Least expensive and best way to stream music to a DAC???

joeinid

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Curious what you guys think is the best and least expensive solution for sound quality. I know there's a myriad of answers but hopefully I can find something that won't cost an arm and a leg.
 
Lumin U2 mini (upcoming) could be very interesting.
Aside from that, Aurender N200.
Innuos ZEN mini mk3


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My experience with Lumin has been great. I agree with Mike on the U2 mini, I just don't think you can go wrong with their gear.

I've also done Roon ROCK (wasn't thrilled), the PS Audio DSD bridge (great but part of an ecosystem), various Squeezebox devices including Transporter (no longer made), and some others I don't remember at this point. Of them, Lumin has consistently given me the best SQ and user experience. Go X1 and you have a great DAC as well, but at a cost although it replaces another component and cables.
 
Joe

Right now it may be the iFi Zen Stream and then if you want later add an upgraded power supply from them or someone else.
 
Joe

Bluesound Node @ $599 and use one of your many wonderful DAC's if/when you don't like the on board dac.



NODE - Bluesound

then again, you already own the NAD C 658 streamer so I guess you are not looking at a cheap option??

Have you used your Topping and RME DAC's with the NAD?
 
I love both the Topping and especially my RME dacs. Both are killer. I like the NAD but my brother wants it so this gives me an opportunity to play with something else.
 
Cheapest decent streamer is a Raspberry Pi with the Pi2AES hat and RopieeeXL software. This will give you AES, S/PDIF coax, USB. All outputs work simultaneously. High performance TCXO clocks. About $350 to $375 all in depending on power supply, case, etc. Takes a bit of assembly work to get set up and running. Pi2AES now has a unit called the Mercury which requires no assembly or fiddling. Not out yet, I think preordering is open. $500.

I have no idea how it compares with more expensive solutions from others.
 
As mentioned by W9TR, the least expensive way would be a Raspberry Pi/HAT combination with dedicated software (RopieeeXL, DietPi, or similar).

I am currently using a Raspberry Pi ($50) with a HiFiBerry Digi+Pro HAT ($50) in a steel case ($25). The HAT is optional and in my case it provides me with additional outputs (S/PDIF and Coaxial outputs). You need to assemble it yourself, but that is actually very easy to do.

RopieeeXL is very versatile software and it is free. It can make the Raspberry Pi work as a Roon-Endpoint. It also allows you to stream from any AirPlay-capable device (iPhones, iPads) and/or from Spotify. You can also enable a Network Audio Adapter (NAA) for HQPlayer that allows streaming over Ethernet directly to the Raspberry Pi. (BTW, this is my preferred method of listening to music when using Roon).

For $125 plus a little bit of your time, you cannot beat it.
 
sadly there are no very cheap ways to stream right.

disadvantage of the raspberry pi, is that is does not have galvanic separation. An improved raspberry pi is the Allo USBridge which does have galvanic separation. However, this sound quality will reach only high levels when a high quality power supply is used. But then it is not very cheap anymore. I bet about 270 for the allo in an aluminium case: however a great lps will make this combo far more expensive. But all together I think this is the lowest priced great sounding streamer

I would like to mention a second cheap idea, that is my Singxer SU-6, it is a digital to digital converter. Great about this: the singxer clock takes over the computers clock. Buy a cheap computer, or even again that raspberry pi with USB out connection. The singxer is about 600, but the computer source could stay cheap. Believe me: that Singxer, what an amazing sound is that. To my ears it is far better then my more expensive Sonore streamer with lps.
 
Joe

Bluesound Node @ $599 and use one of your many wonderful DAC's if/when you don't like the on board dac.



NODE - Bluesound

then again, you already own the NAD C 658 streamer so I guess you are not looking at a cheap option??

Have you used your Topping and RME DAC's with the NAD?

I second the BlueSound Node (latest version) for $599. I am using it in my second system. Just take the digital out and run it to your preferred DAC. The inbuilt DAC of the Node is average at best and easily bettered. The BluOs app is amazing and runs without a glitch every single time. For my ears, I see no reason to spend more than $599 for a streamer.
Anshul
 
Please keep the awesome information coming. I sincerely appreciate it. I’ve been out of the loop for a while and normally I’d spend serious money on something hoping for the right answer. My situation has changed a little and I’d like to experiment without breaking the bank.

I still have a U1 mini that I was thinking about selling and getting the upcoming U2 (mini?). All your suggestions have me thinking about alternatives. Thank you for that.

I listen to a lot of stations/streams in addition to the major services that aren’t as easily accessible via the software. My modified Sonos does a better job in that respect, but the same quality isn’t there for several reasons.
 
