Thinking of taking the plunge.


Thinking of going into streaming. Any advice on equipment between 1 and 2000.00.

argee

I currently stream via Amazon HD, solely R&R, loudly.  I have a windows based laptop, (2.0 driver installed) USB, to a Benchmark DAC3B, to a Benchmark LA-4 Line amp to an separate amp.. Have a 20' wired connection (2.0 cable) from my DAC to the laptop, at my listening area. Overall a very good system, speakers etc. Around 14k. Other than the attached cord, The streaming is fabulous, sound to me GREAT. Laptop with Amazon  HD sits on table right next to me and I navigate withe a wireless mouse. Only real cost is the HD service and the separate DAC. No need for expensive server, plus with the exception of the NODE unit, No one else supports Amazon HD service, Yet. If you don't mind the cord, it works effortlessly.  Robert TN

Streaming AmazonHD and Roon from iPhone and iPad to Airplay. My WiFi is on Windows computers with Eero Mesh Wifi. Easy to add Airplay to the wifi network. Mini plug to RCA can send analog signal to your preamp; a $7 adapter allows Toslink cable from Airplay for digital signalaling.  I used an Airplay Gen1 1274 adapter. $20 used on eBay. Got started streaming for less than $30.

I have  BlueSound Node 2i.  I wonder if anyone has done a blind test to see if you can hear a difference in comparing a more expensive streamer?  If so, I wonder what you would hear that would motivate you to spend more?  So far, I don't see the value in spending more money.  Also, I would be curious about how many have given up MQA by using digital cable to connect to their amplifier.  How many use Tidal?  How many can hear the difference when playing MQA?  The salesman from The Cable Company suggested giving up MQA and use the better DAC inside my ARCAM.  By doing so, do you give up a significant amount of detail by playing music at a lower resolution.

For AmazonHD There's the Echo Link.  

https://www.amazon.com/Echo-Link-Stream-stereo-system/dp/B0798DVZCY

Or one of the small I5 fanless PC with Windows.  Windows OS has the RemotePC app built in so you can control it from your laptop, Tablet or phone.  I liked it better than the Link because I can also run Foobar to play stored music.

For non AmazonHD users the RaspberryPI and Volumio is a great option.