I love my Lumin U1 Mini and Lumin U2 and the Holo Audio Red. All good choices. But if you want to start at the basic level with a fine piece of equipment, you should also consider the Wiim streamer, which is great value for the money. I use and enjoy Tidal.
Beginner in the Audiophile World – Looking for Streamer & Streaming Service Advice
Hi everyone,
First of all, thank you for this amazing community. It’s really encouraging for someone like me—still a total newbie in the audio world—to have a place to learn and ask questions.
I’ve recently managed to put together the system below, and I currently use Spotify from my iPhone connected via Bluetooth to my DAC. I know it’s far from ideal, and after reading a bit, I’d really like to explore the potential improvements I could get from using a proper streamer, wired to my DAC.
So here’s my main question:
– Which streaming service would you recommend (if Spotify isn’t enough)?
– And which streamer should I consider buying on the used market (Portugal or Spain)?
From my research, I’ve found options like the Lumin U1 Mini, Holo Red, and iFi Neo Stream—each seems to have strengths in sound quality, dynamics, and user interface.
I also came across some others like the Volumio Rivo, Pro-Ject Stream Box DS2 T, NP5 Prisma (MK1), and MOON 180 MiND.
Some are easier to find used than others here locally, and price is definitely something I need to be mindful of—this hobby is addictive, and I’ve already stretched my budget a bit!
My current setup:
- DAC: Topping D90SE
- Headphone Amp: Topping A90 Discrete
- Headphones: Audeze LCD-3
- Tone Control: Schiit Lokius
- Interconnects: AudioQuest Red River
Incoming gear:
- Power Amp: Topping LA90 Discrete
- Speakers: Amphion Argon2 Anniversary Edition (cherry)
- Speaker Cables: MIT eXP
Would really appreciate your advice and experiences, especially from anyone who’s made a similar jump from Bluetooth/Spotify to a wired streaming setup.
Thanks in advance, looking forward to learning from you all!
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I started with a Bluesound Vault 2i back in 2018. Best thing I ever did . Opened a world of music and let me find great artists. About two years ago , I found myself streaming so much I bought an Aurender N200 and put the Vault in my second system. I use my small system 75% of the time or more. I'm always streaming or playing stored music with that thing. It's playing right now actually. Bluesound Nano or WiiM is a good starting point. I recently heard the WiiM but I am partial to Bluesound. Lots of good choices. I use Qobuz and Tidal. Both are good |
Hi , I have both Tidal and Qbuz, both are good but I use Tidal more and Siri supports it. I went from a laptop to the Project Stream Box Ultra II, then to the Innuos Pulse Mini with LPS. I use Cardas Clear and Starlight Platinum for usb. The Project was a definite improvement over the laptop. The Innuos Mini was a definite improvement over the Project. I currently run the Pulse Mini to a Schiit Yiggy in my main system. The Project feeds a Cambridge DAC Magic 200M and powers my Audeze LCD’s - with upgraded drivers. The Project has Wi-Fi and a usb port for an external drive, but for streaming Tidal and Qbuz the software’s minimal. Both streamers get internet radio. Radio Paradise and Dot 1 Fm stations sound very good. The Innuos operating software is actually pretty good, both are Roon compatible. I’ve never played with the gear you will be using but if it sounds too dry you might consider a tube DAC. I didn’t see a price point but I’m thinking a Black Ice FX or Geshelli Labs DAC. Happy Hunting , Mike B. |
@andsan76 This and only this imo - MiniDSP SHD Studio It is a Roon Ready network player with Dirac Live® room correction, miniDSP audio toolbox for subwoofer integration and multiway speakers, Volumio music player, headphone output, 450MHz Sharc DSP processor Get with the UMIK-2 Mic and the Tripod stand. don't add the Pocket ADC and the RackMount option is up to you |
I agree with those saying Roon with Qobuz and/or Tidal. I have a Nucleus and improved power supply, network filter and cables going to a Allnic DAC and it is quite good. The Roon app is a pleasure to use and the companion Roon Arc app lets me access everything I have at home from anywhere in the world with an Internet connection. |
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