-
Please note that there are a few updates and clarifications made in the Audiokarma Rules, mostly relating to advertising and the addition of the new "Paying it Forward" & "Giving back" forums in the AudioKarma Audio Marketplace section.
High Res through vintage receiver, Good or bad?
benricci
Super Member
let's make it easy on you: Tidal + BlueSound Node + your Pioneer receiver will sound great and will be simple to use. Enjoy!
Garret86
Member
Join audiokarma they said , you will learn stuff they said
the skipper
Professional Curmudgeon
Actually, the question was answered to OP's satisfaction in the first ten posts. after that, the cockwombles hijacked the thread,
I think you will like the Node. Just be aware that levels of integration with various streaming services differ. I would say that their integration with Tidal is their best. Quobuz too. Not as good with Amazon HD (Amazon wants people to buy their devices). For Spotify, there is no integration...instead, you use the Spotify interface...the Bluesound is "only" a streamer in this case. You are not using the Bluesound interface at all.
I actually wish that this was an option with all of the streaming services that Bluesound supports...that is, to choose between using the Bluesound interface and the native interface of the service.
EDIT: To be clear, I am talking about the interface, not sound quality. For example, Amazon HD sound quality is no different with the Node vs the Amazon interface.
I actually wish that this was an option with all of the streaming services that Bluesound supports...that is, to choose between using the Bluesound interface and the native interface of the service.
EDIT: To be clear, I am talking about the interface, not sound quality. For example, Amazon HD sound quality is no different with the Node vs the Amazon interface.
Last edited:
Garret86
Member
I’ve used Spotify for a long time now, is it worth switching to Tidal if I get the bluesound node , that was my plan.
benricci
Super Member
Possibly in the short term, but keep in mind Spotify will be rolling out lossless streaming this year, too.
So if you're already digging their ecosystem and library, you'll be able to stream in higher quality through Spotify very shortly. It's unclear, however, if they plan to offer hi-res audio like Tidal or Apple Music, or simply 16/44.1 lossless, so keep an eye on that for developments.
If you do decide to switch to Tidal to access their hi-res content, the BlueSound Node will be able to handle their MQA content, so no worries there.
In my experience, lossless streaming provides better sound quality than lossy. I like the Spotify interface and discovery algorithms...to me, ithey are the best of all the streaming services, by far. So I frequently use Spotify to easily discover and save new-to-me music. But I find that listening to it through a decent high fidelity stereo system gets on my nerves over time...the sound is just not right to my ears.
That said, I suspect that Amazon HD is doing some kind of range compression (NOT file compression) or equalization...it sounds a bit boosted to me vs the same lossless file ripped from CD and played through the Bluesound from my hard drive. Tidal has its own slightly different sound quality...assumedly a function of MQA processing. Quobuz, so far, has sounded the most "un-processed" of the services I've tried.
BTW, the Node's "local streaming" functionality (from your own storage device) works wonderfully...if that's something that is of interest to you.
I'm looking forward to trying Spotify's lossless service option, if they ever get it rolled out.
Garret86
Member
I
Is there a cheaper option then the node that does all the same things? I’m more concerned with convenient streaming integration then hi res quality.
benricci
Super Member
One super easy and cheap route would be to buy a small external DAC like the Schiit Modi ($99) or Topping E30 ($149) and then plug your phone or laptop into that via USB, stream hi-quality music from your favorite app (like Spotify, Apple, Tidal, whatever), and then send the output from the DAC to your Pioneer's aux input using RCA cables.
The BlueSound does offer more functionality and nice networking options, but if you're headed to college, my guess is your phone or laptop will always be on your desk anyway, so it might be a bit overkill for your needs.
Garret86
Member
I’m looking for a streamer though , I need my laptop and phone to be free for school so I can jam while studying.
benricci
Super Member
I mean, network streamers don't get much cheaper than the BlueSound, so I was trying to offer some lower-cost alternative solutions since price is a concern.
Is there a reason you can't have Spotify streaming on your laptop or phone while you are studying? Any modern phone and laptop are more than capable of multi-tasking so performance shouldn't be an issue if you'd be using them as the streamer in this scenario.
Garret86
Member
I’m renting an apartment and my stereo setup is in the living room and my desk is in the kitchen, so I’d need a giant cord I guess.
benricci
Super Member
I get it. So we can circle back to Bluetooth options again, if hi-res isn't as important to you as we had originally thought.
Something like the AudioEngine B1 is an excellent choice at about $150, if you can't afford the BlueSound. Lossy audio aside, they can sound pretty damn good if fed decent source material. And range is about 100 feet.
Or you can check out the WiFi version which I do believe can do hi-resolution, the model name is the B-Fi. Similar price, I believe. Maybe a few bucks more. I'm assuming your apartment will have good wifi for this.
The B-Fi does work well with both Spotify and Tidal, from what I've read.
If you are going to stay with lossy services, I would suggest using a computer or phone with analog out (headphone jack) and plugging it in to your Pioneer. If you are looking for wireless convenience, get a cheap Bluetooth receiver and plug it into your Pioneer, then stream to it via tablet, phone, etc...any device with Bluetooth.
If you are a DIY'er, search "audiokarma raspberry Pi streamer". Use it with a cheap DAC.
Or see here:
https://www.audioglorye.com/best-budget-hi-fi-music-streamers/
I've been thinking about buying one of those $50 Dayton streamers just to see how they perform. I believe it can output either analog (no external DAC needed) or digital (for use with an external DAC).
Garret86
Member
Okay thank you , what changed my mind is today at a showroom I Demo’d a bluesound on a 20,000 setup and compared it directly with my laptop as a source , bluesound on high res with tidal , and my MacBook Pro with an aux cord on Spotify , and I could barely tell the difference, now I don’t have the experience that a lot of you have so that’s what changed my mind about but high res and why I don’t think I need it
benricci
Super Member
You're young, you've got plenty of time to upgrade your components over the years. Start with the best you can, and just enjoy the music. The dirty little secret most audiophiles don't want to admit is that the vast majority of people can't tell the difference between lossless, hi-res and 320kbps lossy files, anyway. Shhh....don't tell anyone!
Here's a video from John Darko on hi-res in 2021 that you may or may not find useful (and entertaining).
It's always funny to see an audiophile denigrate those OTHER audiophiles (the ones who don't share his particular beliefs).
Garret86
Member
The audioengine B-FI seems like a good option for me , do people here like it?
benricci
Super Member
Not sure if anyone around here has it. I've used the B1 before (the bluetooth version) and it was great. Super simple to use (idiot proof), excellent sound quality and it's very small so it doesn't take up any space. I'd imagine the B-Fi is much the same.