For someone who knows absolutely nothing about streaming

Network Audio
1

Hi all,

If this is a stupid question, I accept that. I know absolutely nothing about streaming. We have unlimited music streaming with Amazon and there are all sorts of things I’d like to sample and then possibly buy. What sort of a device do you need to go between a laptop and the preamp to be able to listen to those files? I can listen on the computer but my computer speakers aren’t much. Ear buds are better but I’d still like to listen to some of these songs before purchasing to see how good the recordings are. Ideally it would be something simple and inexpensive first to see if I like the format. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

1 Like
2

Hi,

to keep it simple you need 2 things, hardware and software.

Hardware: a unit called Digital to Analog Converter (DAC)

Software: an application able to extract files from your computer (or internet) and send them to the DAC which will convert them to analog signal to your preamp (yes your computer is already capable to do conversion, having a built in DAC, but at a consumer quality not hi-fi).

PS: you may also evaluate services like Qobuz, in order to listen to millions of albums in hi-fi quality without the need to buy anything.

Hope that helps.

4 Likes
3

A list of your current system would be a starting point. Short of that the WiiM Pro is a safe starting point.

3 Likes
4

Not a stupid question. We’ve all had to answer that at one time or another!
Luca’s answer is on the money.

4 Likes
5

+1 on giving us some more detail about the kit you have on hand.

Have fun.

6

WiiM is a great place to start. You connect that to your audio system and it will show up in Amazon Music as an available device. Since Amazon Music is included with your subscription, you don’t need to make purchases to stream unless you absolutely want the digital version in your personal library. Just start making Playlists of your favorite artists, albums, or mixed songs and play them. There’s no limit to how many playlists you make.

A word of advice - don’t get overly committed to Amazon before exploring other services (Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz, they all have free trials) and comparing features, UI, etc. Playlists do not transfer from one service to the other which means your lovingly curated library will need to be created anew in any of the others.

2 Likes
7

@davidnapo:

You might want to look for a “streamer”/DAC combo.

Roon and JRiver Media Center are just two (of many) examples of software programs that will curate and render your files from your network and the internet.

FYI.

2 Likes
8

You can usually use a (paid) service called Soundiiz to convert playlists from one streaming service to another.

9

In order of cost the devices available that will do what you are asking for simply are the Wiim Pro, the Wiim Pro Plus, the Wiim Ultra, Bluesound Node and the Eversolo DMP-A6. All are available from Amazon with a 30 day guaranty and include a streamer, DAC and comprehensive software for you to explore with. Pick your price point and needed features to start exploring. No additional hardware or add on software needed. If you like it and want to go further up the chain the do so after you are comfortable.

3 Likes
10

To answer what I have in my system, I have a mark levinson no. 28 preamp, m1200 mono blocks, a mark levinson 390s which has inputs for other devices to take advantage of its DAC and magnepan 3.7is with two DWM bass panels.

6 Likes
11

I started my streaming journey with a Blusound unit. Simple. Plug the right and left RCA cables in a cd input. Connect to the internet and go. Extremely stable app. Then the journey down the rabbit hole starts…

6 Likes
12

Yes, I almost mentioned that. That’s another no-go for me though.

13

How much do you want to spend? There’s a zillion options.

You do have to think about playback of the music you purchase. You will need an application for that. Many streamers have excellent apps.

Also, how’s your network? Do you have have good wifi near your gear? Is there a chance to have an ethernet cable from your network gear to your setup?

2 Likes
14

That’s my steaming frontend as well. Does not play so nice with Qobuz though

15

If your laptop has a 3.5mm headphone jack you could get a stereo 3.5mm to RCAs cable to connect your laptop to your preamp analog line level input. It will be much better than the laptop speakers. Not the best, but cheap and easy.

2 Likes
16

I don’t know why the head phone jack never crossed my mind. That’s certainly a quick first shot at this. My wireless router is probably no more than 16 feet away and a hard wire ethernet cable would be pretty easy to run. That might be worthwhile anyway. I got the idea there are some functions available on my P12 that are only available with an ethernet cable plugged into it.

17

It’s not sexy but it works. I’ve used the analog method for playing computer audio through my hifi for years.

It’s kinda fun hearing something on a YouTube video and then listening to the same through a nice streaming system. YouTube videos can sound surprising good through an analog hifi kit - but when you listen to the same music back-to-back through a good streamer it’s reassuring to know that all the cost and effort is worth it.

3 Likes
18

I would call these “convenience features“ rather than functions; anything that actually affects the sound of your system can be controlled through the screen. If you connect your P12, as I do, and register the unit with PS Audio’s site, you can keep track of the unit’s performance and have greater control over the programming of the various outlets. I find this convenient since in my set up the screen is hard to see, but none of this has to do with the basic functioning of the P12.

1 Like
19

A good starter streamer could be the Eversolo A6. There’s two versions. Highly reviewed here on the forum and elsewhere.

2 Likes
20

I don’t know how many streamers support Amazon Music. I don’t recall much conversation about anyone using it.

Anyone?