Honestly for streaming Spotify I’d not go much higher. Was just shocked because most around here answer less than $200 for a streamer!
The Dark Side; Digital audio equipment recommendations and setup.
- Thread starter Ed Selley
- Start date
Honestly for streaming Spotify I’d not go much higher. Was just shocked because most around here answer less than $200 for a streamer!
Sebastian
It’s Wool…
Sorry. That meant to say “wasn’t” huge
Mr Moustache
Well-Known Member
As @duke86fan mentioned a few weeks back, Spotify is getting into Hi Rez streaming. And that is good news, at least to me!
Sebastian
It’s Wool…
Yeah. We’re not sure if we’ll be upgrading our plan.
jamieanderson1968
Well-Known Member
This is my setup. I have my Bluesound Node 2i connected to my old Marantz receiver and is sounds very nice. I got it for $550 CDN, not sure what the US price is but you probably get it for sub $500 if you looked for a bit.
I would say about 80% of my streaming is from local files and the other 20% is Tidal. I also use Roon as my controller as the the Bluesound streaming OS is not great. Roon is nice because it integrates local files with your streaming services (looks like one library). Streaming to it from Roon or the Tidal app is smooth. BUT because I have a lot of live concerts, Roon is my prefered choice since it is gapless playback.
In all honesty, unless you are streaming in cd quality or higher I would not use the Node 2i as it is overkill.
When I was looking for something off the shelf, the Node 2i was the cheapest option that ticked the all my boxes.
I think the next option with a cheaper price is going the DIY route with a Rasperry-pi. Great idea if you are inclined to get your hands a bit dirty. Nothing super complicated but just not what I wanted. This will work with Spotify connect. But I wanted plug and play that is exactly what the Node 2i gave me.
I would say about 80% of my streaming is from local files and the other 20% is Tidal. I also use Roon as my controller as the the Bluesound streaming OS is not great. Roon is nice because it integrates local files with your streaming services (looks like one library). Streaming to it from Roon or the Tidal app is smooth. BUT because I have a lot of live concerts, Roon is my prefered choice since it is gapless playback.
In all honesty, unless you are streaming in cd quality or higher I would not use the Node 2i as it is overkill.
When I was looking for something off the shelf, the Node 2i was the cheapest option that ticked the all my boxes.
I think the next option with a cheaper price is going the DIY route with a Rasperry-pi. Great idea if you are inclined to get your hands a bit dirty. Nothing super complicated but just not what I wanted. This will work with Spotify connect. But I wanted plug and play that is exactly what the Node 2i gave me.
Sebastian
It’s Wool…
Excellent! That is probably the direction I’ll head in. Just wanted to see what my options were.
AnthonyI
Well-Known Member
Well, these show up tomorrow, all indications are they'll be a great budget option
Mr Moustache
Well-Known Member
but this is just DAC + headphone amp no? no streaming option right? Does Shiit make a budget streamer?Well, these show up tomorrow, all indications are they'll be a great budget option
View attachment 92419
MikeH
Well-Known Member
Are you a mac or PC/android household? And are you just streaming to one set of speakers? If you're just doing CD quality audio, wouldn't a chromecast audio be a good budget/starter option? I don't know all the tech specs on that but I know a lot of people who think it's great value and a good intro to wireless streaming. I believe you could pair it with a separate DAC as well. I didn't go that route because I'm not a spotty user and had a bunch of downloaded files and knew I was going to use Roon.
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Sebastian
It’s Wool…
I have 2 laptops at home that I RARELY use. One is probably 12 years old, still running XP and the other is maybe 7 or 8 and is running something Windows...haha.
I use my iPhone so much that I don’t ever need to open them. I’ve thought about dumping them and just getting a Mac but not at this time. My wife has a personal laptop and also one for work.
Oh and we have 2 iPads...
Pergo
Active Member
Not sure if this would fit your needs or not, but I just use this little guy. I rarely do much streaming, but if I do its just straight from my iPhone with either Spotify or my personal files in iTunes/Apple Music/whatever its called now. I have this unit connected to the optical input on my amp and it works fine for my limited use.
Amazon product ASIN B00MHTGZR4
Amazon product ASIN B00MHTGZR4
Well, these show up tomorrow, all indications are they'll be a great budget option
You would still need a streaming input for the modi though, it’s not capable of streaming on its own.
You would still need a streaming input for the modi though, it’s not capable of streaming on its own.
gaporter
Well-Known Member
Ok so here we go... blerghhhhh
I am not very knowledgeable of the technical side of vinyl, which is why I usually avoid these threads so as to not make a fool of myself. But I also recognize this is probably my best bet of getting good advice on this from people who actually know what they're talking about. I just ask that you keep any explanations very simple so my brain can keep up
I am wanting to invest in some headphones to use with my turntable. My limited research suggests I need a headphone pre-amp. I have a Fluance RT-82. In your fine people's opinion what is my best option here?
I'm leaning towards this
Can anyone vouch for this or tell me if it's to be avoided?
