hifi-advice.com - Best Streaming Audio Solution

BEST STREAMING AUDIO SOLUTIONS

I've lived with Computer Based Audio for a long time, before I dove into Streaming Audio. This is not without reason because until recently, I found the quality of affordable streamers such as Squeezebox and Sonos to be performing below my preferred standard. Compared to these devices, a separate computer with a good (USB-) interface and a good DAC, will perform much better. But Linn changed the game with the introduction of their DS products. And then came PS Audio with their PWD. It was this device that made me realise the potential of streaming audio.

hifi-advice.com - info and reviews by Christiaan Punter - July 2011, updated may 2012

If you want conventional computer based audio and want to stay away from streaming, there is also an article on the Best Computer Based Audio solutions and an article for Best Integrated streaming solutions

The best Streaming Playback Solutions:

1. Absolute best, excellent connectivity but Sooloos-only:

Retail price approx 9950 euro

The super-refined, highly resolving solution

Meridian 818 on soft rubber feet, on a Finite Elemente Spider rack
Full sounding powercord with deep, solid bass. Furutech Alpha 3 and Reference Tweaks Gold Label work well.
Smooth and fluid yet open and detailed sounding interlinks such as Transparent Ultra XL.
Any Meridian Streaming Audio (Sooloos) storage component. (I prefer MD600)
Connection via wired shielded ethernet cable

1b. Absolute best, with limited connectivity but UPnP:

Retail price approx 17000 euro

The super-refined, highly resolving solution

Linn Klimax DS/1 on soft rubber feet, on a Finite Elemente Spider rack
Full sounding powercord with deep, solid bass. I found some Lapps to work well.
Lively interlinks such as Cardas Hexlink Golden 5C. Quadlink 5C also sounds allright. Just don't use the supplied Linn Silver interlinks as they are fine for detail but don't have the best soundstage width and depth nor the best dynamic expressiveness. Also, my usual preferred Transparent Ultra XL didn't work well - apparently the Linn's output transformers didn't like the added circuitry inside the cables.
Any computer running Kinsky Desktop or PS Audio's eLyric server program or any NAS.
Connection via wired shielded ethernet cable

1a. The best at a realistic price:

Retail price approx 5200 euro including network bridge

The super-dynamic, upbeat and life-like solution

PS Audio PWDMKII (integrated controller/renderer/DAC) on soft rubber feet.
Warm and smooth powercable and interlinks for the PWD. Echole Obsession = more accurate and refined, Furutech Alpha 3 = smoother and more engaging, Harmonic Technology Pro ACII also works well but is very mellow. Transparent Ultra or Cardas Golden Reference works well as an interlink.
HiFi Tuning Gen2 gold or Gen3 silver fuses instead of stock PWD fuses (gold = smoother, silver = more open).
Macbook Pro as server running PS Audio's eLyric server program or Synology NAS.
Connection via wired ethernet cat5 or cat6 (your choice of cable brand, but be aware that there are audible differences).

1b. The best at a realistic price:

Retail price approx 6000 euro

The natural, transparent, refined and super-convenient solution

Meridian MD600/MS600
Full and smooth sounding powercable (Furutech Alpha 3) and powerful sounding interlinks (Cardas Hexlink Golden 5C or Clear)
Connect the MD600 and MS600 to the same switch with short cables, avoid daisy-chaining switches
Place both components on the same rack, preferably MD600 on top of MS600
Spider rack works splendidly but given their neutral, well balanced nature, they'll probably work on a wide range of racks.

2. Best if cost is a slight restraint:

Retail price 1950 euro

Rhythmic, engaging and fluid

Naim UnitiQute, either by itself or into a highend dac, this little streamer performs splendidly. It doesn't have the ultra resolution or refinement of the Klimax DS, but it always sounds highly engaging. What's more: even though it isn't technically a match for the PWD, it can be more forgiving of bad recordings and has smoother, more open and airy treble.
Warm and full sounding powercord

Meridian 818 and 808.3, both with Sooloos card are simply world-class, possessing many of the Linn Klimax DS/1's qualities and even bettering it on various aspects.

hifi-advice.com

Christiaan Punter