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Best WiFi Music Streamer Does it exist?

I have been looking for months and I can not find anything that will fulfill my needs.

I need the following:
Music Streamer or Server, internal DAC not wanted or needed, that can accept WiFi. I know the quality is allegedly better with an ethernet cord, but I do not have one available at the location of my system.
Accepts Tidal, MQA, Roon. MQA not mandatory but highly desired.
If it needs a smart phone, it must accept android. Apple products are not available and will never be.

I do have a Dell Windows 10 Computer nearby. It gets music from a hard drive and WiFi.
a) How would the Music server sound with a USB connection from the computer?
b) Should I get a special sound card or software for the computer and ignore getting a separate Music Server?
c) How will the music quality from the Computer to the DAC compare to a separate Music Server used in between the computer and the DAC?
d) How will the music quality from the Computer to the DAC compare to a separate WiFi Music Server to the DAC?

Quality is more important than price.

It will be hooked to good equipment;
Denafrips Terminator,
PS Audio BHK Signature Preamplifier
Pass Labs x260.8 monoblocks
Martin Logan Expression ESL 13a electrostatic speakers

If there is an audible difference, I will be able to hear it (within reason).
firstonetallguy
fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,629 posts
 
a) It’ll sound decent going through a Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra USB decrapper.
b) No. There is no sound card that will divorce itself from dirty computer sound.
c) Poorly.
d) See c).
firstonetallguy OP
88 posts
 
fuzztone
Thank you for your response.
I have never heard about the Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra.
I will have to look into this.
Thanks

mattmiller's avatar
mattmiller
1,497 posts
 
If your serious about making this streamer your primary listening device then you have to connect with a CAT 5, and If your DAC has a USB 2.0 Audio connection then it has to be the Aurender XL100 (they do make other models with smaller internal storage). This will be the finest digital source (by far) you will ever need. The SQ from this alone is reason to purchase, but after you add in the Conductor app it is special indeed. And think about this...IF wireless could handle the high rates that streaming requires then Aurender would make a wireless streamer....They dont.

Aurender.com


Matt M





fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,629 posts
 
I love my Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra. It has WiFi and BlueTooth. I use neither. I'm running Cat8 from a Silent Angel switch.
It uses an embedded custom version of Volumio that does not require additional fees to stream Roon, Amazon, Qobuz, Tidal and Spotify. It's THE BEST for playing local files via 2 USB ports, PCM AND native DSD. The only thing it's light on is radio - no Tune In. Maybe in future updates.
My BluNode does most radio stations.
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