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To Stream or not to Stream

[A collective sign resonates from forum members upon seeing "Stream" in the title]  ...Before you run away, I read a number of threads dealing with streaming, so this is to ask about what I didn't learn.

I am trying to select a streaming option into my McIntosh DA2 DAC. I would like to stay south of $4k and get the best bang for my buck. It would be best if I could sit in the comfort of my chair with my MacBook, iPhone or iPad and control my music. I do not need a fancy screen on the component. They are nice, but I only care about the sound.

To make a decision / purchase I hope to get answers to the following:

  1. I have a CD collection, but none are HD. Why do people rip CDs when all of those CDs can be streamed from music services? I have Tidal and want to drop it for Qobuz. Learning more about the burning CD topic will help narrow down if should go with a ripper / streamer combo. 
  2. I can't find much on my DA2 DAC but assume it's top notch being from McIntosh? Consensus? How do I know if I should use it versus another streamer option with its own DAC?
  3. It appears that a USB connection is needed for DSD512 (basically the most demanding formats)? I can't find much on this but many of the recommended streamers on this site do not always have USB-out, which is confusing at some of the high price points!?
  4. Is DSD only achieved from ripping CDs?
  5. What are people doing to stream DSD512 or other formats of this quality? 
  6. I haven't seen anyone recommend the Roon Nucleus? If I'm not going to rip CDs, is it one to add to my consideration list?

This would be easy if I had money... Aurender ACS10 if I want to rip or N20, up. Others as well at these price points.

I see used N100s here... maybe that's my answer unless I want to rip. The Innuos is intriguing, but you have to buy a separate power supply... I just want to get this right the first time and be happy. I'm already gun-shy of making another purchase mistake like the new Bluesound Node 2i I need to sell... It's only a mistake because it does not do USB-out (as of this post) or support the formats I wish to stream to my DA2. Not a fan of its software either. 

Thank you!


izjjzi
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Yeah. Why don't you cross that stream when you come to it?
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,876 posts
 
We are streaming experts We sell a lot of dacs and streamers

Good servers make a very noticable improvement in sound quality

We sell bluesound, lumin, roon and the amazing sounding 432EVO servers from belgium

In the past We have sold innous sotm, naim and aurrender
Dave and troy
AUDIO INTELLECT NJ
jjss49's avatar
jjss49
6,612 posts
 
i thought i mistakenly logged into a urology forum
mahler123
3,486 posts
 
Listening to CDs from a streaming service works for most people, but it does put you at the mercy of the quality of the streaming service, your router, your ISP (many have throttled bandwidth during the pandemic, with everyone Zooming, streaming movies at home, etc), and finally, the ability of your streamer to connect and play with all of the above.  There is a lot to be said for putting the CD in the transport and hitting play.
  Assuming your must be the bees knees because it says McIntosh on the faceplate is like assuming that all Cadillacs must be great cars.
   How much DSD content do you plan to purchase?  Do streaming services such as Tidal even stream in DSD?  And as someone else up thread implied, you need a pretty highly resolving system (I.e., probably past your budget) to really appreciate it.
fwiw, I play the DSD layer of my SACDs via HDMI using my Oppo 105, which can output the DSD layer over HDMI, into my Bryston DAC3, which has HDMI inputs, but it’s DSD 64.  I was able to stream 1 recording of an SACD that I owned over usb at DSD 128 and heard no difference.
izjjzi's avatar
izjjzi OP
103 posts
 
I am paralyzed. There are so many options, reviews, recommendations... I am truly frozen, unable to choose. Wish it were easy to try things at home before you buy, and by try I mean AB. I'm sure anything I select in this range will sound nice because there is nothing to compare it to.

Unless it is streaming through my integrated and Focals, I will have no idea what it will really sound like until it's home. My answer could be to not compare, get something and never know the difference, but again, what is that one something? I think I've already researched too much and will always be second guessing unless I've heard 'em all... ugh.  

I need a break... two nights of restless sleep with every model and review looping in my head. I suspect I'm not alone experiencing this type of paralysis?

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