Streaming hi-res digital - where to start?

Ok, so I've got a lovely mid-range hi-fi separates set, lots of audiophile CDs and LPs, but I'm very intrigued about this hi-res malarkey.

Basically where do I start? If I download some hi-res files from HDTracks, what do I need to get to play them over my separates (if indeed that can be done) without bothering with discs? A DAC paired with a laptop? Could I do it from my phone?

In the words of the great Joni Mitchell, help me.

 

PC/laptop, dac, JRiver Media Center software, some kind of file storage and backup for it.

 

Would that be a 'download' setup as opposed to on-demand 'streaming'?

 

Where exactly does streaming come into play?

 

This is basically what I want to do (if possible):
Download a media library program, download a **** load of hi-res albums which I can then store/backup in a cloud, then use either my laptop or iPhone to play through my hifi?

To do this I'd need a DAC won't I? I take it DACs can connect to your home wifi?? And I'm assuming the 24/96 files won't downsample through such a process?

 

If you're just trying to play files through your stereo and want the cheapest way to try it out, download the Foobar mobile app, hook up an RCA to 1/8'' adapter to the headphone jack of your mobile phone, output to your stereo and try that.

Next step would be using a laptop or tablet device via USB through a standalone DAC hooked up to your stereo.

After that comes a network streamer device and NAS.

 

Here's where you start:

Find a 24/96 download of a cd you already have. Make sure it is the identical mastering. For example, the recent Led Zep re-masters have the same version on the cd as you get from some download sites.

Rip your cd. Download your hi-rez. Tell me if you hear a worthwhile difference.

If you don't, congratulations, you just saved yourself a lot of trouble and money.

 

Another phone option: get an Audioquest Dragonfly & Dragontail ($120; supports up to 24/96). Download Onkyo HF Player app. You may need an SD card for storage. Run a cable like this over to an AUX input on your hi-fi:

Amazon.com: RCA Cable, iXCC 6ft Dual Shielded Gold-Plated 3.5mm Male to 2RCA Male Stereo Audio Y Cable: Home Audio & Theater

P.S. If you use a DVD player for CD playback, use lplex to burn 24/96 files to DVD.

 

Would I be able to hear the difference through a ****** laptop speaker though?

 

What you are describing is more like option 3 I described in my previous reply. A basic DAC won't work.

You're going to need a lot of cloud space. Hi-rez albums are usually over 1 gig in size. Even if you do have a network streamer that can make it happen over wifi, better hope your connection is good. Many people using network streamers have the NAS connected directly via ethernet cable for this reason.

To put things in perspective, I had latency issues trying to wifi stream 16/44 FLACs over a PS4 hooked up to my DAC via optical connection using Plex. And Plex was transcoding these files to mp3. Comcast in my area isn't the worst, but not great either.

 

Nope. Many people can't tell the difference with good equipment either. IMHO the only reason to go for hi-rez is because there is a specific mastering I want that I can't get on CD or 16/44 FLAC. That or the label/musician offers hi-rez files by default instead of 16/44. Otherwise I don't bother with hi-rez just because it's hi-rez. Other people have different opinions on this matter.

 

I read the op as download some files, play ("stream") them to a stereo. JRiver has a bunch of different ways to do that from local files, network files, to/from another JRiver PC, a DLNA server and/or renderer, an AVR network player, etc.

 

Do you know if I can stream files from JRiver to an Arcam RPlay?

 

If you have an android tablet or phone, pick up an otg cable, a decent dac and download the app USB audio pro. This app allows you to do a bit perfect stream from an android device to the dac. Not wireless, but works well and is more convenient if you're not a computer guy.

 

Can I just plug an RCA male stereo cable from my laptop to the aux output of my Arcam amp. What does the DAC actually do?

 

Don't spend a lot of money, yet go with the best:

Computer Audiophile - Sonore microRendu Review, Part 1

You'll need a DAC, though. Digital to Analog Convertor. It takes the digital signal and turns it into an analog signal which you can hear, instead of a bunch of 1s and 0s. (Very simplified)

 

Yes, you can. This device does the same job for half the price:
Amazon.com: NAD DAC 2 Wireless 24Bit/192kHz USB Digital-to-Analog Converter: Electronics
NOTE: It only goes up to 96kHz, not 192.

Yes, you can but it goes to the AUX input.

A "digital-to-analog" converter turns digital music file data into an analog electrical signal. Your laptop has one internally; it is used to play music to headphones or its line out. Many people feel the DAC inside a laptop is not of "audiophile" quality and choose to use an external DAC. This device connects to the laptop via USB allowing data to flow to it without going through the laptop's internal DAC.

 

Thanks for your help here man. Ok have another question. Seeing as I can control the JRiver software on my laptop from my phone, if I were to get the rDAC, could I then use AirPlay to stream the files on JRiver using my phone rather than from the laptop? Does that make sense? Or does AirPlay downsample stuff?

 

^ You would stream from JRMC on PC to the rDAC using UPnP. You can control JRiver on your cellphone using JRemote app.

Researching it looks like there is a way to do this with AirPlay but I'm not familiar with it.

 

I think you stream using DTS Play-Fi. Anyone have experience with this?

 

What he said. This is the simplest route if you ask me.

If you have JRiver I don't understand why you need all that other stuff suggested after RR's post. I use JRiver on a laptop. Laptop via USB into a DAC. DAC to your preamp via interconnects.
Configure JRiver to output sound across the USB to your DAC. Press play and listen to your hi-res music.

 

Is there anything else I need to do to windows before I play the 24/96 and 24/192 files in JRiver? I'd hate to think they're being downsampled without me realising it.

I have JRiver on my laptop with the remote app on my iPhone. I can either play the files on my phone or use the phone to control the laptop. Either way I'm still getting them hires aren't I? Albeit muddied using the phones/laptops soundcard.

 

How do you have the laptop connected to your stereo?

If you are using the JRiver app on your phone to control the laptop app, it is not actually playing thru the phone, so sound quality is not affected.

 

I don't yet, I just want to make sure the laptop is set up correctly.