Streaming, Getting the Signal, Then What?

I feel so stupid not getting the streaming thing though at almost 70 years old I have moved more toward digital then any time previously.

At age 70, hearing quality dissipates and the ear lobes could start turning into cauliflowers. So, maximize the bang 4 buck on components and give the spare change to your struggling grandson instead.

Streamer: Wiim Ultra.

Price is around 300 bucks, very feature rich (full peq and some room correction, if needed), has a very polished easy to use user interface for senior citizens. It could sound very good on its own, but, if you insist on a external dac, it offers a USB out as well so the dac doesn’t depend on any timing from the streamer.

Externl Dac: Schiit Bifrost

Price is around 800 bucks. Run this great R2R dac in NOS mode and it’s all you may ever need.

Thanks eric_squire

The two main reasons to use your own router are cost and security....

Right now the bargains in Wifi routers are Wifi 6 capable unit which are being discounted now that Wifi 7 is out.  They'll serve you well for many years.

I own my Netgear Nighthawk and stay up to date. And my 1,000 sf. factory loft has minimal walls, 11' rough masonry ceilings. The modem/router is placed centrally. So mesh is not an issue. And it is Wifi 6 DOCSIS 3.1. It was a $500 unit in Jan. '22. 

Any other ON TOPIC suggestions to augment my current setup or possibly step up a grade or two from the Nighthawk? 

SNS

Good test for quality of streaming chain. Streaming sound quality should be at least equal to cd's played over quality transport.

Good point. Thanks. 

Try the JK Richards PS Audio DSD MKI upgrade for your DAC.

It dramatically improved the sound of my MK1.  @jkrichards 

danager

Trying to get your streamer the cleanist electrical signal might help.  If you use dimmer light switches turn them off or all the way on.  Removing any switching power supplies from the circuit and feeding the streamer with ethernet not WiFi is an easy way to optimize your sound.  I haven't tried all the tweaks like running my router with a LPS or replacing the Ethernet cable with fibre but in some instances it might reduce  background noise.

Interesting you should post this. In May '23 I completely rewired my listening area creating two 45' home runs from new, premium SquareD panel and replaced ALL my loft's 15/20amp breakers with premium breakers, all seated and torqued to manufacturer's spec using about $900 worth of McMaster-Carr silver paste. The two 45' home runs to my equipment is 8 gauge into separate PSA Power Port Classic receptacles. My electrician thought I was crazy. "You're the boss."  Mu sources are fed through a PSA PowerPlant 15.

Also, I like this and the input from audphile1

The biggest change to your sound without throwing money at it is to bypass the preamp and use the. DAC s volume control.  

I'll check back in tomorrow,,,