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AUDIO FORUMS >> Digital >> Streaming newbie looking for advice.
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Message started by Katiebo17 on 06/20/25 at 19:01:13

Title: Streaming newbie looking for advice.
Post by Katiebo17 on 06/20/25 at 19:01:13

Hello everyone! I am currently looking to add streaming to my system. As a physical media person I just don’t know where to start. I also don’t know how much use a streamer will get in my system as I like the hand-on approach to the audio experience. That being said what would be a reasonable first step? I have done a little research and love the price point of the Wiim ultra. However, if it would be akin to throwing money away then I would probably pass and get something further up the ladder. My current amplification includes a Torri mk3 and SE84UFO2.1 that I switch between. I may be picking up a SE34I.5 soon too (yes, I’m a bit of a Decware fan). Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Title: Re: Streaming newbie looking for advice.
Post by HockessinKid on 06/20/25 at 19:45:26

There are a lot of different options to consider, ranging in complexity, cost and which streaming service you're going to use. You might want to look at a single unit combined streamer/DAC as a starting point. Many of these provide for different streaming service options such as Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz, etc. FWIW, I use Qobuz as I found it has the best sound quality.

You'll also need to think about how your going to connect the streamer/DAC to your router. Many prefer to use the built in WiFi on a streamer/DAC, however this can be glitchy depending on your home wifi set up. In my system I found that using an Ethernet cable to my router through an AC extender proved the most reliable.

There are a lot of options for single box streamer/DAC's out there. I'm pretty sure that some will recommend a separate streamer and DAC set up. The inexpensive WiiM and Bluesound offerings are pretty basic and straightforward to set up, but don't offer really good sound quality for high resolution music IMHO.

I suggest you check out offerings from Eversolo and Cambridge Audio as well.

HK

Title: Re: Streaming newbie looking for advice.
Post by Dominick on 06/21/25 at 04:01:13

As HK said…there are a lot of different options out there with different price points. I started out with a Google Chromecast Audio streamer that kept me busy until I could afford something better. It maxes out at 24/96, but it’s still Hi Res. I then jumped into an AudioQuest Dragon Red and used it with Qobuz and Tidal. Right now I’m using Roon that’s paired with a Rapberry Pi as an endpoint and a Schiit Bifrost 2 DAC, which I’m very happy with.

I also highly recommended Qobuz as well. Out of all the streaming services, I find them to be the best in terms of sound quality.

Title: Re: Streaming newbie looking for advice.
Post by JMeader on 06/23/25 at 16:46:08

Do you plan on playing your own digitized music say from a USB drive.

If so this increases some of your options

See my signature

Enjoy the music