Streamer versus Computer?

[TheWalkman]

It doesn't get more efficient than a Pi. But a streamer box will be not far away. And far away from that PC.

I hope you don't use a beefy class AB amp and opted for class D. That is also a big difference in power consumption.

Actually, I’m using an Audiophonics HP-S400 (Purifi, Class D) amp via a Topping preamp. I use the 12V trigger on the preamp to power up the amp. I also have a Sangean HDT-20 HD tuner running through the preamp as well as a source.

I love the set-up and it sounds great.

I haven’t hooked my Killowatt power meter up to it in a while - perhaps this is my excuse to do so- but I think the power draw when in standby mode is minimal.

 

[TheWalkman]

Streamer.

Though both work, arguably, equally well, my primary streamer is a Pi Zero 2W based jewel that runs Volumio 7x24x365 for 3 +/- years now. It draws 0.7 - 2W compared to a PC that can easily draw 10 to 50 or more times that amount of power.

The Pi does everything I need and knowing it’s a bit more environmentally friendly than running an old PC puts a bigger smile on my face than the alternatives. (Of course, I like to ride my bike and my daily driver is a four cylinder that gets over 40 mpg when I take a trip to the grocery store for that gallon of milk. Thanks, too, to the foolishness we’re living thru now, having a 12.5 gallon tank on said car with a 400+ mile range really puts a smile on my face at the gas station compared to the guy at the next pump, who takes out a second mortgage every time he fills the tank on his Chevy Suburban Land Yacht. Different discussion.)

We all leave a mark on this Earth and though individually our footprint may be relatively small, when multiplied by tens of thousands or millions, it makes a difference. In the back of my mind, perhaps my little Pi streamer is the audio equivalent of the butterfly’s wings that ultimately influences weather events.

My $0.02.

I’ve posted this elsewhere but here’s a pic of several of my current streamers:

 

[popej]

I’ve posted this elsewhere but here’s a pic of several of my current streamers:

View attachment 519060

I had one too
Supply from AVR USB, digital output through HDMI.

I like RPi with Moode, but for local streaming I prefer Kodi (Coreelec or Android TV) with Yatse remote. No problem with multichannel audio.

 

[Gorgonzola]

I don't understand the thread

I think the source is critical to the discussion here.

I use a Chromecast puck to my Dac. I stream from whatever device is nearby for my YTM subscription.
The Dac gets digital out from the puck.

Is this thread about using a computer as a analogue output directly to an amp?
Why would you even do that?

#confused.

You Chromecast puck/dongle qualifies as dedicated streamer so I'd call you on the streamer bandwagon.

I have Win 11 Pro mini PC that I use in a dedicated manner for music. It connects via SMB to my Synology NAS where my music files are stored; my music player is Foobar2000 whose output via USB drives my Topping DAC acting as a preamp which in turn drives my Purifi power amp.

Presently I don't stream music from a service such as Tidal or Qobuz, nor do I use Roon. Any or all of these services could be accommodated on a PC or various other, general purpose computers.

 

[JeffS7444]

General-purpose operating systems contain too much unrelated stuff which nevertheless wants updates and which issues notifications: When I want to listen to music, I want to listen to music, not wait for critical (for who?) updates to complete. And while I may like having the option of using a networked device (phone, tablet, PC) to control it, there's something to be said for a well-designed dedicated remote which connects directly to the device via IR or Bluetooth.

My current compromise of choice is Raspberry Pi 4 + RPi 7" touch screen + Moode. Used to be a Pi 3 + audio hat, but Pi 4 fixed USB audio, so that's what I use. Downside is that, combined with older SmartiPi case (hacked to fit Pi 4) it looks like a tinkerer's gadget.

 

[Barrelhouse Solly]

Features, assuming adequate sound quality. One of my catch phrases is: "There is almost always more than one good solution to a problem or tool for a job."

 

[thcdru2k]

A PC is just too big, clunky, and an esthetic nightmare. I do use a Raspberry Pi for Plexamp / HDCD Transport - however still does not support Spotify lossless. WiiM device/other streamers are also extremely convenient for multi-room synced audio.

 

[popej]

I have Win 11 Pro mini PC that I use in a dedicated manner for music.

Is there any ergonomic remote for that kind of setup? Streamer, which needs a dedicated chair won't be funny.

 

[Gorgonzola]

Is there any ergonomic remote for that kind of setup? Streamer, which needs a dedicated chair won't be funny.

If you find one, let me know.

There is a ''Windows" app for Android and probably iPhone that supposedly lets you operate a Win Pro machine remotely but I couldn't get it to work. I set up my Win machine for report access but the Android app refused to recognized my valid Microsoft ID.

 

[pablolie]

Of course there are always computers involved, they just go by different names.

It's just a matter of user interface and convenience, there are zero fundamental differences between using -say- JRiver on a tablet PC versus using a very similar interface on a streamer.

 

[Berwhale]

Is there any ergonomic remote for that kind of setup? Streamer, which needs a dedicated chair won't be funny.

You can use any remote you like with one of these: https://flirc.tv/products/flirc-usb-receiver

I used to use one to control eAPO with my Topping remote (before I bought the DX5 II and moved my PEQ to it): https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...te-or-any-other-ir-remote.36869/#post-1297243

 

[popej]

You can use any remote you like with one of these: https://flirc.tv/products/flirc-usb-receiver

I used to think, that remote for a streamer is an app on a phone. But currently I'm streaming Amazon Music on FireTV stick, using small monitor and FTV remote
Yes, this could be a solution for PC too.

