2. digital
  3. 155396-2693

Fairly new to streaming. Where to start?

$2k & under budget

Aralic Vega has streamer  and DAC. May be the easiest start?
Then there is Schiit...Yiggy or Gumby...which streamer?
Ladder NOS dac? Or Chip? I'm old. maybe I'll like the old school DAC?
Then there is  Benchmark DAC 3...I think it has streamer?
Then
Exasound E32
Audio Mirror?
Metrum
MHDT Orchid
Border Patrol?
Musical Paradise?
Whats a newbie to do? I am a classic rock fan with lots of FLAC & M4a files. I like detail & PRaT. Love a good bass line. I also play some 70's jazz. I have a Theta Miles CD player from the 1900's & play a lot of vinyl too. But I need to come into the 21st century.  Besides, I will probably become tired of the vinyl ritual and work at some point as I get older. I think I have done enough homework to be somewhat confused. Maybe the biggest question in light of how fast digital changes is the question of streamer with DAC or separate Streamer and DAC. One other question is the streamer & bridge the same thing? OK Thanks!! 
128x128artemus_5
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bruce19
260 posts
 
@artemus_5   I did not compare the two side by side. I have been told told by a knowledgeable dealer that upgrading from the Yamaha to the 2i would not be worthwhile. I am am currently looking at the microrendu or ultrarendu as a cost  effective and modular approach to improving on the Yamaha. As an aside I just started a trial subscription with Qobuz after having been with Spotify for the past year and I am really impressed with the selection and sound quality and even more suprising is the quality of the metadata they offer about the recordings, history, composer, sidemen, producer, etc. It all struck me as very Roon-like without the cost of Roon.
artemus_5's avatar
artemus_5 OP
1,977 posts
 
A hearty good day and thanks for all the info. I am digesting it all at this time.  As you can see, I'm not an impulsive buyer. 

I have considered the WXC 50 Yamaha, Node 2 and now Aurender as a server. Probably after that, a R2R Dac, I know the Aurender is most expensive. And maybe I have to go some over my budget w/ the Aurender and MHDT Orchid Dac. This is not written in stone. Still may go with the Node2. But I've learned that in audio, everything counts. I learned that, when I begrudgingly paid $175 for a Oyaide Power outlet & it DID make a difference. Then when I tried pumice stones as footers for my CDP and it made a great difference in sound stage. I now discount very little. Anyway, that's where I'm at now. And again I thank you all.
artemus_5's avatar
artemus_5 OP
1,977 posts
 
@bicu                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Forgot to thank you for the link to Volumio  Looks interesting. One poster said the Boss sounded close to his Yiggy & Ambre server. I do believe in giant killers. you can look at my amp and see that. Yet believe they are the exception, not the rule as some like to think.
ian_of_glos
9 posts
 

Rather than recommending specific hardware components, would someone be willing to answer a few basic questions first? The questions I had in mind are:

1) what are the advantages of streaming when compared to CDs, vinyl and digital downloads? Are there any disadvantages?

2) is it possible to use streaming services without the need for a computer, tablet or mobile phone?

3) how does the quality of hi res streaming services such as Qobuz compare with other hi res options such as SACD?

4) What are the basic components needed to connect a streaming service to an existing hifi system? Please note that I am not looking for brands - just a list of the components I will need in order to listen to streamed music through my existing hifi.

Thank you.

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