2. amps-preamps
  3. 182613-14281

streaming and audiophile stereo

I have heard it said that an audio system is only as good as its weakest link. I want to complete a system that will give me access to lots of music by Tidal and Roon, and I want the music played through some true audiophile components.  I am used to tube preamps, and will probably go that way again, though ss remains a possibility.  The speakers I intend to use are very efficient - 20 watts of amplification would be ample.  Here's my question:  in such a system, how important, and how variable, are the audio qualities of the digital source component - the streamer - at the front end?  If it does MQA does that alone mean it is the highest quality audio possible at this end of the system?  Or do some that accommodate MQA provide better sound than others that also accommodate MQA?  I see lots of reviews of features of these components, but not much about their individual sonic qualities.  Leaving aside features and convenience, are some better sounding than others and would this depend entirely on the DAC used?

twilightround
ghdprentice
7,585 posts
 

The streamer is as important as any other component and should be carefully chosen and in general of the similar or greater value than the other components… preamp, amp, DAC. 
 

MQA… not really important. Ok, Qobuz is the best sounding streaming service… they don’t use MQA. If for some reason you are adamant about using Tidal, then your Streamer / DAC needs to unfold MQA. MQA can sound good… don’t listen to the haters… but the technology came too late… it was intended to save band width… well guess what… bandwidth is no longer an issue unless you have a 2400 baud modem.

 

You need the best possible streamer possible. The sound quality of mine equals my great analog/ vinyl end. 

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,670 posts
 

It can happen of course but probably not in practice with most any good quality, proven, modern streamer.


It’s digital so pretty much anything including a “house sound” to differentiate from others if desired if possible.

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
4,074 posts
 

The streamer is the modern day "transport"   It's vital to great playback, plus you want an user interface that appeals to you.     My Aurender N200 sounds great, I also demo'd Innuos which was good too.   

I listen to a bunch of my favorite radio stations through it, have Qobuz and Tidal , have a few hundred CDs stored in it's SSD....it's a versatile and awesome machine.  I sold a preamp plus cash to buy it and it was worth the stretch.  I was going to buy something smaller, with less features and I'm glad I didn't. It's the center of my digital universe. 

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,443 posts
 

@twilightround your focus, in my opinion, should be in this order

1. speakers

2. amplifier

3. preamp

4. dac/streamer

Even something like the bluesound node will carry you for a while if the downstream components are first class. But if your funds permit, get a good streamer and a good dac, or a good one box solution like Aurender, Lumin, Auralic. Don’t get too hung up on Qobuz vs Tidal. Both have great and crappy sounding albums. You’ll have to try and see what sounds best to you. 
 

fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,638 posts
 

MQA  and finest are mutually exclusive.

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