The streamer – the world of music at your fingertips

At Taste for Audio, we believe in the power of “both-and”: combining the convenience and vast music selection of a network player with the authentic feel of CDs and vinyl.
As one customer says: “I must admit that I initially dismissed streamers. I thought they could never match the depth of vinyl or CDs. But after taking the plunge, I’m amazed by the ease and sound quality. The combination of accessibility and high-resolution audio has truly enhanced my listening experience.” This sentiment is often shared by audiophiles who make the switch to streaming, as modern streamers now support high-quality formats like FLAC and MQA, bringing the experience closer to that of physical media.

High-resolution audio offers more detail than standard CD quality. While a CD has a bit depth of 16 bits and a sample rate of 44.1 kHz, high-resolution formats like FLAC, MQA, or DSD can support bit depths of 24 bits and sample rates up to 192 kHz or higher. This means more data is processed per second, leading to a richer, more layered sound, especially noticeable with dynamic music pieces. The higher the resolution, the better the subtleties and nuances in the sound emerge, provided the equipment used is of high quality. Both Tidal and Qobuz support this.

What is a streamer?

A streamer is essentially a computer that retrieves, processes, and plays digital music files from the internet or your own network, much like a computer processes data. The difference is that a streamer is optimized for one task: playing music at the highest quality, without all the extra functionality of a regular computer. Like a computer, it has hardware and software that together determine the quality. When you simply connect the streamer to your amplifier as a source, you don’t have to deal much with the underlying software. It’s plug and play.

Price ranges: from entry-level to high-end

Streamers come in a wide range of prices. In this blog, we focus on streamers in the price range of €800 to €3000, such as the Eversolo and the Rotel. These models have an integrated DAC, and the latter even offers an all-in-one solution with a built-in amplifier for music lovers.

Integrated DAC or not?

Most streamers come with an integrated DAC, meaning you don’t need a separate one. In this price range, we prefer streamers with built-in DACs, like the models discussed, for a simple yet high-quality listening experience.

Tips for choosing the right streamer

Choosing the right network audio streamer can be overwhelming, especially if you’re not familiar with audio equipment terminology. Here are a few tips to help you make an informed decision:

• Audio Quality: The most important aspect when choosing a streamer is sound quality. Look for models with a high-quality DAC and support for lossless audio formats like FLAC and ALAC.
• Connectivity Options: Consider how you want to connect the streamer to your existing equipment and network, whether you need wired or wireless connections, and how you’ll connect it to your speakers or amplifiers. If you want to make your own CD collection available on a network, this requires some research and choosing specific software platforms like BluOs, Android, and Sonos. It demands some digital skills and patience, along with familiarity with terms like Roon and UPnP. You can find good articles on sites such as HiFiTrends and eCoustics.
• Ease of Use: Even the best technical features are useless if the device is hard to use. Look for streamers with intuitive interfaces, simple setup, and compatibility with popular streaming services like Spotify and Tidal.
• Price and Budget: Streamers range in price from under €100 to several thousand euros. While it can be tempting to go for a more expensive model, it’s important to keep your budget in mind and only pay for the features you need.
• The Look and Feel: Does it match your setup? Many audiophiles prefer to expand with their own brand to maintain a cohesive look. Brand loyalty with Marantz, Arcam, and Mark Levinson is strong. However, the established brands struggle to match the quality and functionality of newer brands in all aspects.

Extra features to consider

In addition to the basic functionalities, streamers can also offer extra features such as multi-room support, voice control, and additional inputs and outputs. For example, multi-room audio allows you to play music in multiple rooms, while voice control lets you manage your music hands-free.

Two EISA Award-Winning brands: Eversolo and Rotel

Let’s highlight two excellent options in our price range:

• Eversolo DMP-A6 Edition: Special price €799,- This smaller sibling of the award-winning DMP A8, recognized by the EISA, offers an excellent balance of sound quality and ease of use. With an integrated DAC and intuitive controls, it’s a great choice for those taking their first steps into high-end streaming.
• Rotel RAS-5000: €2.998,- The Rotel RAS-5000 is more than just a streamer; it’s an integrated amplifier, awarded by the EISA jury for its technical innovation and impressive sound quality. It’s ideal for those looking to centralize their system with a single powerhouse. Read the jury report here.

Conclusion: which streamer is right for you?

While the EISA awards are impressive, the choice of streamer remains subjective. We invite you to experience the streamers yourself in our listening room, where we’ll be happy to guide you in choosing the one that matches your highly personal Taste for Audio.

In addition to new streamers, we also have a great selection of pre-owned streamers, starting at €450,- for the Denon PMA-900HNE.
All in all, you can listen to about 10 different streamers at Taste for Audio. Make an appointment, drop by or contact us to help you make the right choice if you are abroad!!