Streamer and subscriptions: How are you streaming music?

DannyBoyNYC

Registered
Joined
Aug 5, 2017
Posts
1
I tried Roon with both Qobuz and Tidal. Qobuz had more tasteful recommendations that Tidal but in the end I disliked Roon's awkward multiroom capabilities (unlinking and relinking in order to change configurations?!) and its much lauded "dig deeper" capabilities fell flat compared to simple internet searches. I enjoyed its PEQ capabilities and informative sampling, resolution and chain information but in the end it was not enough to keep me on board. The fact that I had to pay for two services meant that they fell to the knife in my twice yearly "culling of the subscriptions" and I went back to Spotify (can't cancel due to family) and Apple Music (crappy, mass market oriented) which I get as part of a larger subscription package (and allows me to listen to Joni Mitchell and Neil Young and other artists who've dropped from Spotify for one reason or another).
I use Rogue Amoeba's Airfoil on a headless server and primarily Spotify Connect for sending and for whole house audio and do not have a library that I care about maintaining or growing. I never use the manufacturer supplied apps for music selection or streaming. Airplay support is important to me but I almost never use it via MacOS or iOS (its a hot mess) unless streaming from Apple's excellent Classical Music app which is currently iOS only.
My systems (4 in total) would probably be labelled "mid-fi" by most audiophiles (WiiM, Fosi, NAD) but I don't believe I'll achieve appreciably better sound by paying big $$$ for audiophile boxes and cables - apart from speakers that is. I'm sure many will say something along the lines of "your system isn't resolving enough to appreciate..." but for me its less about the gear and more about the music.
 

diem

Registered
Joined
Nov 9, 2019
Posts
4
I use an Allo USBridge as my streamer, running Moode Audio. I selected this since the hardware had a focus on sound quality for the audio path/segregation from the compute electronics. I like Moode because it includes high-quality parametric equalization, crucial to counteract my listening room's response curve.

I stream only my own carefully curated local library of audio files. In this way I can be confident that I know exactly which performance/recording I am hearing. Too many online streaming services are vague about these details which, considering the potentially huge sonic effects of the digital transfers process, is a major weakness. I also do not like for the vagaries of Internet routing to be part of my listening chain.

The only service I pay for Spotify, solely as a discovery source for new music.

HTH,

Ian
 

Frank Ostrander

Registered
Joined
Dec 1, 2019
Posts
1
I stream a number of sources using iTunes on a Mac mini. D-to-A is accomplished locally using an Edirol UA-5, and remotely on a number of Apple TV (3G) units around the house. Source selection and volume are controlled from my iPhone using the Remote App. I like the Apple TVs for multiple simultaneous playback because they sync very well (no delay from one unit to the next), so where you can hear two sources, there are no issues.

Streaming services I use are internet radio stations such as radioparadise.com (I send them $5 a month). Others include local terrestrial radio stations online feeds as well as foreign sites.

I buy a lot of music on iTunes and have a large library stored locally (over 10,000 items).
 

Freesound

Registered
Joined
Jul 2, 2020
Posts
2
I'm using Qobuz via PiCoreAudio. But if my hard drive with my music library is connected to the RaspberryPi, I prefer it.
 

EgidioAmato

New Member
Joined
Jul 23, 2021
Posts
1
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
Nutube Pass B1
Main Amp
Firstwatt F6
Other Amp
ONKYO
DAC
Cambridge Audio
Computer Audio
PC
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Marantz
Front Speakers
ORAN
Center Channel Speaker
ORAN
Surround Back Speakers
ORAN
Subwoofers
MOSSCADE Titan
Hello, by my side I use Audirvana + Audirvana remote (App) to feed my DAC. Hi-res files (Flac & DSD) are stored on a Synology NAS.
 

