Best source to “ feed” a DAC for Amazon HD

[Russm535il]

Please forgive my ignorance I am 67 and have just really started listening to digital music and love it I have a Good DAC and system and use my Apple I phone 11 to stream Amazon HD to my MF V90 DAC via a USB connector.
Is there a better option for ultimate sound quality ? I do want to store music or rip cd’s I just want to listen to the playlists I have created
. I noticed MUCH better sound w my I phone than my basic Lenovo laptop so thought I would ask the question. I am retired so would like to keep the cost of any additional component to under $500 .
I am enjoying the content on the site Thank you for allowing me to join ! Russ Dejulio Pittsburgh PA

 

[voodooless]

If you don’t mind the phone being tethered, I’d say: keep it the way it is. Otherwise, some streamer might work so you can wirelessly steam
To your DAC. Raspberry Pi 4 is cheap and works well.

 

[raindance]

I think you asked me in another thread and I was busy, so sorry for the slow reply - Using the phone via USB sounds great for me too. For casual listening while I'm working, Bluetooth is good also. I use an Emotiva BTR-1 Bluetooth receiver and set my phone to use LDAC which sounds just a tad better than APTX which is the typical default.

 

[Russm535il]

I think you asked me in another thread and I was busy, so sorry for the slow reply - Using the phone via USB sounds great for me too. For casual listening while I'm working, Bluetooth is good also. I use an Emotiva BTR-1 Bluetooth receiver and set my phone to use LDAC which sounds just a tad better than APTX which is the typical default.

Thank you

 

[Russm535il]

If you don’t mind the phone being tethered, I’d say: keep it the way it is. Otherwise, some streamer might work so you can wirelessly steam
To your DAC. Raspberry Pi 4 is cheap and works well.

Thank you

 

[Bamyasi]

Please forgive my ignorance I am 67 and have just really started listening to digital music and love it I have a Good DAC and system and use my Apple I phone 11 to stream Amazon HD to my MF V90 DAC via a USB connector.
Is there a better option for ultimate sound quality ? I do want to store music or rip cd’s I just want to listen to the playlists I have created
. I noticed MUCH better sound w my I phone than my basic Lenovo laptop so thought I would ask the question. I am retired so would like to keep the cost of any additional component to under $500 .
I am enjoying the content on the site Thank you for allowing me to join ! Russ Dejulio Pittsburgh PA

I use Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K with audio extractor connected to my DAC via optical TOSlink cable. This is probably the cheapest solution ($50 Stick 4K + $40 HDMI audio extractor and you often can find good deals for even better price) and the SQ I find excellent. A bit awkward to use since you cannot control Firestick from a phone, you need to use TV screen and its own remote. Unfortunately, Amazon does not share their Amazon Music streaming API with third party developers, so the usual cheap and convenient streaming solutions like Raspberry Pi based DYI streamers do not work.

There is also Bluesound Node but it is a much more expensive streamer/DAC.

 

[Russm535il]

I use Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K with audio extractor connected to my DAC via optical TOSlink cable. This is probably the cheapest solution ($50 Stick 4K + $40 HDMI audio extractor and you often can find good deals for even better price) and the SQ I find excellent. A bit awkward to use since you cannot control Firestick from a phone, you need to use TV screen and its own remote. Unfortunately, Amazon does not share their Amazon Music streaming API with third party developers, so the usual cheap and convenient streaming solutions like Raspberry Pi based DYI streamers do not work.

There is also Bluesound Node but it is a much more expensive streamer/DAC.

Thank you Bam ! An interesting idea to try . We have a Fire stick Best Russ

 

[raistlin65]

Please forgive my ignorance I am 67 and have just really started listening to digital music and love it I have a Good DAC and system and use my Apple I phone 11 to stream Amazon HD to my MF V90 DAC via a USB connector.
Is there a better option for ultimate sound quality ?

Your V90 is a very good DAC
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...easurements-of-musical-fidelity-v90-dac.3787/

I don't see how you can do better.

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

With your iPhone you're limited to 24/96 (I think), if that matters to you.

Through your laptop it should sound at least as good, if not better than your phone.

Possibly a daft question, do you know to use the app rather than the browser, and to switch to Exclusive Mode on the laptop?

Best wishes.

 

[RickS]

Welcome to ASR!

I am very pleased with the Echo Link. It is a bit pricey at $199, but can be used with an Echo for voice control or via the Amazon app for IOS. It is my front end to a SMSL m200 via optical.

 

[Taddpole]

Welcome to ASR!

I am very pleased with the Echo Link. It is a bit pricey at $199, but can be used with an Echo for voice control or via the Amazon app for IOS. It is my front end to a SMSL m200 via optical.

From what I've read though it limits output to 16/48

 

[RickS]

From what I've read though it limits output to 16/48

well it just does not sound as good now that I know that!

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

The Fire Cube and the latest Fire TV stick will output 192/24 over HDMI.

I’d be interested to see this tested.

I’d be even more interested to see USB out enabled.

 

[Jazz]

With your iPhone you're limited to 24/96 (I think), if that matters to you.

Incorrect. If you stream to PCM via Lighting to a DAC, the recorded source is the limit.

 

[Jazz]

Welcome to ASR!

I am very pleased with the Echo Link. It is a bit pricey at $199, but can be used with an Echo for voice control or via the Amazon app for IOS. It is my front end to a SMSL m200 via optical.

