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Streaming + DAC questions. Please help this noob!

Hi Guys,

After a couple of decades avoiding the desire to become an audiophile . . . here I am. I've jumped head first and purchased the following:

Bryston BP 20 preamp
Bryston 4B SST amp
B&W 801 Matrix II

I'm actively avoiding becoming a vinyl collector (too many hobbies, not enough physical space, etc etc), so most of my music will be from Spotify. I know they aren't the greatest quality . . . but for the sake of ease and variety and modernity, that's what I'm using. My 'hub' would be an imac sitting 10 feet away from the hifi system. I'd like to control from that computer since that's where I'm sitting most of the day. 

At first, I had hoped to be able to connect via bluetooth adapter directly into preamp and that sounded horrible. (Lesson #1). I then tried with an Audioquest Beetle and that sounded pretty good. I also tried an ipad direct into the preamp and that's OK, too (not as good as with Beetle). But it's clear to me I probably need a dedicated DAC (Lesson #2). So my questions:

1. Whats the best way to use Spotify connect via my Imac? Should I dedicate the ipad to sit on top of the hifi? I also have an old macbook pro that could sit on the hifi and be the connected hardware. The beetle worked fine, but I don't want my computer sounds to come out of my hifi system, only Spotify. 

2. My head is spinning with DAC info. It seems like I can't go wrong with a $99 Schiit, but I'd rather just buy right the first time. Happy to spend up to 1k (used is definitely ok with me) on a DAC that I can just forget about. Did I mess up by not getting an integrated preamp/dac? 

I come to you guys with humility and ready for Lessons 3 thru infinity.
128x128quesofrito
gdnrbob
4,444 posts
 
Some good advice, so far.
I, too, was overwhelmed with Streaming music, but a little research yields great results.
First, I really like the Spotify app, but unfortunately, they don't offer higher resolution formats like Quobuz, Tidal, et al. So, moving to another streaming service will allow you to get the fullest experience of high fidelity.
Second, get a dedicated streamer. The Bluesound Node is very good, the Aurender is better.
Third, get a good DAC. Schiit makes very good equipment, but I suggest going beyond the $99 model and go to the Gungnir or Yggy. (Trust me, I started with the Bifrost and ended up moving upwards- Yes, the higher priced models offer greater resolution. The lower models are probably as good as the onboard DAC in the Node).
Though it might be a bit out of our budget, a used Ayre Codex is about $1300. I find it to be a super performer.

Bob
jbuhl's avatar
jbuhl
976 posts
 
++ on ditching spotify. Go to deezer for red book CD quality or Qobuz for Hi Rez. You could spend the budget on a good high end DAC and use the old macbook as the streamer. Qobuz also had some recent deal where they dropped the subscription price to $15/month for the first 100K subscribers.  The below DAC is on sale now as well.  Check out the reviews. https://www.wyred4sound.com/products/digital-converters/clearance/dac-1v2-trade
mazian's avatar
mazian
396 posts
 
I bought  a Cambridge Audio CXN streamer to use with my Pure Audio Lotus 5 DAC. While the sound is great the Cambridge Audio app options are horrendously non functional. I then bought an Auris Blume Bluetooth receiver to connect to the DAC and could barely tell the difference between that combo and the CXN and with the former I could use the Tidal app on my iPhone ( Qobuz unfortunately not available in Australia). I now face the dilemma of whether to find a better streamer with a usable app or sell the CXN and continue to use the Auris. Financially at least the former course of action makes more sense.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
You can start streaming right away with the Bluesound Node2i. Use the internal DAC to start with and see how it sounds playing back Tidal, Qobuz (or Deezer).  Qobuz has lowered it's monthly service charge.

You can then take your time and audition different DACs. Schiit has a trial period.

quesofrito's avatar
quesofrito OP
7 posts
 
Thank you all for the responses! Some good options here. @mazian I hadn't heard of that Auris. That could be a breakthrough for me, thank you. 

@gdnrbob, that codex is actually around $800-900. That might be the ticket!

To everyone recommending Tidal. How does the music offering compare to Spotify?

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