Any audiophiles out there?

[aschen]

I listen about 50% youtube concert videos (tiny desk concerts and the like), just have toslink from tv to digital preamp and 49.5% Tidal streaming through Blusound node with digital coax to pre.

0.5% LPs when the mood strikes.

Roon is more about network and multiple systems and storage and streaming services. Most users seem to love the interface but I have never used it. Tidal native interface is crap but good enough. BluOS is pretty decent for HMI.

[hcoles]

Originally Posted by ErVikingo

I dont use Roon. I find that if you dont have a large library of music on a NAS its of limited use (YMMV).

I like SACD, DVDA, CD and stream from Qobuz and Amazon HD.

Currently using a Wiim Pro digital coax to a ChiFi DAC (Topping D90SE). Very convenient interface and its bit accurate out on the digital. The Topping is very accurate and musical.

Thanks, I was looking at Amazon. You have to pay for the upgrade to get control and be able to skip tracks above a certain limit. I guess this avoids having to set up a NAS.

[ErVikingo]

Originally Posted by hcoles

Thanks, I was looking at Amazon. You have to pay for the upgrade to get control and be able to skip tracks above a certain limit. I guess this avoids having to set up a NAS.

I pay for Amazon HD but find myself using it less since I subscribed to Qobuz (thus might drop amazon).

When looking at streamers, check and see which platforms they support. To me the decision was down to bit perfect output (I prefer outboard DAC), platform support and user interface

[hcoles]

Originally Posted by ErVikingo

I pay for Amazon HD but find myself using it less since I subscribed to Qobuz (thus might drop amazon).

When looking at streamers, check and see which platforms they support. To me the decision was down to bit perfect output (I prefer outboard DAC), platform support and user interface

I'm new to this... re. Qobuz how does it work? E.g. I go on the site using my laptop and select music and/or build lists of music and then "stream" it to my AVR? Is there any special function the AVR needs other than the RJ45 connector?
Thanks.

[ErVikingo]

Originally Posted by hcoles

I'm new to this... re. Qobuz how does it work? E.g. I go on the site using my laptop and select music and/or build lists of music and then "stream" it to my AVR? Is there any special function the AVR needs other than the RJ45 connector?
Thanks.

Qobuz is similar to Amazon, TIDAL, etc. App based you can purchase (download) and stream (depending on the subscription level you sign up for).

Amazon is friendlier for discovery of new music but Qobuz has more high Res contents.

If your AVR has streaming capabilities and its compatible with Qobuz its easy. Plug in, sign up and enjoy. The problem with streaming as that not all platforms are compatible with all hardware.

The friendlier ones are BluOs (used on Node and NAD - related companies) and IMHO the Wiim app.

[hcoles]

It seems there are streaming devices that can be plugged into a receiver. They may have digital or pre-amp level output. I'm finding various streaming services:
- Tidal
- Qobuz
- Amazon High Def.
- Spotify (have gone to 16 bit and 44kHz)
Not sure if a given streaming device can handle more than one of these services.

[ErVikingo]

Originally Posted by hcoles

It seems there are streaming devices that can be plugged into a receiver. They may have digital or pre-amp level output. I'm finding various streaming services:
- Tidal
- Qobuz
- Amazon High Def.
- Spotify (have gone to 16 bit and 44kHz)
Not sure if a given streaming device can handle more than one of these services.

Denon and others have a built in streamer (HEOS) which is good if you are not interested in an outboard DAC.

Yes devices handle multiple sources!

[aschen]

Yeah most of them handle most of them if that makes sense.

Bluesound node is very user friendly and the app works well with all of those. As a device it is overpriced but if you want to hit the easy switch it works well and is built nicely.

The Wiim device is much cheaper and is still pretty easy to use as well.

You can get creative with raspberry pie's or a cajillion other ways as well. Ive had Tidal for so long I am sticking with it but would probably sign up for Qobuz otherwise.

[hcoles]

Originally Posted by aschen

Yeah most of them handle most of them if that makes sense.

Bluesound node is very user friendly and the app works well with all of those. As a device it is overpriced but if you want to hit the easy switch it works well and is built nicely.

The Wiim device is much cheaper and is still pretty easy to use as well.

You can get creative with raspberry pie's or a cajillion other ways as well. Ive had Tidal for so long I am sticking with it but would probably sign up for Qobuz otherwise.

Do I need to have a local storage device or can I use e.g. Amazon, Spotify or ? as the storage? I guess having local storage provides faster response. ??

[aschen]

Dont need local storage, music is streamed directly from service. Uou just need internet capable of the data rate which is a very low bar these days

[javadog]

I still prefer CDs. Streaming is like FM radio, OK for background music while I’m doing something else. For instance, this might be helpful:

https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/video/discover/audio-bitrate.html

[hcoles]

Originally Posted by aschen

Dont need local storage, music is streamed directly from service. Uou just need internet capable of the data rate which is a very low bar these days

Okay, good. Thanks.

[aschen]

Tidal qobuz and others have cd or better fidelity

[astrochex]

Originally Posted by aschen

Tidal qobuz and others have cd or better fidelity

“Better fidelity” doesn’t matter if the source material isn’t better.

[Chocaholic]

Originally Posted by javadog

I still prefer CDs. Streaming is like FM radio, OK for background music while I’m doing something else. For instance, this might be helpful:

https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/video/discover/audio-bitrate.html

Streaming is nothing like FM radio. Sound quality that rivals CD, an endless choice of music, genres, playlists, etc. About 70% of my listening is streamed on a BluSound Node to a Denefrips DAC.

If you’re streaming via Bluetooth, you’re doing it wrong. Get a proper streamer controlled by a proper interface (BluOS or Roon) and access stream direct from router (ideally hard wired via Cat 6 or 7 cable). CD’s rarely see the transport anymore.

[javadog]

Not all streaming is the same.

I’m old-school. CDs.

[Chocaholic]

Originally Posted by javadog

Not all streaming is the same.

I’m old-school. CDs.

Now, that I understand. But don’t underestimate the versatility of a good streaming setup. I’ve found more great music by simply running an acoustic jazz (for example) play list and sitting back and enjoying. Something you dislike comes up, just touch the arrow on your iPad. Here’s one I’d have never known about…Snorre Kirk (jazz drummer). I’ve since bought two of his albums on vinyl (I’m even older School).

Enjoy.

[hcoles]

This brings up the question....re. e.g. Spotify.
I understand they now provide an upgraded quality. I think CD quality 16bit , 44.1kHz.
Did they go back to the original high quality file or some how convert the lower resolution files they were already serving?

[SpyderMike]

I have a raspberry pi as a server with a small 1Tb drive. Some 60,000 songs are on the drive. We are mostly CD folks and I FLAC every new CD uncompressed and put it on the drive. It has been working great for years. The pi software (picoreplayer) is free and works great as a server, player and/or both. Very quick to setup. HiFiBerry DAC cards are used if a player. The newest pis are fast and responsive. Several players are served this way...outside music, main traditional stereo, three Sonos players...all on the network. They can be selectively synch'd so the sound throughout is seamless. The pi server will also stream from several services.

[javadog]

Perfect! Seamless background music!