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CD Players, Digital Music & Servers Aurender, dCs, Esoteric, Lumin. |
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#1
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Change of plans: I think I only need a streamer
Hey guys,
Not too long ago I posted a question about how to set up a digital library and rip CDs. Since then, I have come to the realization that I am not going to do that and instead will keep my CD's and listen to them on my Oppo 205. I just don't have the time and also, do not want to start setting up redundancy solutions to protect my files. My reality is that I spend most of the time streaming music from Spotify and/or Tidal. I wanted to get the best quality out of streaming music, so I bought the McIntosh MB50 streamer which I have been enjoying but it commands a very premium price. I am thinking about returning it and switching to a cheaper solution that can give me good, high-quality streaming solution as well as the ability to connect to an external HD if I choose to do it in the future. I could put the rest of the money towards something else, like higher quality cables. Since my system has a DAC that I would like to use (McIntosh C2600), I don't necessarily need one if that can lower the price. So far, I have been able to identify a couple of inexpensive streamers but I was wondering if there was a anything else I was missing: 1. Node 2 - I had one, did not like it. Kept disconnecting from my Wi-Fi network and was completely unreliable. 2. Cambridge Audio CXN (V2) - don't know much about it but looks good on paper. 3. Oppo Sonica DAC - it will force me to use its DAC (no digital out) but looks like a high-quality device. Should I be looking at anything else? How important is it to buy a more expensive device if streaming is the main use? Does the quality go up? (again, if I use my existing DAC). Thank you in advance for your guidance. Last edited by Killergurt; 01-06-2018 at 02:28 PM. |
#2
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It is important for most people who listen to music to run Ethernet Cat6 cabling from the router to your music system. Wi-Fi can be troubling for many people and Ethernet fixes that.
I personally use a Squeezebox Touch for my system and it works well for me. Ron
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Ron Processor: McIntosh MX170, Amp: Legacy Audio i-V7, Digital: Benchmark DAC3B, Roon Music Player, Oppo UDP-205, Apple TV 4K, Fire TV Stick 4K Max, Analog: Gold Note Pianosa Turntable, Gold Note PH-10 Phono Preamplifier, Donatello MC Cartridge, Speakers: Legacy Audio Signature SE Natural Sapele Pommele, Silverscreen HD Center, JL Audio e112-Gloss Sub |
#3
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Aurender N100H
Last edited by jdandy; 01-06-2018 at 11:27 PM. Reason: Corrected model number typo |
#4
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Killergurt expressed a less expensive solution though?
Ron
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Ron Processor: McIntosh MX170, Amp: Legacy Audio i-V7, Digital: Benchmark DAC3B, Roon Music Player, Oppo UDP-205, Apple TV 4K, Fire TV Stick 4K Max, Analog: Gold Note Pianosa Turntable, Gold Note PH-10 Phono Preamplifier, Donatello MC Cartridge, Speakers: Legacy Audio Signature SE Natural Sapele Pommele, Silverscreen HD Center, JL Audio e112-Gloss Sub Last edited by jdandy; 01-06-2018 at 11:27 PM. Reason: Corrected typo in quote |
#5
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Yes, my point is, if I am going to mainly use this device for streaming, does it make sense to spend thousands?
I guess this is what I don't fully understand, the more expensive the device gets (assuming it gets higher in quality), does it improve streaming quality? Or can the most basic streamer match the quality of a very expensive one? |
#6
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Quote:
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Ron Processor: McIntosh MX170, Amp: Legacy Audio i-V7, Digital: Benchmark DAC3B, Roon Music Player, Oppo UDP-205, Apple TV 4K, Fire TV Stick 4K Max, Analog: Gold Note Pianosa Turntable, Gold Note PH-10 Phono Preamplifier, Donatello MC Cartridge, Speakers: Legacy Audio Signature SE Natural Sapele Pommele, Silverscreen HD Center, JL Audio e112-Gloss Sub |
#7
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NO.
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#8
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"Yes, my point is, if I am going to mainly use this device for streaming, does it make sense to spend thousands"?
My question back is why did you decide to spend many more thousands on mono-block amps and a tube preamp for your 2-channel listening? I'm sure you could have spent quite a bit less and still experienced excellent sound quality. My point is, why all of a sudden become "practical" on what will be one of your main sources of 2-channel audio? I don't think the importance of source components in a system should be taken lightly and I believe they should be on par with the rest of the components in your system. I'd much rather "overspend" on a source component than on overhyped cables and other tweaks. |
#9
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You can but you don't need to. You can get SOTA performance with a Sonore microRendu or ultaRendu. Just ask Chris Conaker of Computer Audiophile or Michael Lavorgna of Audiostream.
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Lumin P1 streamer/DAC/preamp, Constellation Inspiration integrated TT: Michell Gyro SE MkII, SME V, Koetsu Urushi Vermilion, EAR324. Harbeth 30.2s, REL R-305, Shunyata Alpha V2 ICs, Alpha V2 SPs, Sigma XC, Sigma NRv2, Omega QR-s & Alpha NRv2 PCs, segmented Altaira SG stack w/ Alpha & Omega CGCs, Everest 8000 PD. Remote Server Room: Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark Master Clock & LPS, Alita, Battle Angel, (Akasa NUC Roon Core), iFi DC Purifiers (for SMPS used for Alita & router), Shunyata Gemini combo power distributor & Altaira-type CG GP-NR hub, Venom & Alpha CGCs, Shunyata NRv14 power cords for digital components. |
#10
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I think the Sonos units are rock solid although they don’t do high resolution
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