The Echo Link is a fine option. They go on sale during Amazon Prime Day (coming up soon!) and in the Fall. I tried one twice but, in the end, I just preferred sending audio to a little bit better DAC. If you have a DAC you like, the Link will not really give you much in that regard. It uses a Cirrus Logic, commonly found in decent to excellent AVRs. The main advantage to the Link is it can play music like an Echo, but to your stereo. However, you need at least one Echo to be the microphone, so to speak, for it. It has not mic and no speakers. Which, in actual practice is perfectly fine.
I also tested it using all three outputs using Amazon Music HD. Coax to my DAC was best. Very close second was Toslink to DAC. OK, in those cases it was just passing strait PCM to my DAC. So the real comparison was its DAC out VIA RCA to my amp. At high volume it was very very fine. Great for all but the most discerning who burn money on crazy expensive systems. But at lower volume, it kind of gets meek. I mostly listen at lower volume and I prefer a DAC to have more picante. Also, since I had to use my DAC for that lower volume flavor boost well, the rest of the Link I did not really need! Plus, I just do not like the Amazon Music UI. So when Amazon Music trial ended, it all went back.
But, if you have no external DAC, and want an old stereo amp to work with the streaming services on Alexa system by voice, it is still a very good choice. Especially for families and with an all Alexa house.
One thing it does that you should not do is combine it with other Echo speakers in a group. It is a mess. Keep it seperate.
One downside to the Link is that silly volume control is a PITA. Some people get so messed up from it, they prematurely return the Link or Link Amp. The trick with it is to be sure it is turned up all the way and basically never touch it! Yes, sadly, all audio goes through it too. :-(

 

[RickS]

The Echo Link is a fine option. They go on sale during Amazon Prime Day (coming up soon!) and in the Fall. I tried one twice but, in the end, I just preferred sending audio to a little bit better DAC. If you have a DAC you like, the Link will not really give you much in that regard. It uses a Cirrus Logic, commonly found in decent to excellent AVRs. The main advantage to the Link is it can play music like an Echo, but to your stereo. However, you need at least one Echo to be the microphone, so to speak, for it. It has not mic and no speakers. Which, in actual practice is perfectly fine.
I also tested it using all three outputs using Amazon Music HD. Coax to my DAC was best. Very close second was Toslink to DAC. OK, in those cases it was just passing strait PCM to my DAC. So the real comparison was its DAC out VIA RCA to my amp. At high volume it was very very fine. Great for all but the most discerning who burn money on crazy expensive systems. But at lower volume, it kind of gets meek. I mostly listen at lower volume and I prefer a DAC to have more picante. Also, since I had to use my DAC for that lower volume flavor boost well, the rest of the Link I did not really need! Plus, I just do not like the Amazon Music UI. So when Amazon Music trial ended, it all went back.
But, if you have no external DAC, and want an old stereo amp to work with the streaming services on Alexa system by voice, it is still a very good choice. Especially for families and with an all Alexa house.
One thing it does that you should not do is combine it with other Echo speakers in a group. It is a mess. Keep it seperate.
One downside to the Link is that silly volume control is a PITA. Some people get so messed up from it, they prematurely return the Link or Link Amp. The trick with it is to be sure it is turned up all the way and basically never touch it! Yes, sadly, all audio goes through it too. :-(

Thanks for sharing! I will tack on a couple more...

1. The Echo Link replaced my macbook. The macbook was fine but is older and fans would kick on. Not much point in pursuing low noise in your audio chain if the source cooling noise is going to far exceed it!
2. In my case, the SMSL m200 DAC bridges nicely from the Link to my Hypex amp using balanced connection.

Now that I have some Quantasylum equipment, should measure the Link. Right now, it is lower priority than several other projects I have going.

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

Incorrect. If you stream to PCM via Lighting to a DAC, the recorded source is the limit.

Are you sure?

 

[Russm535il]

With your iPhone you're limited to 24/96 (I think), if that matters to you.

Through your laptop it should sound at least as good, if not better than your phone.

Possibly a daft question, do you know to use the app rather than the browser, and to switch to Exclusive Mode on the laptop?

Best wishes.

YM I have no idea how to do that !! I will ask my 31 year old son ! Thank you for your recommendation Russ

 

[Russm535il]

Welcome to ASR!

I am very pleased with the Echo Link. It is a bit pricey at $199, but can be used with an Echo for voice control or via the Amazon app for IOS. It is my front end to a SMSL m200 via optical.

Thank you !

 

[Beershaun]

Thank you Bam ! An interesting idea to try . We have a Fire stick Best Russ

Welcome Russ. I will apologize ahead of time for the frustrations that all the tech companies have put in front of audio enthusiasts to do something that should be simple and intuitive.

Your iphone setup will likely be your most convenient option that will sound great. You already having it working which is great.

the Firestick would allow you to have a nice TV screen and remote control to lean back and listen. The complication is using HDMI to send audio. due to all the copy protection requirements of sending anything out of HDMI video devices it doesn't sound as good. Try it to see what you think.

If you use the Firestick you will need to follow these instructions to change these settings on the Fire Stick AND the Amazon Music App.

Music App instructions:
https://www.aftvnews.com/fire-tv-sticks-now-support-amazon-music-hd-streams-at-24-bits-192-khz/

FireTV stick requirements and instructions:
You'll need to go to the settings menu and adjust the audio output settings. Either set to "auto", or set to "PCM", or set to "Stereo." depending on what ends up working for you to get the signal out in 24bit.

Again, I apologize for the companies making these mobile and streaming operating systems for making it more complicated than it has to be for all of us.