Audio streamer suggestions please...

[Filterlab]

Currently my entire music collection (ripped from CDs) is on my MacBook Pro. I stream it directly from there via my DSD USB to Coax converter into my DAC. Sounds absolutely stunning!

But I want to be able to free up the MacBook as I do countless other things with it, and having it connected to the DAC isn't always handy. So I need a streamer.

Requirements are...

1. It can read a music library from an internal drive or external drive/flash storage.

2. It has an app from which I can control playback.

3. USB or coaxial output.

4. DAC not required.

5. Not Raspberry Pi - I can't be bothered with one of those. :)

Suggest something please as the web is filled with a bewildering amount of product.

[Sherwood]

Budget?

[JohnJo]

The little Innuos is very good

https://innuos.com/zen_mini_mk3/

https://audiot.co.uk/p-26882-innuos-zen-mini-mk3-music-server-innuos-audio-t.aspx

[Filterlab]

Budget?

At the moment, about £350. It's literally only got to provide a digital signal so doesn't need to be a £64,000 dCS.

It will be for casual rather than critical listening.

[Filterlab]

The little Innuos is very good

https://innuos.com/zen_mini_mk3/

https://audiot.co.uk/p-26882-innuos-zen-mini-mk3-music-server-innuos-audio-t.aspx

Looks lovely! Maybe a bit later this year, touch out of my budget currently. House move and all. :(

[Bencat]

There are a couple of suggestions which you could look at

https://wiimhome.com/Overview

Above is quite basic but reading through (a brief skim only by me) it should do most if not all that you are asking .

Then a Bluesound Node 2 should be available used for about £350

You may also get a few others around that level but you would need to have a look for yourself . Marantz , Denon , Pioneer all made similar units and these go for about £200 used possibly even less .

[Filterlab]

Thanks kindly. The Wiim doesn't have storage playback or digital output, but I'll dig through the other manufacturers you mentioned.

I did stumble across the Yamaha WXC-50. They seem to go for around £200 which is good. That'll do me for now I reckon.

[Stryder5]

I use a WXC-50, no complaints whatsoever and great value.

Gary

[dave2010]

As you have an MBP, why not replace that (say) with a SH Mac Mini? Would be quite easy to move all your music files over.

May not be what you want to do - but it is one solution. However note that some of the earlier Mac Minis don't necessarily work well with streaming services - so if you want those as well as your own collection that might not be a way to go.

[Filterlab]

I had considered the Mac mini as I've used several before (and I own a Mac consultancy for a living - I can do things with Macs that most people can't even dream about), but I'm not the only one who'll be using it, and I don't want to tie up the tele.

A straightforward all-in-one-box is what I'm really after.

Aside from the WXC-50, I saw the Pioneer N50a, but they're a bit tricky to find used - plenty of the N50 variant of course.

I think it may be the WXC-50. Hopefully they've improved the Musiccast app. :lol: I set one up a couple of years ago for a client and was not impressed with the app, although the Yamaha itself was very good. I think she had the WXA-50 which I'm guessing is pretty much the same bar the power amplifier.

[struth]

i used a mini laptop. hp zbook. it worked very well but i rarely use it now as im just using cans and moved the roon stuff to my bigger zbook.(i like zbooks lol) buy them second hand tho as they are pricy. trouble with most units is they do need a screen to see what your doing.. so maybe a little monitor for the apple:)?? good think about a laptop is it comes with a screen. and can fold away neatly.

[Sherwood]

Ifi Stream

I have one and it is excellent. Currently available for £359

If you don't have a DAC a cheapo from Topping or SMSL will suffice.


https://www.audioaffair.co.uk/ifi-audio-zen-stream-streamer?gclid=CjwKCAjw6fyXBhBgEiwAhhiZsir7WT4b84I XKkirBH2-CXPLVOo1gFZftmDXCINl21aRa62eFkhWoRoC7zEQAvD_BwE


At the moment, about £350. It's literally only got to provide a digital signal so doesn't need to be a £64,000 dCS.