I am not very knowledgeable of the technical side of vinyl, which is why I usually avoid these threads so as to not make a fool of myself. But I also recognize this is probably my best bet of getting good advice on this from people who actually know what they're talking about. I just ask that you keep any explanations very simple so my brain can keep up
I am wanting to invest in some headphones to use with my turntable. My limited research suggests I need a headphone pre-amp. I have a Fluance RT-82. In your fine people's opinion what is my best option here?
I'm leaning towards this
Can anyone vouch for this or tell me if it's to be avoided?
AnthonyI
Well-Known Member
I get that, that's why I said it depends on your usage. With these I'm playing stored files and streaming from my PC.Well, these show up tomorrow, all indications are they'll be a great budget option
You would still need a streaming input for the modi though, it’s not capable of streaming on its own.
MikeH
Well-Known Member
I think that's what @AnthonyI just bought so he can speak on it! I don't have one but I think a lot of people like it.Ok so here we go... blerghhhhh
I am not very knowledgeable of the technical side of vinyl, which is why I usually avoid these threads so as to not make a fool of myself. But I also recognize this is probably my best bet of getting good advice on this from people who actually know what they're talking about. I just ask that you keep any explanations very simple so my brain can keep up
I am wanting to invest in some headphones to use with my turntable. My limited research suggests I need a headphone pre-amp. I have a Fluance RT-82. In your fine people's opinion what is my best option here?
I'm leaning towards this
Can anyone vouch for this or tell me if it's to be avoided?
View attachment 92423
edit: i lied. looks like he's getting it soon.
AnthonyI
Well-Known Member
They were the pieces that came under budget and had a pretty solid track record across the board, again, for my intended use and not looking for the quality I'm getting from my rig, these will more than suffice. On top of that, for what it looks like you're going to use it for and where it's going to reside, the 3"x5" footprint is really appealingOk so here we go... blerghhhhh
I am not very knowledgeable of the technical side of vinyl, which is why I usually avoid these threads so as to not make a fool of myself. But I also recognize this is probably my best bet of getting good advice on this from people who actually know what they're talking about. I just ask that you keep any explanations very simple so my brain can keep up
I am wanting to invest in some headphones to use with my turntable. My limited research suggests I need a headphone pre-amp. I have a Fluance RT-82. In your fine people's opinion what is my best option here?
I'm leaning towards this
Can anyone vouch for this or tell me if it's to be avoided?
View attachment 92423
I purchased the Modi 3+ and Magni Heresy
AnthonyI
Well-Known Member
LOL, they'll be here tomorrow
Ok so here we go... blerghhhhh
I am not very knowledgeable of the technical side of vinyl, which is why I usually avoid these threads so as to not make a fool of myself. But I also recognize this is probably my best bet of getting good advice on this from people who actually know what they're talking about. I just ask that you keep any explanations very simple so my brain can keep up
I am wanting to invest in some headphones to use with my turntable. My limited research suggests I need a headphone pre-amp. I have a Fluance RT-82. In your fine people's opinion what is my best option here?
I'm leaning towards this
Can anyone vouch for this or tell me if it's to be avoided?
View attachment 92423
I think, from what I remember you saying, that you don’t have a phono stage but are using one built into your active speakers?
You would need a phono stage before the headphone amp too because I don’t think your speakers will have a line out.
So you’d go table to phono stage to magni.
You’d connect the back RCA output to your powered speakers, and turn off its phono stage. If you want headphones you just plug them into the headphone output on the front.
displayname
Well-Known Member
Here's my knowledge of the under $1K Streaming market...
DIY Raspberry Pi: $100(ish)+
Build it your self, pick your OS, can be upgraded. Volumio tends to be the most popular OS.
Bluesound Node 2i: $550 Bluesound - Node 2i Network Music Player
Kind of the gold standard for under $1K. Tons of sellers, loads of reviews, showcased in a lot of higher end systems. Possibly best software in the game, but less important if you're just doing Spotify Connect. Has MQA too if you're looking at doing Tidal.
PecanPi: $550+ https://orchardaudio.com/shop/ols/products/pcnp-strmr
Prebuilt option based off the Rasberry Pi. Requires software, but you have some options rather than being locked into one OS. Dual DAC is a nice touch. They have some DIY and premium options too.
Volumio Primo: $850 Volumio Primo Music Streamer | AudioThesis
Includes Volumio lifetime subscription built in. Built buy Volumio for max compatibility. ESS Dac. Only option so far with an HDMI.
You can also go used to bring in options like the Cambridge CXN V2 for $600-700. Works more as a full digital hub and streamer with dual dacs.
The software on these is EVERYTHING. It's what makes or breaks it. If you're just doing Spotify, make sure it has Spotify Connect, which I think they all do. If you're using Tidal, I think Bluesound is the best bang for your buck using MQA (if you care) and Tidal Connect. Managing your own files, that's a whole new ball game that I don't have experience with.
But honestly, with just base level Spotify, a BT connection with your phone is a super cost effective choice. We're talking under $50.