Currently using TV as streamer - Is that Sufficient for my Needs?

[agiletiger]

Until recently, I have never even considered having a streamer. We have been accessing streaming services via our TV or Apple TV. Now that I'm looking to upgrading my sound system, I am now considering how much should streaming capabilities factor into my upgrade plan.

Current State:

• Blu Ray, AppleTV, OTA, MacMini connected to our TV via HDMI -> TV connected to DAC via Optical -> DAC connected to integrated amp via RCAs -> Amp to Speaker via speaker cables
• MacMini also connected to DAC via USB, yadda yadda yadda...
• Utilize Airplay via TV

Upgrade scenarios:

• Passive - Move to a one box solution that replaces amp, DAC and adds subwoofer inputs, room correction and possibly streaming
• Active - Use existing Kali LP-6 that is currently being used in my basement and find a preamp that can tackle all of the above roles mentioned in the passive scenarios.

It seems like when trying to find a one box solution for either passive or active, I am losing out on a type of connection (USB or eARC) or streaming/Airplay capabilities.

Are there any disadvantages to continuing to use my TV for streaming and Airplay2 or does having a streamer, either as a separate component or embedded within the component(s) I'm considering, an important factor?

PS - MacMini is supposed to serve as a music and file server for me but in practice, that is not the case. That will be a separate post.

 

[Deleted member 43441]

For my needs, i’ve always found that I have enough options between my TV and a Roku, and or Apple TV, and everything gets tied to my preamp processor. That’s the heartbeat of any dedicated home theater in my opinion, the preamp or AVR. I continue to hang onto my nine-year-old preamp processor, and have not gone to 4K TV as of yet. right around the same time in 2013 and 2014 4K was just coming out and I opted for a Panasonic 1080 plasma TV which I still have.

Only you can answer how much do you need? How many streaming services do you need, how many different boxes do you need before it becomes A wiring nightmare. I have a wiring nightmare right now you don’t need that LOL.

 

[Snoopy]

Bluesound node n130. Streamer, airplay, and hdmi earc

 

[carvin]

Am in the same spot. Actually I just joined ASR as I will be setting up a new system which will be used for TV (no movies) and Spotify.