We have come a long way in unraveling the world of streaming audio! Now we come to the point of making a choice. And that’s not so easy. The problem, however, is not with the selection, but mainly with figuring out what you – or your client – are looking for in a set-up right now.
Filter
Step one in making a choice, is to clearly envision what you are looking for in a streamer. In doing so, consider:
- Wired / wireless connections for the network
- Digital and/or analog outputs
- Do you have an amplifier with digital inputs?
- Do you have a separate d/a converter?
- Pre-amp or volume control?
- Looking for something compact with volume control and inputs?
- Be aware that digital volume controls sometimes cause loss of quality!
- Built-in storage
- Do you want to be able to build in media storage?
- App for iOS and / or Android
- … and how nicely does the app work?
- Support for certain online streaming services
- Do you already have a subscription to a service?
- Would you like to continue using this service as well?
- Desktop software for Windows / Mac
- Do you want it, or do you not think it is important?
- Any home automation links? (Crestron, Control4, Fibaro, etc…)
- What about expanding the system?
- Proprietary ecosystem?
- Open protocol?
- What additional products can be purchased?
- And not unimportant: price
- What is your budget?
- Does this budget have a margin?
- Do any accessories fall within or outside this budget?
- … think cables, software (Roon?) …
And now…?
We have now only listed the objective things. What matters most to an enthusiast is the musical quality. However, it is important to understand that the user experience is incredibly important. If a streamer is not pleasant to use, someone will use it less and less. To the point that almost no music is listened to anymore. A mortal sin!
In short: it is very important that a streamer is pleasant to use. This starts with the installation, but ultimately it will revolve around the app. This app has not only replaced the buttons on the device and remote control; it has also replaced searching for music in the cabinet. This does have the implication that the search for music must be done properly. Nothing is more annoying than not being able to find anything because the software does not understand us properly.
Our advice: try an app very carefully before deciding on a particular device!
listen
As we go further and further through the filtering process and we finally select two or three products, it’s time to start listening. This is, of course, the most fun part. And the most subjective. After all, only the ears of the enthusiast can determine what is good or not good.
It is preferred to test streamers at home or in the system where it will be placed. This is because a hi-fi system is an interplay of several things. Think of the interplay of electronics. Or of the speaker with the room. Since each streamer also has its own sound, it is important to listen to the streamer in the system where it will eventually be placed.