View Full Version : Advice/Opinions sought - DAC/Streamer choice
Thought I'd trawl the vast knowledge & experience of the assembled members, for ideas and advice (pretty please!)
I'm pretty new to streaming and want to gain access to my slowly growing FLAC repository on the PC and one of the quality services (Tidal, Amazon, Spotify), plus internet radio that I often listen to.
Anyway, having trawled AOS and YouTube (Darko and others) I have (to date) come up with three "solutions" and I'm never going to be able to do any comparison before buying.
I am cost conscious (tight, some would say!) so I'm erring to the budget end, but clearly understand there maybe big benefits from not necessarily a huge budget increase.
Please tell me if there are other/better options within similar budgets, plus point out any mistakes I'm about to make.
I'm after Pre/DAC/Streamer solution to feed existing power amp & speakers, I like the idea of MQA but not sure I'd pay for the Premium subscription (should I make sure I do?)
Option 1 Pro-ject S2 DAC & S2 Streamer (£450)
Option 2 Marantz NA6006 (£300)
Option 3. Raspberry Pi 3B+ & Hiberry DAC + (£100)
As I'm Monitor Audio fan I like musicality over ultimate clarity, I would expect the Marantz to work well and would be a user-friendly one box solution.
The DIY appeal of the RPi appeals to me, as well as cost savings, but would be harder for my wife to accommodate, but IF (big one) it will perform close to the Marantz then maybe work is required here.
The Pro-ject I'm sure is good value, but would really stretch me financially, so I'd like to be sure it would deliver significantly more than the Marantz.
For info I currently use a NAD C340 amp to Kef Coda 7, but will soon swap the speakers to Monitor Audio R700Gold that are currently in Brittany.
Hope this isn't a "how long is a piece of string" question, happy to have any suggestions and ideas.
Sent from my motorola one using Tapatalk
I use a quad vena 2. Good dac and overall a good amp. I use mine as a pre. They do a streaming version too. Will be over your budget but it's a good setup.
Sure the project will be OK. I've their ds2 phono stage
Maybe needs moved out of beresford tho unless it's only beresford your after
Maybe needs moved out of beresford tho unless it's only beresford your afterApologies, my first post, could an Admin please move to the most suitable forum
Sent from my motorola one using Tapatalk
Hopefully it's now in right place
Lawrence001
13-03-2020, 00:54
I'm using a pi with better external dac (MDac in my case), I'd recommend an RPi with a Topping, or similar USB dac with its own power supply. Costs a bit more than the cheapest option but might sound better than all of them.
Stryder5
13-03-2020, 08:23
https://www.richersounds.com/brands/musiccast/yamaha-network-stereo-pre-amplifier.html
This may fit the bill too.
I’ve just started using MusicCast and very impressed, multi room capability as well.
Gary
https://www.richersounds.com/brands/musiccast/yamaha-network-stereo-pre-amplifier.html
This may fit the bill too.
I’ve just started using MusicCast and very impressed, multi room capability as well.
GaryThanks Gary seems similar in functionality and options to the Marantz.
I've read some negative comments about the Musicast App against the HEOS in the Marantz and I'm also attracted to the display the Marantz offers, but good to have another option.
What I'd really like to understand is where, sonically these mainstream brand streamers sit against the RPi + DAC Hat options - anyone have any ideas please?
Sent from my motorola one using Tapatalk
With streaming, I would emphasis how important the software is. To be honest, I think it's the key factor that is going to determine whether you enjoy the streaming experience or not. It is probably why Roon is making such headway. Also it is worth considering how you intend interacting with the streamer:
From a laptop browser - For this the Raspberry Pi interfaces are actually as good as anything. They are easy to use and work well. The hard(ish) part of the Raspberry Pi solutions is setting them up. Once set up, they are as easy to use as any other solution - especially if you are happy to access them via a computer browser.
From a phone/tablet - For this type of access the quality of the app is key, and it's what systems like Yamaha's MultiCast, and Bluesounds' BluOS bring to the party. For me, it was the death-nail for my Marantz NA-7004 - the software for which was just crap. For many streamers you can use BubbleUPNP (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bubblesoft.android.bubbleupnp&hl=en_GB) which is good, but not quite as good as some of the dedicated solutions can be.
From the player front panel - To be honest, I've not had a system that's done this well. The Logitech Squeezebox Touch is probably the best know attempt to provide this (I've not used one myself), but most systems designers seem to have accepted that using a phone/tablet as the main interface is a lot easier. Nowadays - I think front panels should be consider a secondary input (useful for displaying information about the currently track and basic operations like stop and start play).
Another important question is whether you only want to stream in one place at a time, or to multiple places around the house. This is what the dedicated streamer/speaker solutions like Yamaha's Multicast bring. It's very difficult to do with Raspberry Pi and BubbleUPNP type solutions.
My main streamer is a Moon Mind 180 that for me is the perfect combination of nice to use software interface with very good quality sound, and this is connected to my main Hi-Fi. I have a backup of using BubbleUPNP directly to my Melco (which is my main storage device). I also use BubbleUPNP to stream to some of the devices I have around the house (Roberts radios mainly) which works fine, but only one device at a time. I also have some uPNP software on my laptops and PCs that allow me to stream music via them. The main thing I can't do at the moment is stream simultaneously to many endpoints, which means I am considered something like the Yamaha WXC50
With streaming, I would emphasis how important the software is. To be honest, I think it's the key factor that is going to determine whether you enjoy the streaming experience or not. It is probably why Roon is making such headway. Also it is worth considering how you intend interacting with the streamer:
From a laptop browser - For this the Raspberry Pi interfaces are actually as good as anything. They are easy to use and work well. The hard(ish) part of the Raspberry Pi solutions is setting them up. Once set up, they are as easy to use as any other solution - especially if you are happy to access them via a computer browser.