Tharrigan56

Member
Bright Side Crew
Joined
Sep 28, 2022
Posts
8
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
Anthem 1140x
Main Amp
Krell 500
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Panasonic UB 9000
Streaming Equipment
Apple TV and Roku
Streaming Subscriptions
Disney Plus, Apple TV, Prime Video, Paramount plus, Netflix
Front Speakers
Revel W990
Center Channel Speaker
Revel W990
Surround Speakers
Revel W893 (2)
Surround Back Speakers
Revel W893 (2)
Subwoofers
JL Audio IWSv2-SYS-213 (4)
Other Speakers
Revel Atmos C783
Screen
Stewart 144 inch 2.4 acoustic screen
Video Display Device
JVC NX9
Remote Control
Control 4
I am currently using Eversolo's A6 Master as the streaming device and Tidal with Roon to play and organize music. So far, I'm extremely happy with the quality and flexibility of this combination. Upgrading my stereo hardware very soon and it will be interesting to hear the difference.
 

Todd Anderson

Editor / Senior Admin
Staff member
Joined
Jan 20, 2017
Posts
9,816
Location
Balt/Wash Metro
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
StormAudio ISP.24 MK2
Main Amp
Emotiva XPA-5
Additional Amp
Emotiva XPA Gen3 2.8 multichannel amp
Other Amp
Denon X8500H
DAC
THX ONYX
Computer Audio
AudioEngine A2+
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Kaleidescape TERRA, OPPO UDP-203, Panasonic UB9000
Streaming Equipment
iFi Audio Zen Blue
Streaming Subscriptions
Spotify
Front Speakers
GoldenEar Technology Triton One.R
Center Channel Speaker
GoldenEar Technology SuperCenter Reference
Surround Speakers
GoldenEar Invisa MPX
Surround Back Speakers
GoldenEar Invisa MPX
Front Height Speakers
SVS Prime Elevation x4 (Top Front, Top Mid-Front)
Rear Height Speakers
SVS Prime Elevation x4 (Top Middle, Top Rear)
Subwoofers
Quad Array SVS SB16s
Other Speakers
Behringer 1124p; Aura Bass Shaker Pros; SuperSub X
Screen
Seymour Screen Excellence, Enlightor NEO AT Screen
Video Display Device
JVC NZ8
Other Equipment
Sony 65-inch A95L OLED, Sony 65-inch X900F, ZeroSurge 8R15W x 2, ZeroSurge 2R15W x 2
I was going to do the same thing... drop Tidal, but kept procrastinating as well. Then Tidal dropped its price, so I decided to keep it.

It was like a staredown contest, Sonnie. Except you didn't know you were in a staredown. I guess they blinked first!
 

Todd Anderson

Editor / Senior Admin
Staff member
Joined
Jan 20, 2017
Posts
9,816
Location
Balt/Wash Metro
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
StormAudio ISP.24 MK2
Main Amp
Emotiva XPA-5
Additional Amp
Emotiva XPA Gen3 2.8 multichannel amp
Other Amp
Denon X8500H
DAC
THX ONYX
Computer Audio
AudioEngine A2+
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Kaleidescape TERRA, OPPO UDP-203, Panasonic UB9000
Streaming Equipment
iFi Audio Zen Blue
Streaming Subscriptions
Spotify
Front Speakers
GoldenEar Technology Triton One.R
Center Channel Speaker
GoldenEar Technology SuperCenter Reference
Surround Speakers
GoldenEar Invisa MPX
Surround Back Speakers
GoldenEar Invisa MPX
Front Height Speakers
SVS Prime Elevation x4 (Top Front, Top Mid-Front)
Rear Height Speakers
SVS Prime Elevation x4 (Top Middle, Top Rear)
Subwoofers
Quad Array SVS SB16s
Other Speakers
Behringer 1124p; Aura Bass Shaker Pros; SuperSub X
Screen
Seymour Screen Excellence, Enlightor NEO AT Screen
Video Display Device
JVC NZ8
Other Equipment
Sony 65-inch A95L OLED, Sony 65-inch X900F, ZeroSurge 8R15W x 2, ZeroSurge 2R15W x 2
I am currently using Eversolo's A6 Master as the streaming device and Tidal with Roon to play and organize music. So far, I'm extremely happy with the quality and flexibility of this combination. Upgrading my stereo hardware very soon and it will be interesting to hear the difference.
What kind of gear's on the docket for upgrade?
 

