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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
bobby1945
79 posts
 
Don't believe all this nonsense about how easy this streaming is .
Dropping a pick up onto a record was easy - digital streaming requires a significant amount of effort to get an equivalent SQ.
OK so you jump in with either TIDAL or QOBUZ
Now you really should consider ROON- Infinite number of options in the DSP settings which will keep you busy for months
I choose to have  a dedicated laptop -lots of RAM and windows 10 cut back to bare bones configuration + dedicated LPS
Lets look at our router  , need to hard wire to laptop with Cat8 ethernet cable as a minimum + dedicated LPS
Now special  USB cable to ensure integrity of digital signal is not corrupted before converted to analogue in the DAC -of course make sure DAC is MQA compliant if opting for TIDAL and of course own dedicated LPS
At last we have an analogue signal to be amplified  via a power conditioner like a AQ Niagra 1200 and AQ power and interconnects.
Get those cables off the floor and room correct with DIRAC
Phew now lets listen to some music.





lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,791 posts
 
“Dropping a pick up onto a record was easy”

@bobby1945,

You probably own one of these turntables 😂

https://www.amazon.com/Victrola-Bluetooth-Suitcase-Turntable-Speakers/dp/B00UMVW4VA/ref=sr_1_3?dchil...
ghjuvanni
92 posts
 
Can't agree with @bobby1945 
"Don't believe all this nonsense about how easy this streaming is .
Dropping a pick up onto a record was easy - digital streaming requires a significant amount of effort to get an equivalent SQ."

You can just start with Node 2i or even Fiio M11, Qobuz free trial, and off you go -- browsing through 200,000+ CD and HiRes albums; let's see how bobby1945 catches up with his SQ and ease of use :-)  You need nothing else from his post.
As I write this I am listening to today's new albums (some 30 new albums are released each Friday) from Qobuz app on my Fiio M11 connected with $30 coax cable to RME ADI-2 DAC powering beyerdynamic Amiron Home headphones. Trust me -- I couldn't be happier. In fact, I could listen to just the Fiio w/o external DAC and I did in the past for a long time.
larry5729's avatar
larry5729
1,016 posts
 
When I purchased my BlueSound Node 2i I purchased a ProJect S2 DAC to connect to the BlueSound.  When I added the external DAC the bass sounded thinner.  I wonder why that was the case?  Of course the ProJect DAC is an inexpensive DAC and perhaps that is why the BlueSound sounded better without adding an external DAC.  I also for some reason sensed better sound quality when I played MQA songs on Tidal.  Wonder why that is the case or is this just my imagination?  Seems to me like so many things are smoke and mirrors.
tcatch
38 posts
 
Many posters here seem to be ignoring the fact that the OP has purchased a DAC and disc player that each cost several thousand dollars (used) and that he wants sound quality as good as CD’s played through his current equipment.  I think this requires more than an entry level streamer.  I have no personal experience with the PS Audio Bridge that can plug right in to the Directstream DAC, but I’ve spent enough time on the PS Audio forum to learn that many users think it is a step down in sound quality from what they get playing CD’s with an excellent transport into that DAC.  I think the OP would be happier with something like an Innuos Zen or a Lumin U1 mini or an Auralic Aries G1, if not one of the more expensive offerings from such manufacturers.  
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