Choosing Better Hi-Fi Streaming Gear for Your System

The R_volution PlayerMini is aimed at viewers who need more than a basic Android TV box but do not require the broader feature set of the PlayerOne 8K.

Its Amlogic S905X4-K chipset supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+, while media can be streamed from a network-attached storage device or played from an external USB hard drive.

Library management is handled through the R_video Media Center application. The combination of a compact enclosure, network playback and external-drive support makes this a multimedia-oriented option for films, television programmes and concert material rather than a purely audio-focused network transport.

This comparison is useful because it treats network streamers as products for different systems rather than interchangeable boxes.

The Cambridge Audio MXN10 is presented as the broad all-round choice, combining analogue and digital outputs with Bluetooth, USB playback, extensive streaming support and high-resolution capability.

The Arcam ST5 receives the sound-focused recommendation, particularly when connected digitally to an external DAC. More specialised alternatives include the Matrix Audio NT-1, with SFP networking, an external-clock input and five digital outputs; the Gustard S26, with a Ryzen processor, 1TB SSD and expansion potential; and the Leak TruStream, which combines retro styling with balanced and unbalanced outputs plus a 6.35mm headphone connection.

The Eidos is Goldmund's first network player, developed with Dutch streaming specialist Pink Faun.

It is designed to work naturally with Goldmund active speakers while supporting both wired and wireless network connections.

An internal 8TB storage capacity gives substantial space to local music libraries. Roon provides the control environment and access to services including Tidal, Qobuz and KKBOX, positioning the Eidos as a combined network source and high-capacity music library for suitably matched systems.

The Marantz MCR 60n DAB is closer to a complete compact stereo system than a standalone streamer.

It integrates HEOS network and multiroom playback, a CD player, radio, television audio connectivity, vinyl support and digital Class D amplification rated at 2 x 65 watts into 4 ohms under the stated test conditions.

Add speakers and it can operate as the centre of a broad home music system. Two sets of speaker terminals permit individually controlled playback in two areas or bi-amplification with one compatible speaker pair. A subwoofer output includes adjustable bass management, while fixed and variable analogue outputs allow use with active speakers or an external power amplifier. Dirac Live room correction is available separately and requires an additional licence and microphone kit.

This system-planning guide addresses the ambiguity behind the word streamer.

It separates the network transport, which passes digital audio to an existing DAC, from streamers with their own conversion stages and more comprehensive hubs that can also provide volume control or preamplifier functions.

Multimedia players are treated as a separate category because they add video and surround-sound responsibilities. The emphasis is sensibly placed on the jobs a system still needs rather than headline resolution figures. Sources such as streaming services, local computers and NAS libraries are considered alongside AirPlay, Chromecast and Bluetooth, while products ranging from the transport-focused Volumio Rivo+ to the extensively integrated Shanling SM90 illustrate the available range.

The Shanling SM90 combines network streaming, digital-to-analogue conversion and digital preamplifier duties in a single aluminium chassis.

Its conversion stage uses two AKM AK4493S DACs, OPA1612 operational amplifiers and a linear power supply built around a toroidal transformer.

An open Android-based platform permits native use of Spotify, TIDAL, Qobuz, Apple Music and Amazon Music applications. That breadth makes the SM90 notably different from a transport that must be partnered with a separate DAC and control stage: it is intended to consolidate several digital components while retaining direct access to multiple streaming ecosystems.

The YBA Genesis S2 combines network streaming, local storage and digital-to-analogue conversion.

Its closed Android platform supports streaming services as well as USB storage, DLNA, AirPlay, NAS playback and Bluetooth, with YBA's Android Global Lossless Output system managing audio output.

A built-in 1TB NVMe solid-state drive can hold a local library and is removable for direct connection to a computer when transferring files. Conversion is handled by a pair of AKM AK4497EQ DACs, supported by proprietary FPGA technology, KDS crystal oscillators and dedicated filtering. YBA also shields and isolates the DAC section to limit interference between the streaming and conversion circuitry.

The Matrix Audio SI-1 is not a streamer but a network accessory intended for wired streaming systems.

It accepts a gigabit Ethernet connection through an RJ-45 input and provides an RJ-45 output, with dual-channel optical isolation used internally to separate the two sides electrically.

Its purpose is to interrupt a possible route for unwanted electrical noise and ground-potential differences between a streamer and the rest of a household network. The design also incorporates a linear power supply and dual femtosecond clock circuits. These features make it a specialised infrastructure component rather than a replacement for a network player.

This is a caution about connected audio ownership rather than a conventional product recommendation.

Sony says support for network-based services across numerous older products will end on November 17,, affecting premium music servers including the HAP-Z1ES and HAP-S1.

Services such as Spotify will consequently become unavailable on the affected hardware. The servers will retain local playback from their internal hard drives, so they will not become entirely unusable. Both cited models are DSD-capable, include 1TB of storage and support high-resolution audio. Their situation nevertheless demonstrates why app compatibility and continuing server support deserve consideration alongside hardware quality when selecting a streaming product.

The fanless Silent Angel Rhein ZX combines music-server, storage and digital-transport responsibilities but deliberately omits a digital-to-analogue converter.

It is therefore intended to sit upstream of a separate DAC as the control centre for streaming and local-library playback.

Silent Angel's VitOS platform operates alongside a native Roon Server. Processing comes from an eight-core, 12-thread Intel Core i5-12450H, with 16GB, 32GB and 64GB DDR4 memory configurations available. There is no front display or set of physical controls, so operation is app-based. The internal design also uses a purpose-built audio motherboard, linear AC supply and redundant firmware arrangement.