2. digital
  3. 185058-163979

Dreamin' of streamin'


I am hoping to tap into your experience and knowledge as veteran streamers. I am currently streaming from a stock Acer laptop through a Schiit Modi 3 DAC, into an Arcam 850 and out through Wharfedale Linton Heritage Anniversary speakers. It seems that the laptop could be replaced with a dedicated streamer, enhancing the listening experience.

I have about 5,000 albums that I access with Itunes on the laptop. I also currently listen to Sirius XM, Amazon Music, some music podcasts, and some small town radio stations that I cannot find on TuneIn Radio. I am planning to subscribe to Qobuz, not initially as a replacement, but as a supplement to these sources.

I tried a Rose 250A, but was unable to access podcasts, Sirius, Amazon,and several radio stations.

Does a box exist that will access all these sources? Dream solution would display album art for song currently playing, at least for albums on hard drive.

If I need to stay with a computer, is there a better computer/soundcard for listening?

As a secondary query, do you have suggestions for a music player (with the ability to create playlists) to replace Itunes?

Thank you again

davedword
davedword OP
10 posts
 

Thanks for your input. I am quite ignorant in this area.I would like to stay under $3K for budget, but could go a little higher. Don’t want to add a second box in addition to the pc, but I see that maybe a streamer with an SSD controlled through an Ipad is one method I may need to consider.

Mapman, I am unaware of the relationship between streaming video and music. Could you tell me more about it? I currently use an AppleTV box for streaming tv. I will check into Plex. I have never heard of it.

Edcyn, I am considering the Cambridge CXN V2, but don’t see how to access my hard drive from the streamer. Want to try Qobuz before committing to Roon. Does Roon access the albums on my hard drive?

Jerrybj, What streamer do you use? How does it compare with the Macbook - Halide combo?

Thanks again.

gkelly's avatar
gkelly
206 posts
 

I'm a fanboy of Innuos.

jerrybj
869 posts
 

I have severe space limitations with my system. But did finally upgrade from the MacBook. Was also using Audirvana Plus.

Found the Project Stream Box S2 Ultra to suit my purpose. Although at the lower end of streamers, it was designed by John Westlake. A big step up from the MacBook. Remote via phone or tablet, where album art etc is displayed. I use Qobuz, have some hi res songs on a thumb drive plugged in, and will eventually use an external hard drive.

I've bought an Intel Nuc to set up with Roon. Yet to get to that.

 

edcyn
1,876 posts
 

@davedword My laptop and the Cambridge are connected by a USB cable. In any case, I simply double-click on the icon of whatever piece of music I have stored on my laptop and the music magically appears on my stereo. Yeah, all the old stuff on my computer is mp3 at best but the Cambridge does a very good job of making it sing, regardless. I stream the same way. I'll go to Qobuz, Idagio, or YouTube and click on a link, i.e., whatever is in blue and is underlined. Itzak, or should I say Mr. Perlman! Thanks for showing up!

davedword OP
10 posts
 

Thanks again.

Mahler123-The music files are mp3 stored on the laptop SSD and backed up on a portable Seagate 1TB hard drive. I am looking both for convenience, an all-in-one solution, and then possible sound improvement-more definition, higher wider soundstage

gkelly-which Innuos do you recommend?

More to discover