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!   
jbeckley42
First do you like the sound of your marantz. If so use it’s DAC. It has inputs just for that purpose. I have the node 2i and I connected it to my audiolab DAC sounds great. Get yourself a good streaming service and enjoy the music. 
I have the Marantz ND8006 CD/Streamer ($1300) which I use for Spotify Connect. I use it with my Luxman 505UXii integrated amp. It plays through my WiFi and it sounds great. I have a lot of CDs as well so I can still use the 8006 if I want to play an old CD. Check it out--good luck!
I too use a Bluesound Node 2i on my high resolution system.  Love it, simple to use and purchased a separate small tablet dedicated to the music room so anyone can pick it up and not have to use my phone, or their phone.  Album art is close and in my hands, not on some small screen 6-10 feet away.
There is IMO, a huge gap in the market between the Bluenode which IMO is not very good and an Innuos or Lumin which are VERY good around $2500.

I would go for a used Innuos or Lumin to hit your price point.
I have a Node 1 as a streamer but I feed it through my Cambridge 851C's dac and really like the sound. There was a big improvement over the day in the Node 1. When I initially purchased the Cambridge, I brought my entire system into the store. I tried 8 different CD players through my equipment including a $6000 Marantz which should have kicked the crap out of the Cambridge. But overall the Cambridge sounded the best to me. I really enjoy it's sound. Good luck!