I’ve been streaming music from a PC to a DAC since the early days of EAC and the original Squeezebox, so I’ve been in this lower end side of the world for quite some time. While I currently stream to my PS Audio DS DAC over its Bridge II interface, it is limiting in some ways. I’d like to change that.
What I’m looking for is a good bang for the buck network streamer that will let me run everything into my DAC via I2S over HDMI. The device must have that interface natively - no add-on to get that. I looked at one device but saw (IIUC) that it limited the resolution of Qobuz data at its output. I don’t want that. It must provide at its I2S output the full resolution of whatever is going into it. It should have the ability to stream all the stuff that’s out there, including Internet radio, either through its own interface or something like LMS (although if I have to go that route I’ll have to get some sort of Android device, since it’s not supported on iOS anymore
). My own music has been stored and managed for years on an 8 drive Qnap RAID NAS, so I really don’t need on board storage. I recognize that will likely be sonically superior, but as my primary means of listening are still transport for digital, plus analog, I’m willing to make that compromise in the interest of a quality (still quality) budget solution. I also don’t need a drive or a ripping capability. A single box solution is preferred, and also preferably running off a good linear supply. I’m not able to jump into the pricey end of this world just yet, so I’m hoping for something that will get me into things without too much sonic penalty. Used devices are always an option.
What I’m looking for is a good bang for the buck network streamer that will let me run everything into my DAC via I2S over HDMI. The device must have that interface natively - no add-on to get that. I looked at one device but saw (IIUC) that it limited the resolution of Qobuz data at its output. I don’t want that. It must provide at its I2S output the full resolution of whatever is going into it. It should have the ability to stream all the stuff that’s out there, including Internet radio, either through its own interface or something like LMS (although if I have to go that route I’ll have to get some sort of Android device, since it’s not supported on iOS anymore
). My own music has been stored and managed for years on an 8 drive Qnap RAID NAS, so I really don’t need on board storage. I recognize that will likely be sonically superior, but as my primary means of listening are still transport for digital, plus analog, I’m willing to make that compromise in the interest of a quality (still quality) budget solution. I also don’t need a drive or a ripping capability. A single box solution is preferred, and also preferably running off a good linear supply. I’m not able to jump into the pricey end of this world just yet, so I’m hoping for something that will get me into things without too much sonic penalty. Used devices are always an option.
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