Why Should A Streamer Be Part Of Your Setup

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Why Should A Streamer Be Part Of Your Setup

The media of choice in the world of audiophiles was previously used to be dominated by vinyl, then CDs and along the way, we even dabbled with DVD Audio and Blu Rays as well and SACDs. Then come downloads and now music is also streamed.

The initial streamers weren't so good, and the content was sparse, resolution was low resulting in rather poor sound quality.

These days, the audiophile is faced with a plethora of choices and often they come equipped with good DACs built in, and offer not just Wifi playback of internet radio but also commercial platforms like Tidal and Spotify. In addition most come with Roon and local wireless options like Bluetooth and AirPlay. So a streamer with a DAC can be the nerve centre for the modern home, connecting to the TV for better sound, or a CD player, as well as the streaming options, or simply listening to the internet radio. 

So apart from having these, some of the features to look out for are

The number of inputs such as USB thumb drive playback - do note what kind of formats it accepts and the capacity of the drive allowed

USB A input from a computer
Optical and coaxial inputs And outputs
HDMI with ARC
Bluetooth output to a speaker or headphone

Preamp processor function - some aren't just a streamer or DAC but can be plugged straight into a power amp or powered speakers.

Also see if there are analogue inputs and what kind of outputs. Higher end units may even offer XLR output and inputs.

The user interface as well as the streaming platform used is also very important. Some have awful interfaces so it's imperative to try out the streamer before you buy.

There are so many choices and in the next few posts I shall review three units at different price points, each with their unique features.







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