2. digital
  3. 133527-107843

Does a streamer do anything to the data that Tidal provides?

I have been streaming Tidal to my HiFi for the past 4 years with a streamer and a DAC connected to my amplifier (Raumfeld streamer to Musical Fidelity DAC and also Musical Fidelity Amp). I also have an all-in-one system for my summer house (Naim Muso Qb). So, I know the basics and I am only interested in streaming from Tidal.

What I struggle to understand is, what the streamer does apart from transporting the digital signal and therefore why it could make sense to invest in an expensive streamer.

I understand what Digital to Analogue Conversion does and that it makes sense to ensure a good quality, but isn't the streamer just a transporter of data? Does the streamer do anything to the data that Tidal delivers apart from receiving them and sending them to the DAC? 

Thanks in advance, Michael 
mtraesbo
sbrownnw
707 posts
 
On a similar note, what is the best option for internet radio these days?  I don't want to stream from my computer, and listed to my local radio stations a good deal (most of them have internet radio presence).  I might want to stream some music from Amazon Music from my iPhone.  What would be the best solution here?

@willemj I do not see a digital output listed on the Chromecast Audio specs.
willemj
1,036 posts
 
Let me reassure you. I have a few Chromecast Audio streamers, some using the analogue output from the internal DAC, others using the optical digital output. The digital output uses the mini optical connector into the same little slot as the little analogue output does, in the same way some Apple products do. For a test, see here: http://archimago.blogspot.nl/2016/02/measurements-google-chromecast-audio_27.html
The digital output is a relatively unknown feature. I have heard from several people who, like me, were told in a store that the Chromecast Audio only has an analogue output.
On the software side, I am happy with the TuneIn app. It even has a sleeptimer.
erik_squires
16,331 posts
 
My practical experience:

Depends somewhat on the DAC. I used a Wyred4Sound re-clocker, and it worked really nicely between a Squeezebox and an older DAC.

Since I upgraded the DAC, this no longer matters.

Best,

E
sbrownnw
707 posts
 
@willemj thanks for the reply.  I'm not sure if the Chromecast Audio is for me as I wish I had the control of the Chromecast Audio using TuneIn and a dedicated ethernet and power plug like the Apple Airport Express.  Does this type of box exist for less than $99?  Maybe I will just get an Apple Airport Express (want one in black).
willemj
1,036 posts
 
Not sure what you want with the ethernet and power plug and why. The Chromecast can use an additonal/optional wired connector if your wifi is not strong enough, and it comes with a power plug (in fact the wired connection uses a special net adapter). What it will not do (unlike the Airport Express) is serve as an additional router to beef up your wifi network (you will need something else for that).
One other difference is that the Chromecast only uses your smartphone or tablet to extablish the connection and as a remote. The actual streaming is done directly from your router to the Chromecast. The downside is that if you want to give it a new command that may take a litle while (and not all apps are very good at this), but the advantage is that it does not need your phone/tablet to actually stream, so youir phone's battery is not drained and you may even turn it off.
Finally, the AE is only 16/44 while the CA goes up to 24/96 (if you care about this).
More to discover