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Streaming for beginner

I have a PS Audio front end-- DMP disc player and DirectSteam DAC. Very happy with the resolution and performance, especially from my redbook cd collection. For those familiar with the DSD, it is upgradable via a network bridge card to become a dedicated streamer. When I bought this DAC, I was looking ahead to an eventual migration to streaming.
I also have a Spotify account, that currently only serves me as a companion to my iPhone during walks and exercise.

My question: assume my goal is to stream for convenience, simplicity, and achieve audio quality that equals or surpasses that of redbook cd’s. I am not looking to purchase music or download it for storage. What am I missing? I also have a dedicated iPad that can serve as the interface to the DAC/Streamer. Spotify also claims that streaming in high resolution is available on my account. Do I need anything else? Am I oversimplifying this?

I am a beginner when it comes to streaming, so please answer in simple terms since I will not be familiar with a lot of the services and components mentioned elsewhere in these forums. In fact, confusing enough for me that it is forcing me to ask here.


mbiondo
mahler123
3,610 posts
 
OP

you are there already as far as the tech goes.  If you wanted to convert a CD collection to hard drive and stream it then you would be adding a fat layer of complexity .
  Spotify vs TIdal or Qobuz?  I switched from Spotify to Qobuz and I hear a difference, but I know many musicians that I respect that are perfectly happy with Spotify.  Since these services offer free trial periods experiment yourself
ghjuvanni
92 posts
 
+1 for Qobuz

Streaming into RME ADI-2 DAC from Node 2i or Fiio M11.
WiFi works just as well as Ethernet cable, provided you are not to far from the antennas, 5GHz preferred. No exotic cables needed!
bluorion
491 posts
 
I have a CD player/streamer (all in one) which connects to my WiFi. I play Spotify through my iPhone and it sounds awesome. I tried Bluetooth in the past and didn't like the flat sound. It was a very easy setup and I'm not a very technical person either. Good luck!
daledeee1's avatar
daledeee1
631 posts
 
I set up my system for streaming from the get go since my CD player was old, etc.  I subscribed to Amazon HD music.  They have 60;MM songs available.  Tidal has about the same amount of songs.  All my music plays at 16/44.1 or higher.  I have seen 24/192 on some content.  I immediately found the streaming sounded better than my old CD player, even before I bought a separate DAC.  I think you will be pleasantly surprised by the sound quality. 
larry5729's avatar
larry5729
1,016 posts
 
I really think the Bluesound Node 2i sounds great.  I tried adding a DAC, but lost Tidal MQA and the Bluesound playing MQA sounded better.  When adding the DAC the bass frequencies fell off and it sounded thin.  I wonder if Bluesound increased the price to $3,000 if more audiophiles would buy more of them.  Spending more doesn't necessarily sound better.  Wonder how many have done a blind test.  I can see it if the system is priced out at $100,000.
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