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!
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.
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.
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- 92 posts total
"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 |
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. |
@adameos, One way to enhance your experience is to isolate the noise from your MacBook USB port. I am not sure if you’re using anything at the moment but you may try this device and see if you hear any audible improvements. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DLMZP5Y/ref=twister_B07FM9J683?_encoding=UTF8&th=1 |
- 92 posts total