dobishop

Registered
Joined
Feb 14, 2021
Posts
2
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
Marantz 7705
Main Amp
Emotiva XPA Gen 3
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Oppo 205 Region Free
Streaming Equipment
AppleTV 4K
Front Speakers
Monoprice 460T
Center Channel Speaker
Wharfedale EVO 4.CS
Surround Speakers
Wharfedale EVO 4.2
Surround Back Speakers
Wharfedale EVO 4.1
Front Height Speakers
SVS Prime Elevation
Rear Height Speakers
SVS Prime Elevation
Subwoofers
SVS SB-2000 (2)
Other Speakers
LG 4K Blu-Ray Region Free
Video Display Device
LG E965
Other Equipment
HDHomeRun ATSC 3.0, PS5
I use the A6 with Qobuz and Tidal. I do enjoy vinyl but ever since I got the A6 vinyl has taken a backseat mainly because it's easier to sit for a while without having to get up to flip the record.
CDs & DVDAs through Oppo 205 and Apple + for new music.
 

Todd Anderson

Editor / Senior Admin
Staff member
Joined
Jan 20, 2017
Posts
9,816
Location
Balt/Wash Metro
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
StormAudio ISP.24 MK2
Main Amp
Emotiva XPA-5
Additional Amp
Emotiva XPA Gen3 2.8 multichannel amp
Other Amp
Denon X8500H
DAC
THX ONYX
Computer Audio
AudioEngine A2+
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Kaleidescape TERRA, OPPO UDP-203, Panasonic UB9000
Streaming Equipment
iFi Audio Zen Blue
Streaming Subscriptions
Spotify
Front Speakers
GoldenEar Technology Triton One.R
Center Channel Speaker
GoldenEar Technology SuperCenter Reference
Surround Speakers
GoldenEar Invisa MPX
Surround Back Speakers
GoldenEar Invisa MPX
Front Height Speakers
SVS Prime Elevation x4 (Top Front, Top Mid-Front)
Rear Height Speakers
SVS Prime Elevation x4 (Top Middle, Top Rear)
Subwoofers
Quad Array SVS SB16s
Other Speakers
Behringer 1124p; Aura Bass Shaker Pros; SuperSub X
Screen
Seymour Screen Excellence, Enlightor NEO AT Screen
Video Display Device
JVC NZ8
Other Equipment
Sony 65-inch A95L OLED, Sony 65-inch X900F, ZeroSurge 8R15W x 2, ZeroSurge 2R15W x 2
I'm surprised you don't have a NAS, Todd... load all your CDs. However, all that music is available with streamers today, so CD libraries may not even be needed. It was certainly time consuming to load them all on the NAS.

I guess I'm surprised, too. But I think you hit the head of the nail ā€“ with the exception of a small amount albums, most everything is on a streaming service or someone has uploaded to YouTube in reasonable quality.
 

MoabUtah

Member
Joined
Nov 19, 2023
Posts
29
Location
Ammanford, WALES, UK
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
Denon AVR X4300H
I donā€™t stream either. Have ripped my cdā€™s and they are stored on several hddā€™s and USB pen drives. If Iā€™m in the mood for serious listening I use cdā€™s in the hifi system. But mainly its background pleasure via a HDD in the pc or pen drive on the car. Music gets rotated often for the car hence many pen drives and audiobooks.
 

rmcadam

New Member
Joined
May 30, 2023
Posts
1
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
Oppo 205
DAC
Oppo 205
Computer Audio
Custom PC
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Oppo 205
Front Speakers
Active Unity Audio Boulder MKI's
Subwoofers
2 x JLAudio F112
Other Speakers
minidsp Flex Active crossover
Screen
120" Elitescreen Motorised
Video Display Device
Optoma HD27e Projector
I have Spotify and pay for Tidal. I initially used my Nvidia Pro shield as a streamer but upon the purchase of the Eversolo DMP A8 things are much improved for streaming. I still consider my CD rips and Hi Res downloads superior in sound to streaming Tidal and my first choice for listening. Streaming gives me the opportunity to find new music and good background. My previous preamp DAC the Oppo 205 is still needed for bluray and DVD's with the odd SACD. In terms of sound the A8 was a large improvement. Its one hell of a machine for the money. I dumped vinyl years ago.
 

