I’m using a Bluesound Node 2i streaming Qobuz with good cables all around (digital/PC/IC) via CAT8 paired with a decent DAC (ARC DAC7) sounds pretty frickin good to me. I’ve heard the Lumin U1 mini in a comparable rig and while it looks damn sexy I really couldn’t detect a sonic improvement worthy of the price difference over the Node2i.
Advice on a streamer
I'm starting to look into a dedicated streamer. Recently, the CD's have been gathering dust while I hook up an ipad with the headphone jack to the preamp listening to youtube the majority of the time, and I'm ready to upgrade from that. I have about 300 - 400 CD's that would be nice to rip to a server with some sort of loss-less format. I'm still on the fence about that...nice to have, but I'm not completely sold on this yet (meaning that I probably won't buy any more CD's, so whatever I rip will be a one time thing (granted a long thing, but whatever)). So if I sacrifice sound for ripping, then forget it. I'm also a cheapish bastard that's not willing to drop a ton of money on a streamer.
My current system is:
Marantz SACD SA8005
Krell KSP 7B (sometimes switched with a Berning TF10)
Mcintosh MC275
B&W 683
I've been looking at Cambridge audio and Cocktail Audio for streamers. I know the Bluesound Vault 2 would do the job, but, for what I've gathered, the sound quality just isn't up to par. From what I've been reading, I will likely get Qobuz, as it seems to get more positive reviews than the other services.
My budget is between $1000 - 1500 with some flexibility. One key component is the WAF...one thing that we both like and feel it would fit in with our system is a small screen on the streamer that displays the album art (I know we should base it on sound and sound alone, but damnit, it's 2021! I want great sound and good looks!). That's why I'm leaning toward the Cambridge audio CXV/851N or one of the Cocktail Audio ones. I do not have a dedicated DAC unit and would prefer not to purchase one.
Last item to throw out there. I would to take the streamer (well, more specifically a hard drive with my music on it) to a cabin where I don't have internet access. Do these/any streamers work well without internet access to see or pull up music from a hard drive on my phone using an app through bluetooth (does that make sense?)
Does anyone have experience or suggestions on the ones I'm looking at or others I haven't suggested? Thanks!
My current system is:
Marantz SACD SA8005
Krell KSP 7B (sometimes switched with a Berning TF10)
Mcintosh MC275
B&W 683
I've been looking at Cambridge audio and Cocktail Audio for streamers. I know the Bluesound Vault 2 would do the job, but, for what I've gathered, the sound quality just isn't up to par. From what I've been reading, I will likely get Qobuz, as it seems to get more positive reviews than the other services.
My budget is between $1000 - 1500 with some flexibility. One key component is the WAF...one thing that we both like and feel it would fit in with our system is a small screen on the streamer that displays the album art (I know we should base it on sound and sound alone, but damnit, it's 2021! I want great sound and good looks!). That's why I'm leaning toward the Cambridge audio CXV/851N or one of the Cocktail Audio ones. I do not have a dedicated DAC unit and would prefer not to purchase one.
Last item to throw out there. I would to take the streamer (well, more specifically a hard drive with my music on it) to a cabin where I don't have internet access. Do these/any streamers work well without internet access to see or pull up music from a hard drive on my phone using an app through bluetooth (does that make sense?)
Does anyone have experience or suggestions on the ones I'm looking at or others I haven't suggested? Thanks!
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- 53 posts total
- 53 posts total