McIntosh Music Streamer ?

7.62

7.62

Infinity nutcase.
I’m not real familiar with the whole music streamer deal, my son says it would be a nice addition to the stack so I started looking, of course the one I kinda like has three zeros behind the first digit. I’m posting just to get a feel for what you guys are doing in this arena. I’ve gotta bogie so when I get home I’ll post the model I was looking at for basic streaming.

I’m sure there’s plenty of options, my only requirement is that it is a McIntosh piece.

So what options do I have, or would you recommend.
 
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Although well out of my depth on music streaming it is my understanding that the format precludes really high quality audio. Using $$$$ gear may be unworthy? Like using fine racehorse to plow or a $$$$$ set of copper pots when all you do is boil water.
 
I sold my turntables--listening to Tidal is so much more convenient for me and the sound quality is fantastic. I use a lowly Chromecast audio via optical into a stand alone DAC (MHDT dac). I can control the stream through the Tidal app from my cell phone from anywhere in the house, and it does high resolution audio formats--I think the Chromecast Audio tops out at 96/24 resolution, which is pretty good, though Tidal offers some albums in true high-resolution format of up to 192/24. If I had more dough, I think a McIntosh MB50 would do the job extremely well in a one-box format.
 
I use a Teac NT-505. Top end sound quality. Owners manual sucks. Teac service sucks.
National service centers are very good.
Especially Adams Electronics in California.
The quality of sound at this price point was why I went with the Teac. Once fully set up it’s not difficult. It’s just the initial hook up and getting things started that can be a pain.
 
I use a Chromecast Audio with my Mcintosh setup. Control it with your phone and sounds pretty good for the price of roughly $40. Problem is they dont make them anymore, might get lucky and find one on the auction site.
 
McIntosh makes a bluetooth adapter that is like $500 - cheap for McIntosh but expensive for a bluetooth. That is where I would be looking if I wanted to stay within the brand. My personal opinion on these it that there are a lot of companies that do streaming better (check out the new stuff from Hi-Fi Rose).

-Geoff
 
Bluetooth is really not designed for high-quality audio, and can't give you the resolution that justifies a McIntosh system (my opinion). However, streaming audio can run from playing Christmas music throughout the house to critical listening in front of your speakers in their "sweet-spot".

The question then is: What would you like to accomplish with the setup?
 
Bluesound Node 2i into my MDA1000. You can hide the little node anywhere so it just looks like a Mac only system if you choose;-).

Liked it so much I started hunting down used Node 2s and now have 4 around the house. Advantage over Bluetooth is the Node does all the heavy lifting leaving your phone free to do other things . Doesn't run the battery down and you can still make phone calls while the music plays.

Jblnut
 
I use a Bluesound Node (2021) and it’s hidden in my McIntosh light box with my Sonos Port. ;)

I have no desire to use McIntosh streamer either PlayFi.
 
If you must have McIntosh and primarily want to stream from one of the music services (Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz, etc.), the McIntosh MB50 will fit the bill nicely. Excellent sound quality within any McIntosh system. For less money, the Bluesound Node2 or Cambridge Audio CXN (V2) should top your list.
 
Thank you for sharing your thoughts everyone, the $500 McIntosh is was what I was looking at. As far as sound quality I guess it does matter, I’m not really familiar with any of it in those terms. This is more for one of my boys that’s just moved in with us so he can stream from his phone into my system.

He’s not the critical listener, I don’t think he cares to much other than being to play what he wants when we’re not around. Like a lot of this younger generation he does everything from his phone.

So I found the McIntosh, it’s the MB20 Bluetooth Model, do you guys know if that would be adequate ? He has a Samsung, the wife and I have the IPhones. So it would pickup the signal from these ?

I’ll take a look at the other models and the nodes too. And I’d be plugging into my C31V so I have no idea if that changes the sound quality.
 
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The implied prerequisites are a decently fast and reliable WiFi network in your house that is connected to the Internet at a decent rate and a computer or smart phone also on your WiFi for control.

With that, to start streaming you need a network streamer, a DAC and a streaming service subscription.

The Network streamer is a hardware box that connects to your WiFi to access the streaming service via the internet and it provides as output a digital signal (optical, coax or USB) that you connect to the DAC.

