Help with streaming Tidal's Master tracks


Hi folks, new guy here so please bear with me. 

I would like some advice about what exactly I would need hardware wise to enable Tidals master music. Right now I am streaming their cd quality with either apple airplay from my airport express output or from dish music through dish hopper output.

I realize I must use my computer to get the master tracks but am a little confused as to what additional hardware I need. My IMac is in a different room but I can run cables if need be. My equipment right now is a Jolida 3502p amp and a Schitt Freya preamp, my speakers are Paradigm studio 60'sv3. So as you see not real high end stuff but what I can afford. I'm pleased with the sound quality but would like to try the master tracks from Tidal. I don't have a dac. Would you folks explain to me what I would need to do to use Tidal at its full potential. I appreciate any advice you can offer. Thanks, erik

petware
Audioquest Dragonfly Red plugged into a USB port on your computer (or into a USB cable from computer to  your audio gear if the run is longish).  Mini plug with Y splitter into the Dragonfly to provide left and right channel signals into your preamp via RCAs. Use the Midi function in your iMac to ensure output is going to the Dragonfly. Tidal should also recognize the Dragonfly when you look at the Streaming options. Max out both computer, Tidal and Dragonfly volume. Make sure the Freya volume is turned all the way down and muted when first trying things out. Unmute and then gradually increase volume to avoid any unpleasant surprises. Good luck.

BTW - don’t apologize about your gear. It is fine! You can ALWAYS spend more. Any fool can. If you are happy with the sound, that’s all that matters. Have a Schitt Freya myself and love it. My first tube amp was a JoLida 502B integrated.
Thanks Ghosthouse, that seems simple enough! I was under the impression that I needed some kind of mqa liscensed special box or such to get the full benefits from Tidal. I like your solution and it fits my budget as well. Are you aware of any way I can use an iPhone or iPad as a remote to control the iMac in a different room? I appreciate the help
erik
re "MQA licensed special box" - pretty certain that’s what the AQ Red amounts to...a DAC with software to "decode" MQA (with the requisite legal hurdles having been jumped). Personally, I’m not all hung up about MQA playback but when I listen to Tidal via headphones and use the Red, Tidal streaming is at Master level quality. On the big system, the Gungnir MB doesn’t do MQA though the Aries Mini is MQA enabled and shows Tidal Masters.

I do use an iPhone with Auralic’s DS Lightning App to control the Aries Mini. That probably doesn’t help you. However, depending on what I’m trying to use as source, I also see AirPlay as an option on the iPhone and in the Macbook’s Midi. Don’t know if you can use iPhone>>AirPlay>>iMac to control Tidal located on your iMac.
I freely admit to being a knuckle-dragging, late adopter on this stuff.

Didn't mention it specifically but we do have a wireless network in the house (Apple Airport Express).  If you do too, that should let an iPad or iPhone "see" your iMAC.  Or so I think. 

ALSO- the latest Dragonfly Black (in effect, v3) is cheaper than the Red but I don't know if it is MQA-enabled.  
Thank you Ghosthouse, you’ve been a big help! I do have an airport express for wifi, I’ll see if I can get it to work. You mention you’re not hung up on mqa playback. I’ve never heard better than cd quality except old DVD audio discs on my system. Is the difference in your opinion worth it or negligible in sound quality? My magic bullet chasing can be futile sometimes so I like to hear others opinions

edit
i guess what I'm asking is should I skip the mqa stuff and maybe get a dac rather than relying on the airport express that will make my streaming sources sound better or will the tidal masters really sound much better?