Dr.J

Registered
Joined
Dec 18, 2021
Posts
4
Greetings! I have a nice vinyl setup, but rarely listen to it, these days. Iā€™m using a modified Auralic Aries G1, streaming mostly Tidal and the radio streams from Auralic. I built an Audio Note 4.1 Dac, which I plan to modify again - the sound is so very pleasing, I can get lost in it and the Tidal choices, for hours! Iā€™ve been at this for 44 years ā€¦ am very pleased, at this point.
 

jevel

New Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2021
Posts
1
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
Mini DSP
Main Amp
Goldmund
Additional Amp
Ming DA
Other Amp
Proton NEC Denon
DAC
Hegel HD20
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Cambridge Audio
Front Speakers
Home Made
I love vinyl, but am too lazy. Tidal on my laptop and my trusty old Hegel HD20 that has been updated with new filter caps. And pre amped with Electrocompaniet EC 4.8 MKll
 

Sonnie Parker

Senior Admin
Staff member
Thread Starter
Joined
Apr 2, 2017
Posts
5,793
Location
Alabama
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
StormAudio ISP Elite 24 MK3 Processor
Main Amp
McIntosh MC1.25KW Monoblock Amps
Additional Amp
StormAudio PA 16 MK3
Music Server
ROON Nucleus One
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Panasonic UB9000 4K UHD Player
Streaming Equipment
Kaleidescape
Lenovo X1 Carbon
Apple TV 4K
FireCube 3
Streaming Subscriptions
Lifetime Roon Subscription
Tidal
qobuz
Netflix
Amazon Prime
Other Equipment
Zero Surge 8R15W-1
Zero Surge 2R20W
Front Speakers
RTJ 410
Front Wide Speakers
JTR Neosis 110HT
Center Channel Speaker
MartinLogan Focus C-18
Surround Speakers
JTR Neosis 210RT
Surround Back Speakers
JTR Neosis 210RT
Front Height Speakers
JTR Neosis 110HT-SL
Middle Height Speakers
JTR Neosis 110HT-SL
Rear Height Speakers
JTR Neosis 110HT-SL
Subwoofers
JTR Captivators - 4000ULF-TL x2 + 2400 x6
Video Display Device
Sony 98X90L
Remote Control
AVA Cinema
Cables
AudioQuest - Various
THX PixelGen HDMI
Pangea Power Cables
Custom Cables
Satellite System
Dish Joey 4K
Network/Internet
C-Spire 1Gig Fiber
Omada OC300 Controller
Omada ER8411 10G Router
Omada SG3218XP-M2 10G/2.5G Managed Switch
Omada SG2210XMP-M2 10G/2.5G Managed Switch
SilentPower LAN iPurifier Pro (for Nucleus One)
Other Equipment
Salamander Synergy Equipment Stand
VTI Amp Stands for the Monoblocks
Headphones/IEMs
HIFIMAN HE1000se
Unique Melody Mest MKII
Headphone DAC/Amp
Eversolo DMP-A6
RME ADI-2 DAC FS
HIFIMAN Goldenwave Serenade
Whole House System
HEOS System
Home-150 Speaker x6
Samsung S9 Tablet w/ HEOS
Office/Study System
Office System
Dell Precision Computer
Roon Networked
Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus Speakers
Secondary/Additional Room System
AV Test Room System
NAD M33 Streaming DAC Amp
MartinLogan Motion XT F200
JTR Captivator RS1
miniDSP EARS
Zero Surge 8R15W-1
Zero Surge 2R20W
Dell Optiplex
Roon Networked
Secondary/Additional Room System
Sunroom System
Denon AVR-X1800H HEOS Receiver
Soundfield Custom Speakers
Dayton Audio IO8XTW Outdoor Speakers
Roon Networked
Dish Joey
JVC 37" TV
Secondary/Additional Room System
Cabin System
Onkyo TX-SR805 Receiver
Infinity Primus P163 Speakers
RSL Outsiders Outdoor Speakers
Shield TV Pro
Sony 55" TV
Secondary/Additional Room System
Vinyl Room
Accuphase E-280 Integrated Amp
Technics SL-1210GR2 Turntable
Ortofon 2M Blue Cartridge
KLH Model Three Speakers
Zero Surge 8R15W-1
I'm a little surprised at how many have given up vinyl. I gave it up back in the mid-eighties, right after the CD came out. I tried to come back to it on the cheap over ten years ago, but it didn't work. Then I decided to try again recently with a quality turntable and a properly set-up system. It worked this time, and I'm loving it. There is some nostalgia to it for me, especially with all the older LPs we own. However, it hasn't replaced streaming for us.
 

