2. digital
  3. 154389-10159

Basic Tidal streamer to USB DAC

Forgive me if I'm broaching a topic that has been addressed many times before, but I've been searching through the forums and can't quite find what I'm looking for.

I currently use a MacBook Pro running Audirvana Plus to stream Tidal directly viA USB to my DAC.  I want to eliminate the MacBook from this chain and instead use a basic network streamer that I can control from an iPhone or iPad to stream Tidal to the DAC.  The DAC is USB only so this streamer must have a USB out.

I can't seem to find a basic streamer that does just this and only this.  I don't need a DAC in the streamer, and I really don't understand all the other Roon business and all that.  I just want to stream Tidal to my DAC without using a laptop.

Any recommendations?  Thanks for your help.

zm
djones51
4,947 posts
 
The OP is trying to eliminate the PC in the chain. I don't  use a PC  either. Small black box about 6 inches square hooked to my dac contral with tablet,  done. 
sfseay's avatar
sfseay
496 posts
 
“airplay is never reliable and never supported by manufacturer warranty.”
This has to be the most ridiculous thing I have read in months.  No basis in truth.
nekoaudio's avatar
nekoaudio
489 posts
 
AirPlay has always been reliable for me as long as the network is reliable. Using 802.11b Wi-Fi to stream music from an old, underpowered computer can be a problem. That being said, I've gotten audible benefit to re-clocking AirPlay S/PDIF data signals with some DACs.

@zm I think the Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra does do what you're looking for, but I haven't tried it myself so I'm just going by the documentation. Pro-Ject's products have always been good quality in my experience.
erik_squires
16,119 posts
 
Having a USB interface usually requires a decent CPU behind it for the drivers.

If you forget that and go with coax or optical you'll have more choices.

Personally use Roon with a mini PC hidden in the closet and Raspberry Pi 4 as the streamer and USB interface to my Mytek Brooklyn.
fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,624 posts
 
SOtM sMs-200 Neo is USB out only for $450.
I cannot recommend as I couldn't get it to play nice in my system.
But you might have better luck.
It DID sound great with QobuZ and local files.
More to discover