 

[Ruediger]

Is there any ergonomic remote for that kind of setup? Streamer, which needs a dedicated chair won't be funny.

There are MCE style usb remotes. I heard Harmonys can also work.

I mostly used a keyboard with touchpad, Logi K400 or other models of that sort.

 

[Timcognito]

It is the variable source and device connection and control, and GUI of music options applications that when combined with mobility and touchscreen separate the streamer from a computer. I depends on how one listens to music that sets the decision on which or both you use. I do use both depending what I'm doing.

 

[aagstn]

Convenience is my key. My Mac could be the streamer, but I prefer it as the server for other devices to access. I like using MusicCast for streaming UPnP from the Mac.

 

[xanalog]

I was running a Windows computer playing my own library used Foobar2000 and intended to continue doing so.

I don't qualify as a 'streamer'; if neither iRadio (network) or SXM (satellite) count as such.
Strictly 2-channel/stereo but feeding 4 zones, in the house.

AsusProArt-Z790Creator-Desktop/Server* (Win11Pro/DanteController-USB-C//SMSL-AO200MkII/Infinity-P153s)
NUC10* (Win11/Dante/USB-C//SMSL-DO100Pro-DP5SE/Fosi-SP3/3E-A7/MoFi-SP10MEs)
NUC8* (Win11/Dante/USB-C//Kef-LSXIIs)
*NAS (2TB/6kFolders-All 3 PCs)
*AIMP5.4 (MusicPlayer-All 3 PCs)
*DAP (Hidizs-AP80PM-any of 4 music setups)
SiriusXM (Dante//FOSI-SP3)
LG-OLED (smartTV/SPDIF//SMSL-DP5E)
BrzHiFi-PA10/Polk-R15s (garage)

 

[CD2]

This is a really high-value discussion! We've been using a little media PC I built for low noise and power consumption. Audio is mainly Foobar but I may add Qobuz. OTOH like a lot of you I dislike Windows it will only get worse [insert Microsoft rant].

However. One thing keeping us on a PC is it's easy to run a browser on one for movie streaming services. So from one keyboard and screen, anyone in the household can access movies, youtubes, and music. Simple interface, nothing to learn. How easy is it to reproduce that on the little linux boxes and similar very small computers some of you are using?

 

[audiogeek]

My laptop via HDMI into my Yamaha RX-A2060 AVR 7:2:2 man cave is fine.
I have Revel F206 front mains powered by a 2011 Emotiva A/B amp @ 250 x 2 @ 8 ohms. 2 RSL 12S speed woofers crossed over @ 80hz. JBL Studio L series (2006) surrounds. All connections (AC power, interconnects and speakers) cost me about $250.00.

I am VERY HAPPY!

 

[Ruediger]

This is a really high-value discussion! We've been using a little media PC I built for low noise and power consumption. Audio is mainly Foobar but I may add Qobuz. OTOH like a lot of you I dislike Windows it will only get worse [insert Microsoft rant].

However. One thing keeping us on a PC is it's easy to run a browser on one for movie streaming services. So from one keyboard and screen, anyone in the household can access movies, youtubes, and music. Simple interface, nothing to learn. How easy is it to reproduce that on the little linux boxes and similar very small computers some of you are using?

MS has actually started a taskforce to stop it from getting worse. And to bring individual usability back up.

The one thing I picture better in a browser on a PC than on a media box is Youtube. Because I can make it 100% ad and interruption free there. That won't work as good with an app or browser on a different device. To some degree with a network-wide cleaner like PiHole, but not as good as on a PC. I don't use it much, but if I would - def. a criteria.

For everything else - assuming you have a handful to a dozen standard sources - a media box would be much simpler. Ditch the keyboard, a small remote is enough. Kodi is available on PC and on many small devices, with *ELEC as a linux underneath being the most efficient and powerful variant. It does movies, music, upnp libraray, upnp renderer, radio, photo and some more things out of the box. The rest would be addons in there. I can't think of a media-related thing that isn't available via addon.

 

[TheWalkman]

MS has actually started a taskforce to stop it from getting worse. And to bring individual usability back up.

The one thing I picture better in a browser on a PC than on a media box is Youtube. Because I can make it 100% ad and interruption free there. That won't work as good with an app or browser on a different device. To some degree with a network-wide cleaner like PiHole, but not as good as on a PC. I don't use it much, but if I would - def. a criteria.

For everything else - assuming you have a handful to a dozen standard sources - a media box would be much simpler. Ditch the keyboard, a small remote is enough. Kodi is available on PC and on many small devices, with *ELEC as a linux underneath being the most efficient and powerful variant. It does movies, music, upnp libraray, upnp renderer, radio, photo and some more things out of the box. The rest would be addons in there. I can't think of a media-related thing that isn't available via addon.

Along similar lines, I have a RPi in my bedroom attached to a Fosi amp and a pair of Elacs. Occasionally, I’ll watch a show on my iPad and cast the audio to the Pi (running AirPlay) for a bigger soundstage. It works well and the sound quality is far better than Bluetooth.