I listen to a lot of stations/streams in addition to the major services that aren’t as easily accessible via the software. My modified Sonos does a better job in that respect, but the same quality isn’t there for several reasons.
Laptop>usb>DAC
I use an Audioengine D2 (24/96 wireless bit transfer) instead of a physical cable.
But it in one of the greatest tragedies in human history, they appear to have discontinued it.
I'd have to research who makes an equivalent, not sure ATM.

cheers,

AJ
 
Laptop>usb>DAC
I use an Audioengine D2 (24/96 wireless bit transfer) instead of a physical cable.
But it in one of the greatest tragedies in human history, they appear to have discontinued it.
I'd have to research who makes an equivalent, not sure ATM.

cheers,

AJ
hooking a dac directly to a computer is in general a bad idea. Exceptions are those audiophilic build computers like the Taiko, but these kind of pc's are far from cheap.

A computer has in general a poor audioclock, a poor powersupply and alot of electronical distortion. To overcome these problems I proposed that Singxer digital to digital convertor between the USB output and the dac in my previous post.
 
A computer has in general a poor audioclock, a poor powersupply and alot of electronical distortion.
No. That has zero to do with what I suggested. There is no such boogiemen, distortion, etc. at optical output of the D2 whatsoever, the speaker input (the DAC part) or speaker output>ears. All measurable electrically and verifiable perceptually in the really real world.
I also have zero doubt all those things exist as beliefs in audiophile minds. Also measurable, but with very different methods. YMMV.

cheers,

AJ
 
There are myriad of choices these days. The critical part of any streamer to sound good is what power supply you are using with them. Even a NUC or a Raspberry Pi powered by an excellent power supply will sound better than other commercial products. Folks even have upgraded Lumin U1 mini power supply (off-coarse voiding their warranty) to a better one and found it to sound a lot better than the stock. For a ready to play streaming solutions, take a look at the sonore or sotm products. They work very reliably and doesn't cost a lot.
 
My situation has changed a little and I’d like to experiment without breaking the bank.

I listen to a lot of stations/streams in addition to the major services that aren’t as easily accessible via the software.

Less than $250, allows you to stream anything on internet via a laptop Wireless USB DAC 2 - NAD Electronics in absolutely pristine SQ coming out of your Topping etc DAC.
Seems to be near identical to Audioengine, which I just used at Flexpo to rave reviews...and dead silent background from 97+ db speakers. Have real technical knowledge helps with demonstrable facts.

cheers,

AJ
 
Lots of great suggestions here. I see the UI and plug and play setup being big differentiators.

At this point I’ll add:

If you use USB then the DAC’s clock determines the overall noise/jitter/etc performance. But not all DAC USB implementations are created equal, especially wrt to eliminating noise on the USB power, ground, and data lines. So there’s that.

If you are using AES, S/PDIF then the server’s clock determines the DAC’s timing and jitter. So throwing money at high quality clocks may heighten your musical enjoyment.

Pi’s and hats: the Pi/Pi2AES hat I recommended is galvanically isolated at its Ethernet input and AES/SPDIF digital outputs. USB outputs by definition are not galvanically isolated because they are powered. There are a lot of commercial USB power isolators that are very effective. These can be included in the streamer and sometimes are.

There is a is a 90% chance that a linear power supply is directly feeding a switcher in your server/bridge/switch/interface digital chain.

I would love to see a streamer shootout like Grasshopper did with DACs. That would be great fun!
 
Hmmm, isn't it audiophiles that swear by "listening", not measurements??
Well, lets see what "listening" with "use your ears" says:
AES E-Library >> Theoretical and Audible Effects of Jitter on Digital Audio Quality
the lowest level of jitter to be audible was around 10 ns (rms). This was on a 17 kHz sine wave test signal. With music, no listeners found jitter audible at levels lower than 20 ns.
Detection threshold for distortions due to jitter on digital audio
Professional audio engineers, sound engineers, audio critics and semi-professional musicians participated as listeners. The listeners were allowed to use their own listening environments and their favorite sound materials. It was shown that the detection threshold for random jitter was several hundreds ns for well-trained listeners under their preferable listening conditions.
IOW, only something completely broken (or "audiophile 'design'") could remotely approach audible jitter.
Never mind that analog vinyl/tape tec has 1000x more timing and distortion errors...and audiophile love the sound of that.
lol
 
Hmmm, isn't it audiophiles that swear by "listening", not measurements??
Well, lets see what "listening" with "use your ears" says:
AES E-Library >> Theoretical and Audible Effects of Jitter on Digital Audio Quality

Detection threshold for distortions due to jitter on digital audio

IOW, only something completely broken (or "audiophile 'design'") could remotely approach audible jitter.
Never mind that analog vinyl/tape tec has 1000x more timing and distortion errors...and audiophile love the sound of that.
lol

That paper is from 1998. And 24 years later the term "jitter" is still being thrown around in audiophile circles as if it were a big deal. Yet another example of the boogeymen that still live in the audiophile world!
 
This is an interesting phenomenon - the mass delusion of thousands of music and equipment lovers into believing that certain things are real when it has been scientifically proven that this is indeed not the case. Funny how these same delusional people have some of the finest sounding systems I've had the pleasure to audition. Coincidence, or paranormal phenomenon? Inquiring minds want to know. :)
 
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