Best Source/DAC to Stream Tidal

[RDSChicago]

I am almost exclusively doing all my listening via Tidal streaming. Right now I'm using a MacBook USB port into a Wyred4Sound Recover into the USB input of my DAC.

If one doesn't need a full blown music server since I don't really use stored computer files/songs, and relies almost exclusively on Tidal for music, what recommendations to you have in various price categories, say under $3,000, $3,000-$5,000 and up to $10,000. Or given these price ranges, should I stick with what I am doing?

I know this is a broad question, as I can get a streamer which includes a DAC or doesn't. They are also coming out with several attractive all-in-one's, such as a Simaudio Ace, but let's assume I am happy with my amplification and preamps for now.

Thanks.

 

[CGabriel]

I am almost exclusively doing all my listening via Tidal streaming. Right now I'm using a MacBook USB port into a Wyred4Sound Recover into the USB input of my DAC.

If one doesn't need a full blown music server since I don't really use stored computer files/songs, and relies almost exclusively on Tidal for music, what recommendations to you have in various price categories, say under $3,000, $3,000-$5,000 and up to $10,000. Or given these price ranges, should I stick with what I am doing?

I know this is a broad question, as I can get a streamer which includes a DAC or doesn't. They are also coming out with several attractive all-in-one's, such as a Simaudio Ace, but let's assume I am happy with my amplification and preamps for now.

Thanks.

While I am a huge Mac fan, for this I use an HP Pavilion "touch screen" running ROON. ROON has an excellent Tidal interface and the HP touch screen gets you as close to a Soolos system at a fraction of the cost.

 

[Kuoppis]

In my large system I am using an Aurender N100H to stream Tidal into a Meitner MA1 DAC, accessed via the Aurender app. Works like a charm.

In my summerhouse system I am streaming Tidal through an Auralic Mini, into a Ayre Codex DAC via the Lightning DS app. Also very smooth.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[wklie]

Lumin implementation of Tidal offers the following advantages:

1. Gapless playback
2. Upconversion to DSD if desired
3. Mixing of Tidal and user's own music into the same playlist
4. iPad can be offline if necessary
5. Choice of different user interfaces - Lumin app, Linn Kazoo app, Tidal official app (via AirPlay), Roon (for Roon subscribers, via AirPlay currently)

 

[Randy Myers]

I don't do Tidal, however I know lots of people use Tidal with Roon. It is integrated right into Roon. I use Roon for my downloaded music on my custom built PC as my music server. I use a Microsoft Surface Pro 3 as my controller. A friend has a Meridian system and I think that the way I have Roon setup works as well, if not even slightly better.