How can I make a Music streamer work with my setup?

[Pancreas]

Equipment:
- Motu ultralite mk5
- Genelec 8030c

I have my interface always on, as I don't like power it on and off. The Genelec have standby mode.

My interest in using a streamer, is so I can listen to Apple music on my bed or anywhere in my room, without having to turn on my computer and fire up Itunes or the Apple music windows app

I want to be able to pick and next songs from my phone while lying on bed. (Comes in handy if a lady ever visits and you want to set the mood in a few seconds)

As I understand, most music streamers have DACs and they can be connected to an audio interface via optical, thus bypassing the streamer DAC.

My situation is that I have my ps5 USB connected to SMS PO100 PRO and that connected to my audio interface via optical. Doing this, I'm "bypassing" the SMS PO100 (I guess?) and able to listen my ps5 sound with full glory through my speakers and Motu interface

So, the optical IN on my interface is already occupied.

There are some music streamers that have XLR outputs. Alternatively, are there any streamers without DAC?

Would using an optical splitter work or it would reduce the quality of sound?

The Motu also has SPDIF in and out, but the port is different from the optical ports

I'm saving the SPDIF in for a future guitar amp modeler like Axe FX 3, which is also an interface, by connecting it via SPDIF, is digital and you avoid the conversion

 

[Waxx]

You can connect it to an analog input, but that is not ideal. You will need an device with more digital input (be it coax or optical) to connect all at once. A spittler won't work, a digital switchbox can work, but also costs money. Something like this could do the job (but i don't know the quality of the device).

Optical Toslink Switch Selector 4 Inputs to 2 Outputs - Audiophonics

This Toslink Optical Switch integrates 4 inputs and 2 outputs. The selection of the outputs is very simple thanks to the button on the front panel or via the supplied remote control.

www.audiophonics.fr

 

[Pancreas]

You can connect it to an analog input, but that is not ideal. You will need an device with more digital input (be it coax or optical) to connect all at once. A spittler won't work, a digital switchbox can work, but also costs money. Something like this could do the job (but i don't know the quality of the device).

Optical Toslink Switch Selector 4 Inputs to 2 Outputs - Audiophonics

This Toslink Optical Switch integrates 4 inputs and 2 outputs. The selection of the outputs is very simple thanks to the button on the front panel or via the supplied remote control.

www.audiophonics.fr

What if I do something else for my ps5?

I would also experience lower quality there too?

Regarding if you s USB or HDMI extractor, it doesn’t matter as is going to have to connect via optical regardless.

The SMS po100 pro has coaxial out but I don’t know how that would work with my interface.

I would rather not suffer loss of quality on my ps5

@staticV3 Any ideas?

 

[Pancreas]

The switcher would be annoying as it wouldn't be automatic, you would still have to switch opticals with a button or remote control that blows.

The ps5 sound quality matters more to me, so I don't know.

You could connect with RCA to TS cables, but then is unbalanced

There is no coaxial digital to 1/4 TRS cables lol

Another option is to just connect coaxial out to my SPDIF coaxial in and do something else for a future guitar amp modeler, although spdif is the best way to connect an amp modeler to an interface, so you don't do double conversion

thats the problem with wanting to do everything with the same set of speakers lol

cant even connect it via USB as my interface is connected to my PC

 

[Pancreas]

Another option is to get a streamer with speakers and forget about using my Genelec

Cambridge Audio Evo One All-in-One Wireless Streaming Speaker

Contemporary Elegance: Stunning design, seamless functionalityRoom-Filling Sound: 14 speakers deliver 700W of breathtaking clarity and deep, controlled bassStream Your Music: Play wirelessly from Spotify, TIDAL, Deezer, Qobuz, Internet Radio and moreHi-Res Audio: Supports up to 32-bit 192kHzHome...

www.cambridgeaudio.com

 

[gfinlays]

The switcher would be annoying as it wouldn't be automatic, you would still have to switch opticals with a button or remote control that blows.

This one is automatic. I bought one and use it to switch between an optical from the TV and coax from a RPi Roon endpoint feeding into the coax input of the Ultralite Mk5. Works a treat. You can fine tune some of the settings from a PC connected to the USB port with the downloadable utility and driver.

Automatic SPDIF (Optical/RCA) Audio Switch by Beni_Skate on Tindie

Automatic Optical/RCA SPDIF Audio Switch with Optical/RCA SPDIF Output and additional high quality Audio DAC

www.tindie.com

Very favourably reviewed by Matthias Carstens of RME:

Recommended Optical Switch to use with ADI-2 DAC (Page 1) — ADI-2 & 2/4 Pro series, ADI-2 DAC series — RME User Forum

Recommended Optical Switch to use with ADI-2 DAC (Page 1) — ADI-2 & 2/4 Pro series, ADI-2 DAC series — RME User Forum —

forum.rme-audio.de

 

[Pancreas]

This one is automatic. I bought one and use it to switch between an optical from the TV and coax from a RPi Roon endpoint feeding into the coax input of the Ultralite Mk5. Works a treat. You can fine tune some of the settings from a PC connected to the USB port with the downloadable utility and driver.

Automatic SPDIF (Optical/RCA) Audio Switch by Beni_Skate on Tindie

Automatic Optical/RCA SPDIF Audio Switch with Optical/RCA SPDIF Output and additional high quality Audio DAC

www.tindie.com

Very favourably reviewed by Matthias Carstens of RME:

Recommended Optical Switch to use with ADI-2 DAC (Page 1) — ADI-2 & 2/4 Pro series, ADI-2 DAC series — RME User Forum

Recommended Optical Switch to use with ADI-2 DAC (Page 1) — ADI-2 & 2/4 Pro series, ADI-2 DAC series — RME User Forum —

forum.rme-audio.de

what if both are turned on, what happens then?

How would this work? Basically I connect from this device output to my audio interface optical input?

Is it better to choose the non DAC or DAC option with this? Since I would be bypassing the DAC, maybe is better NO dac to avoid potential issues?

So I connect this device output to interface optical input, then I connect my devices to this device's inputs

I just read this

"Optical/SPDIF Audio Switch with automatic input detection (it will automatically switch to the input where a signal is coming - if there is a signal on 2 or more inputs the inputs are prioritized - it will always prefer input 1 before input 2 and so on)"

 

[gfinlays]

what if both are turned on, what happens then?

The inputs are also prioritised.

How would this work? Basically I connect from this device output to my audio interface optical input?

Yes.

Is it better to choose the non DAC or DAC option with this? Since I would be bypassing the DAC, maybe is better NO dac to avoid potential issues?

I'd went with the non-DAC option. The Motu has very capable DACs built-in. There would be no issues with the DAC option, but why pay for something you don't need.

So I connect this device output to interface optical input, then I connect my devices to this device's inputs

Yes.