Best streamer for a returning audio guy

@twodogs112

mr Maynard was a bit demanding. Mangione was far more laid back

Fun fact: My old high school used to host Maynard and his band for a weekend of shows every 4 or 5 years. My best friend’s dad was the HS band director and was the one who coordinated the concerts. After the show, the band used to stick around and shoot hoops in the gymnasium. Maynard didn’t stick around, but the rest of the band and crew would. They always said Dennis DiBlasio was a real hoot.

Ah -- so since you already have a DAC with USB input, have you considered using your laptop/PC and the Tidal and/or Qobuz desktop app as the streamer into your PopPulse just for a quick test? That wouldn’t cost you anything other than the Tidal/Qobuz subscription fees after your free trials run out. Maybe not quite the same level of fidelity as a standalone streamer, but might be enough to give you a taste of streaming without needing to invest much of anything right away.

Got a new Mac book pro. Still discovering what it can do. I managed to load all my music from my asus laptop to an old iPod. Then loaded it all on a thumb drive. Next step will be pictures from the asus. Can’t get my system due to renovations to my house. Delays with materials is a pain. Everything is delayed!!! Currently living in living room( sounds weird). You make an excellent point however. I’ll try as soon as I’m able.

  Funny note, I just discovered Apple has music on my wife’s Apple TV!!! Who knew? Thanks.

You are right about Maynard, I worked for a smaller nightclub ( maybe 150 people) doing the board work. Back in those days artists would come and play to get their name and sound out there. We didn’t have big rock concerts then. Oh, to be young again!!!

Surprised no one has suggested the AudioLab 6000N. I have one and feel the sound quality is brilliant, and its not expensive. Wonderful DAC in it.

If you just want to get a quick "feel" for streaming, get a bluetooth receiver like the "1Mii Bluetooth 5.0" on Amazon for dirt cheap (under $100) and you can have it tomorrow. Then just bluetooth cast your music from your phone to it hooked up to any analog in on your receiver. I started with one and was great intro to streaming. I've upgraded to the Audiolab 6000N now, but the bluetooth receiver is now hooked up in the garage system to "rock-out" on. 

Blue sound node now has usb Output  which is the preferred input method for my dac.   Have run ultra rendu for a year now for qobuz/roon and have no appreciable difference with 2000 units.  Small unit with power supply seems expensive compared to larger competition.   Assume the money goes into the circuit design and parts and not on the case