pegolea

Registered
Joined
Jul 8, 2019
Posts
1
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
Audio Research LS16, Audio Research PH7
Main Amp
Audio Research REF75
Streaming Subscriptions
VPI Prime
Front Speakers
Magnepan 20.7
I listen to vinyl, but I also stream. In my main system I stream via Auralic Aries S1 (streamer and DAC in one). Since I'm using Roon and have another setup I stream to that system via Roon directly to my DAC.
 

willrock66

Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2020
Posts
15
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
Yamaha RX-A870
Main Amp
NAD 326BEE
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
NAD 515
Front Speakers
Pulsar Audio M5
Center Channel Speaker
Pulsar Audio MC
Surround Speakers
Mission 751
Front Height Speakers
SVS Prime Elevation
Subwoofers
SVS SB2000pro
Video Display Device
LG C9 55
I use Yamaha A8A and Sony WF-1000XM5 with Tidal and Amazon Music Unlimited
 
Last edited:

Jack1949

Active Member
VIP Supporter
Joined
Jun 9, 2017
Posts
288
Location
Loveland, Colorado
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
Yamaha RX-A3040
Additional Amp
KING 5-CHerry Amp - Digital Amplifier Co.
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Oppo BDP-103D
Front Speakers
JTR 210RT
Center Channel Speaker
JTR 210RM
Surround Speakers
Ascend Acoustics Sierra Towers with RAAL
Front Height Speakers
Polk Audio RT55i
Rear Height Speakers
Polk Audio RT35i
Subwoofers
Dual JTR 118HT
Other Speakers
miniDSP 2x4 HD
Video Display Device
Samsung UN60H6350
I'm one of those that don't stream, rather I purchase music as I have for many years. In 2014 after I retired, I ripped all of my CDs to FLAC files on my PC and started using JRiver for playback. Since then I've been purchasing/downloading hi-res music from HDTracks and prostudiomasters. I have also used JRiver to copy playlists to USB drives for listening in the car. As an old fart, I can't express how much I've appreciated how much the audio quality has improved since the days of 78 and 45 RPM records in the 50s and 60s!
 

aggielaw

Registered
Joined
Nov 13, 2018
Posts
1
Great to see all the replies here! I use an SOtM SMS-1000sq with roon and TIDAL. I also use HQPlayer integration to upscale to DSD512, but only for classical music, as I find that is the only genre that benefits from PCM to DSD conversion in my system.
 

Calypso

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jan 15, 2024
Posts
71
Streamer - Eversolo DMP-A6, ripped CDs on the local SSD

Music Services - Apple Music (Family Plan), Amazon Music (Prime member), Qobuz Subscription, Spotify

Listen to CDs and vinyl - gets me off the couchšŸ˜Š Vinyl path is analog all the way to the speakers, all other sources are room corrected using the MiniDSP FLEX.
 

