Have You Entered Into The World Of Streaming? If so, let's see what ya got!

I subscribe to Google All Access music and use several nice blue tooth speakers around the house, including an adapter on my Bose Wave CD radio. I mostly use this as I would a regular radio broadcast to discover new music or recover older classic and whatever I’m in the mood for.

 

I'm intrigued by the Sim Moon Ace integrated amp and streamer. Anyone have any experience with it?

ACE All-in-One Music Player | High End Amplifier | MOON - Simaudio

 

I'm a little older. My streamer doesn't work like it used to.

 

Since OP (and others like @Macman) is interested in a one box solution, I have been using my Cocktailaudio X40 for a few years now :

It really has everything inside one box, except for amplification which I would always try to avoid anyway.
Some of its' functions :
Preamp possibility, radio, internet radio, streaming, wifi (dlna server), dac, cd player, cd ripper, internal hd (I have a 5TB installed), phono in and analog in, it can record anything you put into any of the inputs (tv shows, concerts, needledrops, ....) onto its internal hd...I probably forget some.
That said I use an external dac (because it sounds better) and I don't use its preamp capabilities because I want to keep my vinyl chain all analog (and so I use a seperate preamp and phono stage). Streaming and internet radio....that was fun for a week or so. But I now have all my cds (and needledrops) on this thing and that's just a very easy solution for me. I have enough albums to stream my own music and everytime I get some new cds (or I bring bring back some cds from my local library), I rip them on the Cocktailaudio and do a backup from time to time. Everything can be accessed either by remote control and the display (or you can even connect a screen or tv to have everything displayed on), or by app, or by website application (easy to change some tags if you need to after ripping).

 

I thought this might be interesting to show just how inept Pandora Music Service truly is. I waited three days to get this response from Pandora. I asked a very simple question, which should have been very easy to answer for anyone technical at Pandora, but I got someone who DID NOT know, so they just sent me some talking points, how about this:

Thanks for writing in.

Unfortunately, we no longer support your device. We apologize for any inconvenience.

That being said, in my personal opinion your device should be receiving from 64kbps to 128 kbps.

Again, we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and appreciate your understanding as we move forward.

Jorge
Support Specialist
Pandora
Need help? https://help.pandora.com
Was this reply helpful? NO, NO, NO

They no longer support my device, what the heck, it's a new device, it's a streamer, Marantz NA-6006, New Product, yet they no longer support it, what does that mean? So the rep took a guess! Now that is customer service. In other words, they did not want to get out of their seat and go ask someone that would obviously know! This is sooooo bad.

 

Mainly Apple Music to Apple TVs via an iOS device or HomePod. However, I also have a Yamaha WCX-50 I mainly use with Airplay.

In addition, for streaming, I have Amazon Echos around the house. I mainly use them for streaming podcasts over Bluetooth, but they come in handy for just music when I am getting ready in the morning. They handle Apple Music, SiriusXM, and Amazon Prime.

For streaming my own collection, I mainly use Plex.

 

I use several.

Blue Sound Node2 in my main system, connected to a NAS and my network. Excellent sound. Interface is just OK.
Denon HEOS Preamp our vacation home system, connected to a portable USB drive and my network. Excellent sound. Easy to use interface.
PC Computer in my office, streaming through an HRT streamer, and connected to a NAS and my network. Makes MP3 and internet radio listenable. Interface is whatever I choose (Foobar mostly).
Marantz SR7009 HT Receiver in our family room, ethernet connected to my network and NAS. Interface is primitive.

All can play from CD or better quality digital files, (include FLAC). All except the HRT can play 24/192 files. All can stream from the internet- radio, podcasts etc.

We also have several Roku devices around, and all are capable of streaming audio, but audio only streams sound horrid through a Roku. You Tube video through a Roku can sound very good depending on the quality of the upload.

I am a fan of internet radio. Just like growing up in a big city with so many varied stations waiting to be discovered. In fact I am listening to a 320mb stream from Swiss Audiophile Jazz as I type this..

 

2011
SB Touch, still going strong.
I am using a different remote now, a Fire 7- bigger screen for older eyes and better battery life

 

When you consider that streaming is still a relatively nascent concept (compared with physical media, amps, speakers, turntables etc) it's remarkable considering its age and the fact that it's still relevant all these years later. Logitech really were miles ahead of the game with this.

The only thing I don't like about it is that it (and its digital output) is permanently "on". I'd have liked a way to switch it off aside from unplugging it from the mains.

 

Indeed. I have a spare packed away.

 

Hast anyone tried the Project Stream Box Ultra S2? Can it be operated from the Tidal app on a phone?

 

Blu Sound Node 2 streaming flac files and Tidal.

 

Simple Minds Pandora

 

For my "secondary rig," I have a Sonos setup for streaming Qobuz. From router to a Sonos Port. Also, CDP is plugged into the same Sonos Port. Then from the Port to the receiver, and then to speakers (bookshelf Elacs). So, I can stream or play CDs via the Port.

