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Newbie Looking for Advice on Streaming Music

Hello Audiogon world.

I am new to this hobby but I think it will suit me well as it looks like it is an endless pursuit of perfection of sound without ever really getting there.  I love the endless possibilities, difference in thought, technology driven aspect mixed with old school art.

I am in the process of building my first 2 channel set up and recently picked up a Primaluna Dialogue HP and a pair of Sonus Faber Chameleons for starters.

Im looking to stream music from Tidal to the new equipment as simple as possible without compromising sound as much as I possibly can (budget permitting of course)

I have been doing some research and I must say this part of the equation is rather confusing with a lot of technical speak that gets brought into the discussion which is a bit overwhelming for a newbie trying to soak it all in.

Do I need to purchase a high quality DAC?
Can I just buy a streaming box like the Paradigm PW Link or Def Tech W Adapt and hook it into the Primaluna?
Do I go with the Halide Design DAC HD D/A Converter from computer straight into Primaluna?
I also read about the wyred4sound modified Sonos Connect.  Does that plus into a DAC or straight into Amp?

Apologies for all the newbie questions.  I did try searching and doing some research but found myself getting confused.  If someone could help me clear up what I will need that will set me on the path to researching the best value for my budget for each component I will need to accomplish my goals of streaming my music from Tidal.

Thanks in advance.  I think this will be a fun hobby!

Don

donblackie
shadorne's avatar
shadorne
7,477 posts
 
@audioengr

Great that you are measuring jitter, however, you are just using your ears to judge if a DAC rejects jitter and sounds right - in fact you claim that no DACs successfully reject jitter which is counter to several manufacturers claims as well as independent test results ? How do you reconcile your conflicting approach when there already exists a jitter J test which is used by Stereophile and which is part of the measurement suite offered with Audio Precision test equipment(the world leader in audio test gear)?

Also I am curious that a jitter expert does not use AP test equipment? Is there a problem with AP equipment also? Just curious because you make many claims but your approach is let’s say - rather unorthodox.




audioengr
3,282 posts
 

shadorne

I suspect that differences in SQ when changing cables or sources on S/PDIF can be heard in DACs with low J test jitter.  I just don't put much stock in this method.  I have yet to hear ANY DAC that is immune to jitter on the S/PDIF input.

The B/W of AP equipment is insufficient to do direct jitter measurements.  I need the 7GHz scope.

I like to think outside the box.  That is what sets my products apart from the pack.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

audioengr
3,282 posts
 
No streamer, a computer plugged into the DAC via ethernet cable, and that’s it.

You must be using a swap cable to go directly from computer to DAC with Ethernet.

Would probably get better SQ using a router with a LPS with earth ground tied to DC common to wire to the DAC.  Leakage is a significant problem across Ethernet interfaces.

If you cannot do this, at least get a EMO EN-70e isolator and put it in the cable.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

donblackie OP
13 posts
 
@marktomaras 
Thanks!  I have no feedback yet on the configuration since everything is still en route to me.  Im literally that new to this hobby.  Im sure anything will sound nicer than my 2 sonos Play speakers I currently use to listen to spotify :)

Good info on the bridge.  I was under the impression I needed to use the RJ45 port on the DAC and hardwire that into my network.  Everything in my house is Wireless, router is in a closet and the stereo is going in an area that would be difficult to drop ethernet cable into.

But now I see what you are saying.  Plug my macbook into the bridge (easy to do) and control the playlist via roon or tidal app.  Makes sense.  Would be nice to have a solution to where I dont have to plug in my laptop.  Thats where I was thinking the chromecast could come in handy?
audioengr
3,282 posts
 

You can certainly use WIFI from your latop and even the DAC.  The DAC however requires more attention for good results, since it is the endpoint.

If you want a WIFI solution that sounds really good, I have one with grounded LPS supply and CAT7 cables as well as an isolator.  Not cheap though.  You just located this next to your DAC and plug the Ethernet from the DAC into this.  It is WPS enabled, meaning that it learns your network and password from your router.  Once it learns this, then the network is secure.  During the programming, it's not secure.  Takes about 5 minutes.

WPS I believe is Wireless Pairing System.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

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