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Why does streaming need to be so complex

Been struggling for a while now. I simply want the best source for my Apple Music subscription, Tidal Hi-Fi subscription and now Amazon Music HD subscription. I really don’t care about a DAC as I am using an external Benchmark DAC. Got a revealing system using Sim Audio power amp and Von Schweikert speakers. Currently using Apple TV and Fire TV through my OPPO 105 HDMI in and Coax out to DAC. Both sources are not capable of passing Hi-Res. Raspberry PI solution though good needs technical skills, Aurelic product does not support Amazon Music HD, list continues with audiophile streamers missing some functionality or the other. 
The only decent streamer out there that covers it all is Bluesound node 2 and 2i and they continue to keep the customers in mind with updates. Is that the only option out there? Am I stuck with building my own using Mac mini or Raspberry PI? Budget is $1500. 
ghulamr
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,964 posts
 
Any smartphone, tablet or computer with apple lightning or usb digital outputs to an external dac can be used for high quality streaming using most any source or app including somehing new like Amazon hd music. . No special devices needed.
ghulamr's avatar
ghulamr OP
104 posts
 
@mapman i agree -but here is the limitation to that. Don’t think iPhone 8 or newer can stream 24/192 and secondly you will need a Apple USB camera adapter and from there a USB to SPDIF converter (my Benchmark DAC does not have USB). The converter and adapter adds so much jitter and noise that it becomes the weakest link and the process starts all over again. 
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,964 posts
 
I use the camera adaptor with a Chord Mojo DAC and it sounds fine. Have you tried it? That’s the only way to know. Not a big investment. Many people (including me) use it with very high quality headphone setups as well.

You do need a compatible connection type on the dac of course.

Many things determine jitter including dac used. I believe Benchmark is pretty jitter resistant.

I think people do themselves a disservice automatically rejecting using their existing multipurpose devices as a digital source with their hifi gear. I think most might be pleasantly surprised. Easy to try and see for oneself first before investing in expensive specialty devices.




ghulamr's avatar
ghulamr OP
104 posts
 
@mapman thanks. Can you confirm if iPhone can transmit 24/192? Also do you know of any decent usb to SPDIF converters? 
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Op.
I think it should as I use an older iPad mini2 to do exactly as Mapman states to stream Amazon Music and Qobuz to my integrated amp via lightning to USB adapter.
It shows 192 on the screen on said 192 streaming tracks.
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