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Do I Need a Dedicated Streamer?

Hello everyone,

As the title states, I am still unsure of if I need a dedicated streamer and if it would increase the fidelity of my music compared to how I am listening at the moment. Which is using AirPlay 2 from my iPhone to my Hegel H590 Integrated amp.

 

I know that the DAC in the Hegel H590 is considered quite good and it was one of the reasons that I bought the amplifier to begin with. However, would I get a better input using a dedicated streamer for around $1000 (such as the Cambridge CXNV2 for example) or would I be better off leaving things as is?

I am just not sure if airplaying music to the Hegel is degrading the signal in comparison to a streamer that would pull its own data and send it directly to the amplifier? Also, would improving my router placement and wifi signal make any difference to the sound since my Hegel is hardwired using a mesh wifi system?

 

I am open to switching streaming platforms if I can gain something out of it such as resolution but I’m not sure if apple music is the issue in any of this.

 

If the answer to the title is a no. I am curious what I would need to take the quality of my listening experience to the next level or where money would be better spent to achieve that. I do have acoustic panels in my room and have done my fair share of research on speaker placement already.

 

The only thing that I have been considering in the near-future would have to be the isoacoustics gaia 1 feet.

 

My equipment:

Hegel H590 Integrated

KEF Reference 5 Meta

Metra Velox Speaker Cables

 

Thanks for reading.

danb99
fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,600 posts
 

Yes but by all means suit yourself.

A Raspberry Pi will beat an iPhone but if you don’t believe that, it will never happen. As of now your music will play only when you’re in the network.

 

curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
4,705 posts
 

@danb99 

You have a great system!  I have the H390 and the same speakers.😀

As far as a separate streamer, I bought a Bluestone Node N130, thinking it would be a “Starter” streamer and I would get a better one latter and that was over a year ago! I must say that I did buy a Linear power supply for it and it made a very noticeable improvement. The Node N130’s have been on sale everywhere for $449.

All The Best.

audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,143 posts
 

100% yes but starting with your router buy a quality LPS power supply 

Linear Tube Audio makes a great one ,and good quality Ethernet cables  ,Innuos Pulsar excellent SSHD and streamer . See Anthony at Perrotta Consultants. 
very competitive pricing and great service ,and decent power cords  also.

jsalerno277
165 posts
 

Streamers will improve SQ significantly by reducing digital noise and improving detail, dynamics, imaging, staging, and timbre.  Go with one of the three respected brands - Aurender, Lumin, or Innous - with a model in your price range.  Each brand has its own SQ signature, so audition.  I think you will be surprised in the improvement.  

p05129
501 posts
 

Never go wifi over a wired connection. 
Also, have you looked at the specs of AirPlay 2? You are limited to 16/44 which is terrible. Wired there is no audio limits.

I would use airplay 2 for background music only, thru a HomePod. Any better playback system, get off your iPhone, use your personal computer, get Roon or audirvana. 
BTW: the dac in the Hegel is not that good. Their standalone dac is far superior. I used an external dac when I had my hegel

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