It will be for casual rather than critical listening.

[mr sneff]

Thanks kindly. The Wiim doesn't have storage playback or digital output, but I'll dig through the other manufacturers you mentioned.

I did stumble across the Yamaha WXC-50. They seem to go for around £200 which is good. That'll do me for now I reckon.

The Wiim does have optical out, and it's very good.

[George47]

iFi Stream is a great sounding streamer and just a shade above your budget but shop around.

[Sherwood]

£9 !!!!!


iFi Stream is a great sounding streamer and just a shade above your budget but shop around.

[MisterKevster]

Sounds like a thread I might 'piggy-back' ride!!

Currently use a HTPC to deliver audio (via USB to a Topping E30...which is great!)...but thinking now of a dedicated player....to get audio ‘away’ from my PC.
Not interested in streaming services of any kind...audio collection stored 100% on hard drives.
Also....not looking to subscribe (pay!!) for any ‘library’ type services....like Roon.

What might I be looking at here.....some initial pointers would be appreciated......??

[Filterlab]

I'll have a look at the iFi Stream. Thanks.

Yes, I definitely have a DAC. :lol:


The Wiim does have optical out, and it's very good.

Sadly I need USB or Coax as my optical input is already in use.

[Colin2040]

Like Kev I am more interested in using a cd storage type mechanism so I have and will be collecting a Zen mini with power supply tomorrow. Part of my road trip to visit HiFi shop.Wife’s delighted. However much as the initial post mention no Raspberry pi I have used a pi in the aluminium case for last 9 months and it’s been great . Very reasonable option as well
Colin

[Lawrence001]

I'll be selling one of my Liv Zens soon (early Innuos). As they are no longer supported for the latest Innuos software I have upgraded then to the latest Vortexbox software and they work very well for ripping, storing and playing files (2Tb hard drive) plus DLNA for NAS storage (I believe, not tried it myself) and streaming plus apps like BBC Sounds, Tune in radio etc.

[ianlenco]

I use an Auralic Aries Mini which pop up occasionally on ebay. It's an easy job to fit an internal SSD disc and can be controlled using the Auralic software via iPad and other Mac devices. It has an internal DAC or can output to an external one. Sound quality is very good.

[Filterlab]

Thanks for all the suggestions chaps, some really interesting kit there.

I've solved the requirement for now (restarted my Spotify subscription - my TV has the app). That'll do for casual listening for now, and everyone in the house can use it without fiddling with apps, hardware and an array of kit. :D

[Sherwood]

I also have the Spotify app on my LG smart tv which is connected (optical cable) to my living room system. Whilst it is functional it falls quite a long way short of Spotify played through the same system using my iFi Stream.


Thanks for all the suggestions chaps, some really interesting kit there.

I've solved the requirement for now (restarted my Spotify subscription - my TV has the app). That'll do for casual listening for now, and everyone in the house can use it without fiddling with apps, hardware and an array of kit. :D

[Edward]

Thanks for all the suggestions chaps, some really interesting kit there.

I've solved the requirement for now (restarted my Spotify subscription - my TV has the app). That'll do for casual listening for now, and everyone in the house can use it without fiddling with apps, hardware and an array of kit. :D

Did you give up on playing all the CDs you ripped to files Rob?

[Filterlab]

Yep. There'll be no critical listening for a year or two anyway, so I'll just use Spotify. I can alway connect the MacBook if I need to.

[rep]

You could look at one of these :
https://www.amazon.co.uk/WiiM-Mini-Multi-room-Compatible-TuneInRadio-Black/product-reviews/B09QCVVLN8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_viewopt_srt?ie=UTF8&reviewerType=all_reviews&sortBy=recent&pageNumber=1
Only £89 so no risk involved

[eldarvanyar]

I know I’m late to the discussion but what about an Apple TV Box? They are not that expensive compared to other things.

Also what about a NAS, they are relatively cheap now then you can store all your music and access it from anywhere.