{"id":120338,"date":"2021-02-06T07:28:14","date_gmt":"2021-02-06T07:28:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.techweekmag.com\/?p=120338"},"modified":"2023-10-18T07:23:59","modified_gmt":"2023-10-18T06:23:59","slug":"top-10-best-music-streamers-2021-options-for-all-occasions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/hi-fi\/top-10-best-music-streamers-2021-options-for-all-occasions\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 10 Best Music Streamers 2021 \u2022 Options for all occasions"},"content":{"rendered":"

The vast majority of today’s audio systems use digital content.\u00a0However, just buying a DAC is not enough – you need to submit data to it.\u00a0From a computer, external streamer, streaming over the Internet.<\/p>\n

In this article we will look at the basic schemes for organizing such installations (in case your converter has only USB or optical \/ coaxial inputs) and answer frequently asked questions about “digital”.\u00a0The list is sorted from simple (and expensive) solutions to more complex, but cost-saving.<\/p>\n

\"1.<\/p>\n

1. Innuos Statement – the ultimate quality<\/h3>\n

Pros<\/b>\u00a0– Luxurious sound by any measure<\/p>\n

Cons<\/b>\u00a0– extremely expensive<\/p>\n

Suitable for<\/b>\u00a0owners of Ultra High End systems<\/p>\n

“All at once”.\u00a0Ripper, server, streamer, Roon core – this miracle machine is very expensive, but today it is the ideal solution for Ultra High End systems.\u00a0InnuOS proprietary operating system (based on Linux), MQA and DSD support, Ethernet ports with proprietary OCXO clocks, up to 4TB of enterprise-grade SSD storage … And, of course, the sound is soulful, accurate, emotional and fantastically detailed.<\/p>\n

\"2.<\/p>\n

2. Antipodes CX – digital High End<\/h3>\n

Pros<\/b>\u00a0– clearly demonstrates the benefits of working with the digital stream of an audiophile device<\/p>\n

Cons<\/b>\u00a0– price<\/p>\n

For whom it is suitable<\/b>\u00a0– for those who want to aim at the highest quality<\/p>\n

Top class audiophile system\u00a0Antipodes CX<\/strong><\/u>– powerful Intel Core i7 processor, work with PCM signals up to 32\/768 and DSD512, I2S-output and the ability to amplify the system with Antipodes P2 femto-clocks.\u00a0Linear power supply – built-in ODAPS2 Linear unit is used.\u00a0High performance allows Antipodes CX to work with large Roon libraries using the maximum upsampling parameters, and the streamer sound quality literally captivates.\u00a0The model is extremely simple and elegant to set up.<\/p>\n

\"3.<\/p>\n

3. Roon Nucleus – set and forget option<\/h3>\n

Pros<\/b>\u00a0– ergonomics for “5+”<\/p>\n

Cons<\/b>\u00a0– switching power supply<\/p>\n

To fit<\/b>\u00a0– fans Roon<\/p>\n

The proprietary module from Roon – Nucleus runs on the preinstalled Roon Rock OS and, when connected to an Ethernet network with Roon-certified equipment, guarantees the activation of the proprietary RATT data transfer protocol.\u00a0Inside – specially optimized hardware (4 GB RAM, 64 GB SSD disk, expansion slot for 2.5 ‘SSD up to 4 TB), fanless and anti-resonant case.\u00a0Roon Nucleus sounds very confident and powerful.<\/p>\n

\"4.<\/p>\n

4. Sonore opticalRendu digital bridge – sky-high quality<\/h3>\n

Pros<\/b>\u00a0– High End for Hi-Fi Price<\/p>\n

Cons<\/b>\u00a0– other elements of the path will be required<\/p>\n

Who<\/b>\u00a0is it for – those who want the best for relatively little money<\/p>\n

Here you will have to “dance with a tambourine” – you need an optical switch or a proprietary optical converter (another 20,000 dollars) for an Ethernet network, you will need a streaming UPnP server and a DAC with a USB input.\u00a0But the work and investment will be worth it – the most advanced optical wiring to date guarantees stunning sound quality.\u00a0The sound of Sonore opticalRendu has the same \u201cdiamond\u201d that all lovers of high-end technology are after.<\/p>\n

\"5.<\/p>\n

5. Apple Mac mini – always in service<\/h3>\n

Pros<\/b>\u00a0– a versatile machine for both work and sound<\/p>\n

Cons<\/b>\u00a0– the audio output interface on the minijack is not very good<\/p>\n

Suitable for<\/b>\u00a0– Apple fans and connoisseurs of everything elegant<\/p>\n