I also have a couple of Sonos One SL speakers (SL for soundless - i.e., no microphones for Alexa spying) which I variously place about the house, depending on what I'm doing. The One SL units are powered and will pick up the sound from the Port, which is controlled from the Sonos desktop app. Those little speakers give great sound for their diminutive size. I say "secondary rig" because I have not listened even once to my main setup in many months. I hope it will still power on. #KeepHopeAlive

 

I am streaming Qobuz, Tidal, and local files through a Roon Nucleus into an Oppo UDP-205 via USB (DSD upsampling) or WiFi (24/192 upsampling or no upsampling). I then control the Nucleus either from an iPad, iPhone, or any computer that is in front of me--they all act as remotes. This works very well for me.

It allows me to use my main system to listen to current music and masterings available on streaming services to see if I like them well enough to purchase them. I then purchase a few a month. Ones that I wouldn't miss if the streaming services no longer offered live in my Roon library and blend seamlessly with the music I do own. There is a streaming radio feature for stations all over the world, but I don't utilize that feature at all. I do sometimes use the "radio" feature that builds playlists based on something that I recently played, but this is usually if I am in the yard, cleaning house, playing cards, etc.

I couldn't even fathom being a teenager with this type of access of high quality streams of music. It is a wonderful time to be a music junkie.

 

I've been streaming music for a really long time. My setup is centered around a NUC HTPC from which I access my music library on the NAS but I'm also using it to access Tidal, Deezer and Spotify. I also have there a Chromecast attached to one of the spare HDMI inputs of my receiver and a TEAC NT-503 network player which is used most of the time as a USB DAC but is also configured as a JRiver zone so I can stream music to the living room without bothering to switch on the plasma display or HTPC. The NT-503 can also work as a stand alone unit if I want to use the phone application (I really don't want to because of suck) so my main problem is that I have too many choices and options.



Lucky for me one of these will help with my decision taking process.

 

I've been streaming for around 10 years, I bought a Linn Majik DS which pulls FLACs from a NAS I have in another room. I'd like to upgrade it to an Akurate DSM but can't justify the outlay.

 

It's funny, but when i think bout this possibility, my first thought was one of having access to streaming technology back when I was a teenager. Obviously having nearly unlimited access to so much music would have been awesome. On the other hand, when I was a teenager, my family had just moved to a new town, and it was very small. I had to to travel 15 miles just to get to places that sold records. There was a certain beauty to budgeting a certain portion of my earnings from my jobs back then for the trips to obtain more albums. The act of combing through thousands of albums trying to figure out what was actually going to make the cut all while something new played through the shop's system while gagging on the scent of incense was about as close to a religious experience as I'd ever had at that point in time. In hindsight, it's freaking hilarious to think about my Mom hauling me, the young geeky me (as opposed to the old geeky me) around to various head shops so that I could buy music before I was old enough to drive.

Of course, the best part was was when I finally got the album(s) home to actually listen to it while closely inspecting whatever happened to be in the liner notes, admiring the cover art, etc.. For me back then the music was about more than just the music. The other thing of note at that time was that like so many others, a big part of my identity was wrapped up in and represented by my collection of LP's. Not that it was impressively large, but those albums that had made the cut, earning the right reside with the other "chosen ones" was reflective of me and what I thought was good, cool, actually worth sharing with others. Similarly, what I didn't have in my collection was also a statement of sorts. I'm not so sure that I can imagine giving all of that up. The other thing is, that now as an old guy it is likely that one of the reasons I am enjoying streaming music is precisely because I did not have access to such a thing for the majority of my life.

 

Surprised you have not yet had an answer.... I bought one a year ago after about a year of research and wouldn't exchange it for anything else quite frankly, I can stream (although not currently signed to anyone), play my vinyl collection, CD's, TV sound and internet radio via the MIND app on my phone, without a number of boxes and leads trailing everywhere, what else could you possibly want?? I am still on the shelf regarding streaming..I've tried Amazon HD, Tidal, Deezer, Quboz, 1 other I can't remember, but I still prefer a hard copy, I have it and can play it even when the streaming side drops out or for technical reasons simply won't work, but that's just my opinion...go listen to one and you will be impressed. I switch from on board DAC in my Arcam player to the DAC in the ACE and there are slight differences notable on some better recorded CD's.