From a phone/tablet - For this type of access the quality of the app is key, and it's what systems like Yamaha's MultiCast, and Bluesounds' BluOS bring to the party. For me, it was the death-nail for my Marantz NA-7004 - the software for which was just crap. For many streamers you can use BubbleUPNP (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bubblesoft.android.bubbleupnp&hl=en_GB) which is good, but not quite as good as some of the dedicated solutions can be.
From the player front panel - To be honest, I've not had a system that's done this well. The Logitech Squeezebox Touch is probably the best know attempt to provide this (I've not used one myself), but most systems designers seem to have accepted that using a phone/tablet as the main interface is a lot easier. Nowadays - I think front panels should be consider a secondary input (useful for displaying information about the currently track and basic operations like stop and start play).
Another important question is whether you only want to stream in one place at a time, or to multiple places around the house. This is what the dedicated streamer/speaker solutions like Yamaha's Multicast bring. It's very difficult to do with Raspberry Pi and BubbleUPNP type solutions.
My main streamer is a Moon Mind 180 that for me is the perfect combination of nice to use software interface with very good quality sound, and this is connected to my main Hi-Fi. I have a backup of using BubbleUPNP directly to my Melco (which is my main storage device). I also use BubbleUPNP to stream to some of the devices I have around the house (Roberts radios mainly) which works fine, but only one device at a time. I also have some uPNP software on my laptops and PCs that allow me to stream music via them. The main thing I can't do at the moment is stream simultaneously to many endpoints, which means I am considered something like the Yamaha WXC50Thanks for the valuable information, I don't have any multiroom requirement so that added functionality isn't a significant factor.
Sent from my motorola one using Tapatalk
I should add regarding my comments about the software associated with the Marantz NA-7004. That was one of their first streaming solutions Marantz offered and at that time the software was very poor. The browser interface could have been written by a fourteen year old. I have not used the current Marantz software (the new software would working with the NA-7004), and I can well believe that it has greatly improved.
roon does multi endpoint
I think if I was starting from scratch now, Roon would probably be the way I'd go.
This is interesting - something else to consider
https://youtu.be/zSYyudGfX6E
Stryder5
13-03-2020, 12:08
The MusicCast software works faultlessly for me, no issues, I guess people only report failures, not commendations.
Oh, and it’s very easy to get up and running.
I agree it’s the software that makes or breaks a system.
Gary
Hi Martyn
I have a Pi + IQ Audio knocking about with nothing to do. If you wanted to try it out (no cost) drop me a line and I'll pop it in the post to you. You'll just need a 5v PSU to power it up (I might have one somewhere but I tend to use Linear PSUs). It'd give you an opportunity to see whether the pi approach is suitable from a usability perspective, as the process is essentially the same for any Hiberry/Allo etc type solution.
Simon
Hi Martyn
I have a Pi + IQ Audio knocking about with nothing to do. If you wanted to try it out (no cost) drop me a line and I'll pop it in the post to you. You'll just need a 5v PSU to power it up (I might have one somewhere but I tend to use Linear PSUs). It'd give you an opportunity to see whether the pi approach is suitable from a usability perspective, as the process is essentially the same for any Hiberry/Allo etc type solution.
SimonSimon,
That's an amazingly generous offer, guessing I'd be an idiot to reject it.
As I'm away on Sunday for a week (France) there's certainly no rush, if you message me bank details I'll pay the postage.
Many many thanks
Martyn
Sent from my motorola one using Tapatalk
No problem Martyn. Little acts of kindness make everyone feel good. I've got your PM and will pop it in the post today.
Simon
Simon,
That's an amazingly generous offer, guessing I'd be an idiot to reject it.
As I'm away on Sunday for a week (France) there's certainly no rush, if you message me bank details I'll pay the postage.
Many many thanks
Martyn
Sent from my motorola one using TapatalkGood luck getting home [emoji23]
OK made it back safely and thanks to amazing generosity of another forum member I'm now an RPi officienado.
I will shortly pull the plug in an RPi with Digi HAT, I'd appreciate any opinions on the two HATs I'm about to choose between for my initial foray.
Just Boom Digi HAT
or
IQ AudIO Pi-Digi +
Both £30 and appear to my untrained eye to have pretty much identical specs, guess at this low-end price they'll perform identically, but thought I'd ask in case I'm missing something?
There's more coverage on the Just Boom, but I'd probably buy British if all else is equal?
Thanks in advance for any thoughts.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200325/bf55ed744312c24181463c54aa0e7abc.jpg
Sent from my motorola one using Tapatalk
IQ AudIOhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200325/132bbbbca48308c26ae3885146481e75.jpg
Sent from my motorola one using Tapatalk
Colin2040
18-04-2020, 14:00
Sorry to jump on the tail of this earlier posting. Similar to the poster I was thinking of using a chrome cast audio to stream from my Mac to the preamp.(built in dac) Firstly i know they are still available but support from google was stopped. The question is would this still be reasonable idea ? and would it operate ok.
Colin
Hi Colin. I’m still using my Chromecast, into a Beresford SEG. All you need is the mini toslink cable for the connection👍
IQ AudIOhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200325/132bbbbca48308c26ae3885146481e75.jpg
Sent from my motorola one using Tapatalk
At that price point perhaps consider the Hifiberry
https://www.hifiberry.com/shop/boards/hifiberry-digi-pro/
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.3 Copyright © 2026 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.