The brand new Apple Mac mini on an M1 chip with an 8-core processor, a 16-core Neural Engine system and a 256GB SSD is a sample for building a dedicated server \/ streamer for audio.\u00a0The operating system Mac OS X does not contain anything superfluous, and the possibility of completing the device with a linear power supply (of which there are abundant on the market) takes the assembly to a completely different level in terms of sound quality.<\/p>\n

\"6.<\/p>\n

6. Bluesound Node 2i – available, but no ultimate options<\/h3>\n

Pros<\/b>\u00a0– one of the best ergonomic solutions, regardless of cost<\/p>\n

Cons<\/b>\u00a0– only coaxial and optical digital outputs<\/p>\n

Suitable for<\/b>\u00a0lovers of simple solutions<\/p>\n

A chic and very inexpensive multi-room system.\u00a0Bluesound Node 2i can work as a full streamer with a digital-to-analog converter; it can output a digital signal to an external DAC via coaxial or optics.\u00a0Signal support up to 24-bit \/ 192 kHz, 32-bit converter, tons of built-in streaming clients (including TuneIn Radio, iHeartRadio, Calm Radio, Radio Paradise digital radio) and benchmark ergonomics included.\u00a0Yes, in terms of sound, the player will not jump over its head, but in its price category the offer seems very “tasty”.<\/p>\n

\"7.<\/p>\n

7. Own build of Intel NUC for Roon ROCK OS – savings without sacrificing quality<\/h3>\n

Pros<\/b>\u00a0– allows you to significantly save<\/p>\n

Cons<\/b>\u00a0– Fan operation can be audible<\/p>\n

Who<\/b>\u00a0is it for – those who are “familiar” with MS<\/p>\n

An analogue of Roon Nucleus can be assembled by yourself – only with fans “on board”.\u00a0Roon Rock OS can be installed on select models Intel NUC, and the resulting solution flaunts its simple and elegant.\u00a0Of course, all the delights of the Roon RAAT will be in front of you – as well as the muscled, muscular sound.<\/p>\n

\"8.<\/p>\n

8. Deeply Optimized Universal PC – Not Easy, But Angry<\/h3>\n

Pros<\/b>\u00a0– savings;\u00a0flexibility and customization options<\/p>\n

Cons<\/b>\u00a0– you have to work hard<\/p>\n

Who<\/b>\u00a0is it for – fans of “iron”<\/p>\n

Customizing a personal computer is not an easy task, but such a task is more than worth the sound quality.\u00a0For a relatively small amount, you can assemble a modern PC based on Intel Core and an SSD disk and “shake out” everything unnecessary from the OS by installing special optimizers…\u00a0For purists, the Linux build is fine.<\/p>\n

\"9.<\/p>\n

9. Audioquest Dragonfly Cobalt – affordable quality<\/h3>\n

Pros<\/b>\u00a0– great sound without too much hassle<\/p>\n

Cons<\/b>\u00a0– I would like options for working with signals of at least 24 bit \/ 192 kHz<\/p>\n

Who<\/b>\u00a0is it for – zealous owners<\/p>\n

A compact DAC that can be used in conjunction with a smartphone and headphones, or in a home system with a conventional PC source.\u00a0Audioquest dragonfly cobalt based on the Saber ESS9038Q2M chip with a minimum-phase filter controlled by the Microchip PIC32MX274 processor (data processing speed has become 33% higher compared to the younger models of the series).\u00a0All this is complemented by the Wavelength Audio monoClock precision clock generator.\u00a0As a result, the DAC delivers sound that outperforms most budget digital players in all respects.\u00a0You can only scold him for the lack of support for streams above 24 bit \/ 96 kHz.<\/p>\n

\"10.<\/p>\n

10. Roon soft player – nowhere without a “magic wand”!<\/h3>\n

Pros<\/b>\u00a0– Best ergonomics and sound quality to date<\/p>\n

Cons<\/b>\u00a0– subscription usage model<\/p>\n

Suitable for<\/b>\u00a0all music lovers<\/p>\n

The finishing touch to modern audio streaming is the Roon soft player.\u00a0A universal cataloger for your media library that pulls up covers and puts all records “on the shelves”, has built-in clients for the main streaming services and works under its own Roon RAAT protocol in the case of using compatible hardware.\u00a0The sound quality is fantastic and the system is already an industry standard.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The vast majority of today’s audio systems use digital content.\u00a0However, just buying a DAC is not enough – you need to submit data to it.\u00a0From a computer, external streamer, streaming over the Internet. In this article we will look at the basic schemes for organizing such installations (in case your converter has only USB or […] More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10237,"featured_media":120340,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[642],"tags":[784],"class_list":{"0":"post-120338","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-hi-fi","8":"tag-guide"},"acf":[],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/120338","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10237"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=120338"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/120338\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/120340"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=120338"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=120338"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=120338"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}