 

As far as my streaming experience goes, I only really just entered into the fray earlier this month. Being incredibly fortunate to still have a job and one that has allowed me to work from home for a while now, the interruptions to my life have been minimal compared to so many others. So that combined with the fact that I was going to be spending so much time at home, I figured this would be the right time for me to finally take the leap. What was different about this purchase was that I did not take the abnormally large amount of time to research my options in great detail like I do with just about any other relatively significant purchase in my life that is of importance to me. Since I've been so incredibly happy with my Naim gear, I figured a Naim DAC would likely work out okay in my case. Instead of looking for an all-in-one solution, I was thinking that I might be better off separating the various areas of functionality. The reason for this was thinking about the possibility of a major shift in technology of some sort that might render an all-in-one approach useless as opposed to possibly just one box. That might be unrealistic on my part, but only time will tell I suppose

Anyway, as it turned out, my two favorite audio dealers in the Pacific Northwest each had a used Naim DAC available at the time (one had a nDAC while the other had a DAC V1) — it seemed like it was surely some sort of a sign to me (enough of a sign for me anyway). This was actually really important to me because I was limiting my choices to buying from one of these two places and could save some money with a second hand purchase. Still this purchase was also very much about supporting my favorite brick & mortar establishments at a time when they likely needed it. After a little contemplation, I ended up choosing the Naim DAC V1 for my external DAC. I also ended up a Sonos Port to get me started with my streaming needs for now as the Sonos rated highly for the ease of use of it's interface on the iPhone, iPad, etc.. It was also noted for an update that was/is made available to increase it's capabilities (which I have yet to look into). At some point the Port might likely move to another system elsewhere in my house, or be moved along to someone else. In due time I will try to figure out how exactly I want to handle my "end game" approach to streaming/ripping/serving in my main system. The only "known" at the moment is that whatever I end up with, it will ultimately be flowing through the DAC V1.

So far I have been enjoying myself tremendously, primarily because of all the new music I've been listening to (at a time when I otherwise would likely not be exploring any new music at all). To start out I've signed up for 3 months of Apple Music for free. I haven't even bothered to look into any of the high-res offering out there yet. All in due time. Ultimately my expectation is that my new digital front end will nicely compliment the rest of my system while opening myself up to more music than ever before. I've also been using the Apple Music account to stream music to the small system in my office by way of the NAD D3020 integrated amp. I can connect the iPhone to an Airport Express via AirPlay, letting the Airport Express serve as the DAC before passing the stream along to the D3020 via an optical cable, or I can connect the iPhone directly to the D3020 via Bluetooth, letting the DAC in the D3020 handle the conversion duties. I only started messing around with this over the past week and haven't really done much in the way of comparing these two configurations. No rush, either way provides me with a larger variety of options than before. I was previously either feeding low-res MP3 files to the NAD via a iPod, or I was feeding the NAD streaming radio broadcasts via the iPhone. While it took me a long time to get to the point of finally trying this all out, I can't say that I have any regrets. I already had a lot of music available to me via LPs, CDs and FM radio and was doing great. But expanding my musical horizons is never a bad thing in my mind anyway. For the, this isn't the be all end all solution. Rather it just gets lumped in with the rest of the lot that was already in place. It's all good in my case.

 

I tend to stream everything these days through the aurelic aries and then control the music via ipad
When i was demoing some hifi a couple of years ago the chap used this set up. I was totally hooked straight away, esp by the ipad set up and bought the system. I ripped all my cd to HDD and vinyl to dsd128(my best mate also shares his with me)
If only the aurelic system was available to control via android. I have the note ten plus and its not as heavy on the battery as the ipad.
I also have tidal masters through the aries.
My Pc is also part of the setup. so everything is integrated.
I still play actual cd's though
I forgot, as its not hifi, i have the alexa system through my house with four of those things. One looks like a tube of pringles, and three smart scones. I use them for the lights and radio. For music, its just background when i am piddling around. sound is ok for a tube of crisps but is low quality compared to hifi. then again theres a massive price difference.
Basically, the alexa system is a boys toy for me. its not actually much use in practice.

 

I had my Sonos Connect reclocked by the Dutch company Magna Hifi, and then I send the signal to the Hegel HD25 Dac and so to the Lavardin IT integrated amplifier.
Since more than five years I have been using the Spotify Premium, and lately I subscribed to Tidal due to their fantastic offer : 4 months Tidal HiFi for 4 euros.
Mostly I don’t hear much difference between the Spotify and the Tidal files, although Tidal offers cd quality and Spotify only 320 mbs. Maybe my ears have degraded (I’m nearing my 60th birthday). I think they both sound good, even excellent.
As a rather choosy lover of classical music and jazz, the Spotify catalogue is vastly superior to Tidal’s !

 

Nice to read. For me, the overriding aspect (as a teenager) was that I knew each of my (relatively few) LPs intimately. The track bands on the vinyl were often grayed-out from 'hard use.' It was easy, therefore, to learn the song lyrics and the order of the tracks. In contrast, the streaming experience gives me the opportunity to easily hear a great variety of music, but I don't do much repeat listening...too many rabbits to chase. 'Narrow but deep' vs. 'wide but shallow,' I suppose.

 

Plus several Squeezebox Radios and Raspberry Pi Squeezelite players.

 

Amen to that !!!