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Need recommendations for music streamer
- Thread starter ktm125
- Start date
If your DAC has a USB input (most do) and a WiFi connection to the internet, you could consider a used or refurbished iPhone 6se (or 7) with the camera lightning port adapter. The phones are avail from Walmart resellers for $60-$110 or so. The cable is ~$40. This is currently what I'm doing with my Tidal subscription.
Apesbrain
Addicted to Fun and Learning
If you're looking for "plug & play" and support for TIDAL Masters (MQA), this is the answer. To go above 24/96, your external DAC will need MQA support:
https://support1.bluesound.com/hc/en-us/articles/115006191908-Why-Isn-t-My-External-DAC-Playing-MQA-
AudioSceptic
Major Contributor
If the DAC has a USB input you could use a Raspberry Pi as the streamer. I doubt there's any networking ability that audio-specific streamers have that a Pi can't do just as well.
Midwest Blade
Senior Member
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- May 8, 2019
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Yamaha WXC-50
Nvidia Shield
- Thread Starter
- #9
Thanks! I've decided to use my PC instead of a streamer.
The PC sits about 20' from the DAC which has a USB input.
Is this length too long?
Any upgrades to PC required to use as streamer?
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helloworld
Active Member
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- Jul 10, 2018
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rasperberry pi
AudioSceptic
Major Contributor
It's a tiny (credit card size) SBC (single board computer). It includes all the hardware you need to run a music streamer, and can also be connected to a TV via HDMI.
A huge ecosystem had grown up around it so there are lots of options but try this for starters <https://archimago.blogspot.com/2017/03/howto-building-and-installing-raspberry.html>. I've done this myself quite recently, but without the screen. Please ask if you want more info.
A new, better, model has recently been launched so this is a good time to get one! <https://www.raspberrypi.org>.
Just use a decent (but not audiophool) usb cable from your pc to your dac, and that is all. Software depends on what you want to play. I use my study's desktop pc to play music into a usb dac, and I have two sources: TuneIn for internet radio and Spotify premium for music. These sources provide the necessary software, so nothing additional is required. Even a very basic pc will be fast enough.
If you find the cable awkward, I would repeat my suggestion for the Chromecast Audio using its optical digital output.
If you find the cable awkward, I would repeat my suggestion for the Chromecast Audio using its optical digital output.
- Thread Starter
- #13
thanks!
AudioSceptic
Major Contributor
The limit for USB is 5 m (~16 ft) unless you use a hub.
No upgrades are required for any recent computer, but you will need to choose an app to play the music. Is the music on the PC or a NAS? Are the PC and DAC in the same room, so you will be using the PC for other things while listening to music?
(Edited to make more sense, I hope!]
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- Thread Starter
- #15
Will be streaming thru Tidal or Qobuz.
DAC and PC in same room but 20' apart.
PC is for work and personnel use.
AudioSceptic
Major Contributor
I'm not sure about USB over that distance. You need a hub or repeater to go over 16' and I don't know how well they work with audio. Is there any way you can reduce the distance, such as longer interconnects from DAC to amp?
Edit: I might be worrying about nothing <http://archimago.blogspot.com/2013/04/measurements-usb-cables-for-dacs.html>
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- Thread Starter
- #17
thanks...seems if the USB cable works at my 20' length then it's good to go.
BillG
Major Contributor
In WASAPI Exclusive Mode, yes, if the bit depth and rate are the same as in the Sound properties. If not, it will do a resample to the set depth and rate - I'd not concern with it though as any artifacts from the process should be down so low in the noise floor as to be unhearable...
- Thread Starter
- #20
In WASAPI Exclusive Mode, yes, if the bit depth and rate are the same as in the Sound properties. If not, it will do a resample to the set depth and rate - I'd not concern with it though as any artifacts from the process should be down so low in the noise floor as to be unhearable...
Is that a setting in the PC or in the streaming service?
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