then ignore these and buy the $250 DAC and the $500 server.

If your budget is $2K, then just get the Sony top of line HAP.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

rsangole
12 posts
 
Noob #2 in line here. Not wanting to high-jack the OPs question, but my question may be inline with his and relevant.

I have a peachtree audio nova 220se that drive some cm9s2 speakers.

To enable streaming, I was going to get a chromecast audio and hook it up to the peachtree using a toslink.

My audio sources are 90% Spotify, the other 10% being Amazon Music or Tidal.

2 Questions:
1. Would I benefit from a reclocker / any other modifications to drive the quality up?
2.  Would you experienced folk recommend not getting the CCA, and sticking with something from bluesound or sonos instead?
jl35
4,152 posts
 
Spotify and Amazon are very low quality sound sources...not worth reclocking or modding...Tidal is worth it
rsangole
12 posts
 
Yes. I heard tidal for the first time today. Much better quality. I believe I'll be making a shift to tidal premium from Spotify. 
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