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Budget Music Streamer

I've been trying to get my head around best sound out of a budget streamer. All my CD collection is now in my portable 2TB hard drive as FLAC files and I also have subscription to Apple Music (large playlist). Currently using Apple TV and Airport Express (airplay limiting to 16 bit/44.1kHz) and Apple TV streaming at 48kHz. I have a revealing system and know I can get better sonics by upgrading my digital source. Unfortunately I have been blessed with a good ear for music.  

There are quite a few options out there, each having it's limitations, specially the ability to play Apple music directly from iTunes using a remote without limiting the sampling rate. Do I consider a Mac Mini or build my Raspberry Pi source? Will I get a spdif connection (preference) out of the two? Is there remote control capability to view playlist (I don't intend to hook up a monitor). Or is there a better solution out there for both listening to FLAC files on hard drive and streaming Apple Music? I plan on selling my OPPO player - no use to me, to fund a better DAC (schiit Yggdrasil or BorderPatrol) - hence the digital source is on a budget. Experts chime in..

Simaudio W5 poweramp
Von Schweikerts VR4 
OPPO 105 
Apple TV (using Kanexpro HDMI de-embedder to extract audio - coax in DAC)
Airport Express (optical in DAC)
Benchmark DAC1 (no USB) - used as preamp
Marantz AV7701 preamp
Morrow Audio interconnects 
128x128ghulamr
mzkmxcv
558 posts
 
@ghulamr

Unless getting like a tube DAC or something, most all high end DACs try to sound as “digital” as possible, meaning all they do is convert digital to analog, no colorations added (or minimal as possible). If you can can add EQ/tone control, try bumping the bass up a bit, if you don’t listen at reference levels (peaks of 105dB+), then you are hearing less bass than intended (our ears hear less bass at lower volumes, and to some degree treble, look up the Equal Loudness Contours).  
  
High end digital cables are not any better, a short generic USB/optical cables will have less jitter than a longer $1000 USB/optical cable, so you use the shortest length possible.
big_greg
315 posts
 
I've been really happy with my BlueSound Node 2.  I have 2 of them.  I'm using one with my Auralic Vega DAC and I have the other connected to my Oppo 105D so that I can use its DAC if I want.  You might consider that option. 

Since the introduction of the Node 2i, used Node 2 units seem to be popping up for around $300. 

The main improvements in the 2i according to whathifi.com are:

"What’s easier to understand are the bonus features Bluesound has added to its streamer, including the dual-band wi-fi, Apple AirPlay2 and two-way Bluetooth, which means you can use wireless headphones via the BluOS 3.0 app, as well as a faster processor for a more seamless user experience."

The DAC is the same, but there is a claim that the sound is better because of the way the circuits are laid out in the new unit.  

I'm using a wireless access point and don't use Airplay or the bluetooth, so none of the "improvements" mattered to me.  I can't speak to whether the 2i actually sounds better, not having one to compare to.  

Using the Oppo and the Vega's DACs definitely improves the sound quality.
robelvick's avatar
robelvick
466 posts
 
@ghulamr
Auralic Aries or Aries Mini should work great.  Roon, Spotify, and AirPlay all work great.  Multiple digital out choices too, so it'll be nice to have those options when you upgrade your DAC.

Ethernet or Wifi, and both work wonderfully, with no drop-outs in my experience.
kalali's avatar
kalali
1,645 posts
 
Speaking of a budget system, I’m running a Chromecast Audio through a Schiit Modi Multibit in one of my systems and I think the sound quality is pretty decent. I recently added an ifi ipurifier in the loop and it smoothed out some of the rough edges. Aside from the user interface, I think the overall sound quality is on par with my Node2 except for MQA encoded content. Don’t know if it’ll sound better than what you already have.
ljgerens
44 posts
 
Is there any difference in the SQ between your Airport Express and Apple TV? If the Apple TV is not as good, it might be the Kanexpro. I have 4 systems, 2 using an Airport Express and 2 using Apple TVs (the 3rd generation using the optical output). I can't detect any difference between the SQ using either the Airport Express or Apple TV, they all sound wonderful. The SQ on all 4 systems is neutral to slightly warm with no harshness at all, I can listen all day without fatigue.

A while back, I auditioned a Node2 and found no difference in the SQ between my Airport Express or Apple TV and the Node2 using my external DACs. I did find that the SQ was not as good using the internal DAC on the Node2. This was wirelessly streaming lossless ripped CDs  on my Mac. 
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