MeJ

New Member
Joined
Feb 1, 2020
Posts
22
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
24 channel mixer
Main Amp
n/a
Other Amp
various
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
n/a
Front Speakers
JBL, Neuman, others
Center Channel Speaker
n/a
Surround Speakers
n/a
Surround Back Speakers
n/a
Subwoofers
Various
I can't conceive of being deaf enough to listen to vinyl again, except for transcription purposes. I suppose if my ears deteriorate enough to enjoy it -- it won't matter. I detest whole house music systems, I only use paid Tidal to keep an ear on new releases, and only listen in my studio. If I threw a party (unlikely as most of my previous friends and colleagues are dead or live more than 3000 miles away) I guess I could stream Tidal or Spotify to my yard system. Nowadays I tend to prefer silence overall... ;) My car is the main place I'd listen and I don't because my wife is almost entirely deaf, and as such music (with a lumpy bandwidth for her of about 2K) really disturbs her, so I refrain. There's no chance of streaming to my car in rural Spain in a valley with no 3g let alone 4g or higher, so I still use CDs or a re-broadcast device, when I am driving on my own.
 

Joe2521

Registered
Joined
May 19, 2021
Posts
1
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
Topping e30
Main Amp
Sony str-dh 190
DAC
Topping e30
Front Speakers
Klipsch RP-150M
I have a Wiim Pro conected via toslink to a Topping E50 running TRS to a Topping LA90. I use Tidal to stream flac now that they have stopped pushing MQA to the forefront.
 

infinite1der

Registered
Joined
Nov 11, 2020
Posts
1
Using a Wiim Pro to a Denafrips Venus 2 to a Schiit Freya+. I'm mostly using Amazon Music HD, but also have my NAS and occasionally stream from YouTube Music.
 

Jacques Bournival

New Member
Joined
Sep 11, 2017
Posts
3
While I enjoy listening to vinyl, I also stream music in various ways. We have HEOS for our whole-house background music, but we use Roon (Nucleus One) with subs to Tidal and Qobuz for more serious listening. The main listening and theater room uses a StormAudio MK3 processor. Other listening rooms have a WiiM Ultra and Eversolo DMP-A6 to access Roon. We have Amazon Music Unlimited, but we rarely use it. I've tried iTunes, but I've stuck mostly with Tidal and Qobuz due to my Roon lifetime subscription and how well it organizes and integrates our local music with the streaming music library. Now that I'm retired, discovering new music and rediscovering old music has never been more fun.

How about you... if you stream music, what streamers and subscriptions do you use?
While I enjoy listening to vinyl, I also stream music in various ways. We have HEOS for our whole-house background music, but we use Roon (Nucleus One) with subs to Tidal and Qobuz for more serious listening. The main listening and theater room uses a StormAudio MK3 processor. Other listening rooms have a WiiM Ultra and Eversolo DMP-A6 to access Roon. We have Amazon Music Unlimited, but we rarely use it. I've tried iTunes, but I've stuck mostly with Tidal and Qobuz due to my Roon lifetime subscription and how well it organizes and integrates our local music with the streaming music library. Now that I'm retired, discovering new music and rediscovering old music has never been more fun.

How about you... if you stream music, what streamers and subscriptions do you use
 

Jacques Bournival

New Member
Joined
Sep 11, 2017
Posts
3
I have digitized (ALAC lossless) all my CDs and some cassette tapes to an Asustor NAS (12 TB). I use Plex (lifetime membership) to stream the music wherever I am. As a backup, I subscribe to Apple Music Match, from which I can stream to any Apple app (albeit at a lower quality). I started to buy digital music files a few years ago at up to 192kHz. To listen in my living room, I presently use my Apple TV to connect to the NAS and stream (Plex) to my Denon Amp; using the built-in DAC. I plan in the near future to change the Amp for a better one with an improved DAC or get a separate one. I do not subscribe to any music service, but I do listen to free public radio streams.
 
Top Bottom