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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
dobnbav
63 posts
 
GRM,

Curious as to why you are using a CAT 7 cable? Do you have a GB Ethernet Network switch in your home? Besides having a restrictive bend radius which may or may not apply, CAT 7 cabling will not enhance your datastream speed. No harm, but no benefit either. But if you had a GB network and with a substantial amount of video traffic at once, then you could see some benefit if there's a lot of traffic on your network, Also, is your cable run long? Are you an IT pro? Just curious, not meant as criticism, DOB
gyeltsen
15 posts
 

I'm in a similar situation. I have a Hegel H360 integrated amp with built-in DAC but have never set it up for streaming. Also a newbie. If anyone can help me I'd really appreciate the advice. Thanks and good luck!

lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,797 posts
 
@gyeltsen,

You’re in good shape with Hegel H360. It’s got all the digital inputs you need to get your feet wet in streaming. What is your budget for a streamer? 
ghjuvanni
92 posts
 
"The H360 incorporates a high quality DAC, using Hegel’s proprietary re-clocking. The benefit of this is that we can make everyday sources sound really good. Sources like a phone or a computer. This is why we have also included functionality like Apple AirPlay and DLNA streaming. There is also a reference class USB input, supporting all formats including native DSD64 and DSD128."

https://www.hegel.com/products/discontinued/h360
adameos
66 posts
 
I use Qobuz either streamed from IPad / Frontier router via Air (WiFi or Eth), or streamed from MacBook via Router to DAC USB, depending on what amp I feel like listening too.

For me, I still think my good CD player sounds better, clearly more resolved with better presence, clarity / lack of grain, more ‘there’, richer..
I use streaming more because I don’t have a huge collection of CDs, and it gives me access to a wide range of music at my fingertips. I am in general somewhat satisfied with streaming, although sometimes I feel quality is not the best and the system won’t keep me captured for long. If the sound quality is there, with the right music, I find it hard to stop listening and want to turn up the volume frequently.

i am still convinced Vinyl sound quality from a good rig is unbeatable, although i do not presently have a vinyl rig.
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