2. digital
  3. 135839-90127

Ready to move onto next stage of streaming

So for over a year I have been streaming Tidal via my Bluesound Vault 2.
Now I bought this mainly to rip all my cds to but after "discovering" Tidal I find that I rarely even playback from the Vault hard drive, I usually just find it on Tidal even if I know I have it in ripped format.

It boils down to 2 main source areas for me now,vinyl and streaming. Very happy with my analog as I do not even try to compare the two just let them happily coexist knowing they are different.

But here’s where I am at. I am sure there is probably a better setup for streaming Tidal with better sq than the Vault now.
However it still has to be as user friendly as the Vault to operate for the other denizens of chateaux Uberwaltz!
No computer science geniuses here!
Needs to be as simple as the Bluos app is right now for all to use.
Any suggestions that again does NOT revolve around any mac or pc setup.
Thank you
128x128uberwaltz
robelvick's avatar
robelvick
619 posts
 
Wise choice.
tommaster
10 posts
 
+1 on BlueSound Node 2 to Lumin for MQA (and other streaming).  I got a used T-1 at a very reasonable price.
russ751
38 posts
 
Has anyone tried the Cocktail/Novatron products?  I have the Cocktail X50D and am pleased with the sound. I also have an Aries Femto clock unit to compare it to. Any comments would be appreciated. 
oldschool1948's avatar
oldschool1948
502 posts
 
I'm new to digital and am building my first dedicated listening room.  I purchased a NAD M12 w/ BluOS module and M22 v2 combo.  Connected to the M12 is a Mac CD player, Techniques SL-1600 MK turntable, and Squeezebox Duet,  I stream Tidal using BluOS from a laptop and sometimes via the Duet.  My CD collection is ripped to a Synology NAS, I use Logitech Media Server to access my digital library via the Duet.

With Tidal, I've noticed that not all MQA & FLAC music sounds that great with my setup.  Most jazz which is what I care the most about, sounds very good to awesome.  I'm an oldschool R&B guy, and most 60's - 80's music sounds pretty good, but not as good as more recent jazz music.  

I've noticed that some transitions regardless of genre, are rather "explosive" or bright, by that I mean get too loud at their peak or the highs just appear to be too high.  I can play the same music on my analog Mac system and different speakers and don't get that same effect.

I don't know if its the NAD DAC not being able to handle that well, or just digital in general.  My NAD gear is only a couple of weeks old, so I'm hoping things will improve over time.  I also have to add acoustic treatment, which I know will help.  I've budgeted ~ $1500 for that.

I'm retired, and trying to stay within my budget.  I just ordered a Furman Elite 15PFI power conditioner and I will order a better power cable.  I use AudioQuest mid-priced interconnects.

Any advice would be appreciated.  
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
13,381 posts
 
I can concur that not all MQA&FLAC files seem to be created equal as far as Tidal is concerned.
I am not sure anything inherently wrong in your system, I experience the same at times although does not seem to be rampant in my area of predominantly rock and modern rock music.

You will likely notice a decent drop in the noise floor with the addition of your Furman and a good pc never hurts!

Nothing too much wrong with Audioquest stuff, even the budget stuff is fair.

Welcome to the world of ever decreasing circles on tweaks!
More to discover