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Newbie Looking for Advice on Streaming Music

Hello Audiogon world.

I am new to this hobby but I think it will suit me well as it looks like it is an endless pursuit of perfection of sound without ever really getting there.  I love the endless possibilities, difference in thought, technology driven aspect mixed with old school art.

I am in the process of building my first 2 channel set up and recently picked up a Primaluna Dialogue HP and a pair of Sonus Faber Chameleons for starters.

Im looking to stream music from Tidal to the new equipment as simple as possible without compromising sound as much as I possibly can (budget permitting of course)

I have been doing some research and I must say this part of the equation is rather confusing with a lot of technical speak that gets brought into the discussion which is a bit overwhelming for a newbie trying to soak it all in.

Do I need to purchase a high quality DAC?
Can I just buy a streaming box like the Paradigm PW Link or Def Tech W Adapt and hook it into the Primaluna?
Do I go with the Halide Design DAC HD D/A Converter from computer straight into Primaluna?
I also read about the wyred4sound modified Sonos Connect.  Does that plus into a DAC or straight into Amp?

Apologies for all the newbie questions.  I did try searching and doing some research but found myself getting confused.  If someone could help me clear up what I will need that will set me on the path to researching the best value for my budget for each component I will need to accomplish my goals of streaming my music from Tidal.

Thanks in advance.  I think this will be a fun hobby!

Don

donblackie
audioengr
3,282 posts
 

You can certainly use WIFI from your latop and even the DAC.  The DAC however requires more attention for good results, since it is the endpoint.

If you want a WIFI solution that sounds really good, I have one with grounded LPS supply and CAT7 cables as well as an isolator.  Not cheap though.  You just located this next to your DAC and plug the Ethernet from the DAC into this.  It is WPS enabled, meaning that it learns your network and password from your router.  Once it learns this, then the network is secure.  During the programming, it's not secure.  Takes about 5 minutes.

WPS I believe is Wireless Pairing System.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

donblackie OP
12 posts
 
@audioengr 
Steve

Thanks for all of your input in this thread.  Can you let me know where I can read more about your wifi solution you mention above?

Thanks

Don

audioengr
3,282 posts
 

I'm afraid I don't have anything to read.  It's a $1K option for my new $13K Overdrive SX DAC, which has Ethernet interface.

I use this WIFI solution interchangeably with my wired Ethernet and they sound identical.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

donblackie OP
12 posts
 
@audioengr 
Understood.  You seem like someone that is very passionate about this stuff.  I like to read about things I am buying so I can understand them better.  Understand that you might not be marketing this as a product.  If you plan to in the future, put out some literature and let me know so I can do some studying on it before I purchase.

Thanks!

Don

audioengr
3,282 posts
 

Don - I can always sell one if you want one.  30-day money-back.

I will never add a webpage for it or put photos on my DAC webpage.  Maybe I could put photo on my audiocircle forum:


Steve N.

Empirical Audio

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