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2 Options for new streaming setup

C

chakmo

New Member
Hi all,

I'm looking into buying a Yamaha R-N303. Looks like a great little value system for many formats/streaming. My question is:

For playing back lossless audio from a device, and also for streaming high quality Spotify and Tidal: Do you think it would be better (or worse, or the same) to use the

  • Option 1 The Yamaha Musiccast capabilities in the R-N303 (along with it's internal Burr-Brown 192kHz/24-bit DAC) (Total price $250)

OR

  • Option 2 A cheaper Yamaha receiver with similar amp specs, like the R-S202 (currently about $115), along with an external DAC like the Topping D30 (currently $120), running from Chromecast (currently $35 with about $10 to buy optical cable) (Total price ~$280)


The fact that the R-N303 would have everything in one nice box is very appealing, along with the fact that Yamaha Musiccast seems to support just about every service. But I am wondering if I'll notice better audio from the 2nd option. The amps in both receivers seem to have extremely similar specs.



 
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Built-in internet (whether wifi or ethernet port hardwired) is great. But in my case, I don't have a network receiver. I use three internet devices that plug into the HDMI ports of a home theater receiver. This is more like your Option 2. I use the Chromecast Audio device that sends the optical signal into the receiver and uses the receiver's DAC. Some people say the Chromecast Audio's DAC is not that great. I can't tell the difference.

Here are a couple of 2-channel receivers that have ALL of the digital inputs (HDMI, optical, coax):

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MTQ5UVK/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=IQ3PSL8URPAVQ&colid=6QEWVTDRACSJ&psc=0

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y15DWXZ/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=ITH0U80SIVZO4&colid=6QEWVTDRACSJ&psc=1

If you want to stay with a 2-channel system, these might be the thing for you.

Best wishes.
 
The Topping would be a way better DAC than the internal Yamaha. I'd go that route, but you'll have to add pieces to stream, etc.
 
At least the 2nd option would allow you to upgrade/switch out different components as you get the fever.
Especially when you want more power and want to just upgrade the receiver down the road.
 
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