Fairly new to streaming. Where to start?

@artemus_5 I'm not familiar with the Yamaha unit you mentioned.  How's the interface?  One of the Bluesound's best features is its app.  Keep that in mind when making your decision.

As to your question about "better 1's and 0's", I've yet to see a definitive answer about that.  What I can tell you is that I went from a Bluesound Node 2 paired with an Auralic Vega DAC (which was $3500 when new) to a TEAC NT-505 streamer/DAC and it sounds better than the Node 2 / Vega combo did. 

I also tried my Node 2 with a Mytek Liberty DAC and the DAC in my Sony TA-ZH1ES headphone amp (which is very good).  They all improved the sound of the Node 2, but none of them sounded as good as the TEAC all-in-one device.

My thinking is that the streamer does matter, as it seems everything matters in the signal chain, but no way I can prove that.  I have no way of testing the streamer in the NT-505 with an external DAC.

is this information site respectable?

http://soundexpert.org/home;jsessionid=E4845C94540B5003F5EBCB0502860BB1

a better site for learning?

@big_greg.


I’ve been as big a skeptic as anyone about audio voodoo and extraordinary claims. Then one day I put my $$$ down ($180 iirc) on an Oyaide power outlet. I felt stupid for spending the $$$. But it proved its worth. I have DIY tweaks which made a Big difference in my CDP. So, I don’t discount much anymore. This is why I tried to go above even the Node 2i because my system is at a very good place. But I know my cdp is getting old and the new trend is streaming. What I’m learning is the cost is very high at the time, to get equal sound to what I have now. Then yesterday I encountered the thread where CDP were said by many to be superior to streaming. I suspect the tech has finally able to make a cdp capable of very high def playback. But the market has moved away from that media. Who knows? Vinyl returned. With streaming, apparently unless you spend the $10k on the necessary equipment. This is a new market with everyone trying to show the best way and have their ways adopted. It always happens with new media. It will come soon.

@elliottbnewcombjr I am not familiar with the site so can’t answer about their reputation. Is there a particular article that you are referring? I will check it out. Thanks.

“I suspect the tech has finally able to make a cdp capable of very high def playback. But the market has moved away from that media. Who knows? Vinyl returned. With streaming, apparently unless you spend the $10k on the necessary equipment. This is a new market with everyone trying to show the best way and have their ways adopted. It always happens with new media. It will come soon.”

@artemus_5,

I would like to further clarify....

1. Streaming is now on par with CD playback. Just like a good CD playback requires decent quality player, same applies to a streaming player.

2. Unless you spend $10K....Streaming is not any different than CDP or Vinyl. For quality playback, it requires careful consideration, just like Vinyl or CDP if you’re striving for high quality playback. There are some folks here who uses a $200 CD player and have the nerve to criticize the format because it’s not nearly as good as their Vinyl setup. Go figure!

3. It will come soon....IMO, it’s already here and thriving. With Tidal and Qobuz, you can enjoy high resolution streaming as long as you choose the right equipment. Not to mention, access to the library of artists you may not even had the opportunity to hear yet.

As many of us pointed out, you can get a Vault 2i (if you wish to rip your CD’s) or Node 2i as a start up device and add a DAC later on. Even if you don’t want to stream, you can start enjoying your ripped files through Node 2i without the hassles associated with a laptop. I would not bring a laptop as a source in your system unless you are ready to eliminate or filter the ‘noise’ on the USB output.

@lalitk 

 

As many of us pointed out, you can get a Vault 2i (if you wish to rip your CD’s) or Node 2i as a start up device and add a DAC later on.

I am still on that track. As I have said I am getting tired from the research and have been taking steroids since Sat. So my mind is full and going 200 mph...at least. Plus my tendency is to overthink (Which you have been very helpful to overcome) One question. I've read that the caching process seems to be a problem for digital play. SSID is preferred over std HD. This seems to make a case for a SSiD NAS of some kind for playback. Is that a good  reason to buy the Vault over the Node? If i stream my catalog to the node, it will still be playing from the hard drive in essence. Hmm wonder if the HD's in the Vault are SSiD? Any thoughts?
BTW I messaged the guy with the Vault but have never heard back from him. I can still get the Vault 2i for $815 (Factory refurb) I'll get there. Thanks for your info.