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Newbie questions - Seeking a streamer with the right features - I'm confused!

OK, here is the situation.

I have a boatload of CDs I want to rip to disk and be able to stream.  I also intend to add to my music library by purchasing digital music files.

I want to "playback" digital music in two ways:

1) Connect the output of the streamer to my Parasound P5 preamp.  This preamp has both DAC digital inputs, as well as analog inputs (In other words, this preamp has an internal DAC).  Most streamers I see online have digital outputs, that I can connect to the DAC input on my preamp.  Some streamers have internal DACS, and have analog outputs as well, though it seems wasteful to pay for another DAC.  I want music played back via this method to have the maximum possible fidelity.  At any rate, for this method of playback, I think I understand my options.

2) THIS is where I get confused.  I would also like to stream music from the streamer, to remote speakers in my house.  Can this be done over my local Wi-Fi network, or would the streamer have to be able to stream to Bluetooth?  What streamers out there can do this?  I know I would have to purchase special remote speakers.  I am really confused about my options here.  It's OK if the music streaming via this method not be the best quality, just reasonable quality.

The most I can afford to spend on a streamer is $3000, MAX.  Is there anything out there that I can perform both use cases above?  Given my confusion, I suspect I have some sort of fundamental misunderstanding.

btanchors
btanchors OP
13 posts
 

thyname-

I have not purchased remote speakers yet - pending whatever solution I get for this capability.  I figured I would purchase the remote speakers after I figure out what the base solution is.  At this point,  I don't know whether I would need roon speakers, bluetooth speakers, or what.

Once I get the main solution determined, I will get remote speakers that will enable remote listening with that solution.  By the way, the $3000 limit I mentioned does not include the cost of remote speakers - I know the remote speakers will be extra cost.  Also - the sound quality when playing music remotely does not have to be Audiophile quality - just "good" quality.  I do want audiophile quality when listening hard-connected to my main audio system, though.

With this in mind, any ideas or recommendations for a solution?

2psyop's avatar
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2psyop
1,664 posts
 
Bluesound and Sonos make speakers for this. These speakers are designed as remote wireless speakers. They are self powered and can be moved wherever you want them.
thyname's avatar
thyname
3,107 posts
 
@btanchors : As you have not bought the remote speakers yet, your job is much easier. Something like Bluesound, or even Sonos would work well. There other others. They have their own streaming solution built in, software, whole home audio, etc. You don't need to buy Roon for these either.

Example: with Bluesound you can have the Node 2i that streams to your main stereo, then several speakers (Pulse, Mini, etc) placed anywhere in the house, that they all stream from Bluesound app on your phone or tablet.
mahler123
3,420 posts
 

You can stream to remote speakers via Bluetooth or AirPlay.

I am unclear if the "remote" speakers are going to be in a different room

as your main listening area or a different room.  I am also unclear if you need to be streaming to your main speakers and the remote speakers simultaneously.  If so, that is a bit tricky, because I don't know if a computer or streamer that will send a "conventional" digital signal to a dac can simultaneously send the same signal via Bluetooth or Airplay.


  If the remote speakers are in a different room, the old school  solution would be use an AVR that can do multiple zones in place of the Parasound, and then run speaker wires to those speakers, but you presumably have vetoed that.

   One solution for you might be to use Apple Home Pods as your remote speakers, and an Apple Computer as the streamer, and see if you can simultaneously stream and do Air Play.  It might work better if it stays in an all Apple environment, but I really don't know that, just speculating

btanchors OP
13 posts
 

I live in a three-story house.  The audio system, which is where the streamer would reside, is in the basement.  The remote speakers would mostly be on the first floor, one floor above the basement, or possibly outside, on my deck.  Both of these locations are well within strong signal range for Wi-Fi, but I am not sure how well it would work via Blue Tooth.

A wired solution won't work - I am hoping to have some sort of wireless solution.  Fortunately, I don't care if the wireless sound is audiophile quality.

Any thoughts on which solution - Bluesound, Sonos, etc., would be better?  I do not need to stream to both main speakers and remote speakers simultaneously.

What I want is to be able to "call up" music to be played on the remote speakers from an iPad or iPhone from the first floor without having to go downstairs into the basement to fiddle with the streamer.

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