The DAC converts that digital signal to analog stereo that you connect to your pre-amp via normal RCA interconnects.

Free streaming services are available although I think those are provided at lower bit rates (less or far less than CD quality) and may include commercials. For high-quality sound as appropriate from Mc gear, a high res streaming service should be used. I prefer Qobuz as their library is all at CD quality or better but you can shop around.


The network streaming and DAC hardware can be done in a bunch of different ways some of which are listed in the posts above. Your smart phone or computer can do both functions with various levels of quality but separate units as listed above will likely give better results. Given good WiFi (or Ethernet) connections, I suspect the quality of the DAC is the most important item for setting streaming sound quality (but not sure there is universal consensus on that).

If you meet the prerequisites, I also recommend the Blue Node as a starting point. It is one hardware box with both a network streamer and a DAC. It has connections to use it as a stand-alone streamer used with a different DAC (e.g. post #8 above) if you already have a DAC or wish in the future to upgrade to a DAC external to the Blue Node.

To use the Blue Node you need to download the free BluOS control software (also used by NAD streamers) to your smart phone (or computer or both). Then plug the stereo audio outputs to your preamp and run the control app to get started and control the music.

You'll need to go to the website of the streaming service(s) you choose to set up the subscription and an account (could be more than one). You can then go to the BluOS app and set up to stream from those services using the account information. Then your going.

I like the Blue Node because it is relatively inexpensive, provides all the necessary functions, runs BluOS software which relatively well written and supported (i.e. by NAD and Blue Sound) and easy to use, can also be used with Roon software ("Roon Ready"), can be used with a "better" external DAC as an upgrade, and can be resold relatively easily. (In your situation, I would not worry about Roon but it is good to know that your network streamer will support Roon should you go that way in the future.)

I have not tried other hardware approaches (like some listed above) so cannot comment on them relative to Blue Node.

The MB50 looks to be a similar product to the Blue Nude but runs the Play-Fi software. I don't know how that compares to BluOS nor how the sound quality compares. (I use Roon which does not appear to be supported by the MB50, so that's a show-stopper for me.)

Note that neither the Blue Node nor the MB50 have digital USB outputs for use with a USB DAC.

Any corrections or clarifications are welcome.
 
I use the Bluesound Node. I run the signal to an external dac but the dac in the Node is no slouch, so you don't have to have another dac. Your wifi quality is important. Until recently upgrading my wifi plan I would have occasional drop outs with the Node when streaming Qobuz. After the wifi upgrade, I have no problems. BTW, You can stream extremely high resolutions with Qobuz or Tidal.
 
I prefer to use a laptop.

Internet -> Laptop (Spotify Premium preferred) USB out -> DAC/Preamp -> amplifier

This gives anyone with the Spotify ap on their phone the control (search, play, FF/Rew/pause, volume), or direct input at the laptop keyboard (wife finds it easier BIGGER), plus the HDMI out on the laptop lets it display on the nearby TV. Typically when listening I control it remotely with my iPad.

Very simple, very effective, plus the CD drive on the laptop allows CD playing, also have my music library ripped to the laptop hard-drive which is also remote-controllable from cell-phones. I've used more complicated setups, but this works well for me and my listening.

If you have a modern Mc preamp you can go directly in via USB as I do. If an older preamp without digital inputs you will need to either buy a DAC, or if your listening via this method doesn't require high-def listening (and it sounds like yours doesn't) you can connect with the AUDIO OUT from the laptop (or other computer, your choice) to the LINE IN on your preamp, any AUX or CD in will work.
 
7.62 said:
Thank you for sharing your thoughts everyone, the $500 McIntosh is was what I was looking at. As far as sound quality I guess it does matter, I’m not really familiar with any of it in those terms. This is more for one of my boys that’s just moved in with us so he can stream from his phone into my system.

He’s not the critical listener, I don’t think he cares to much other than being to play what he wants when we’re not around. Like a lot of this younger generation he does everything from his phone.

So I found the McIntosh, it’s the MB20 Bluetooth Model, do you guys know if that would be adequate ?
Click to expand...

I have the MB20 and love it. Everyone can stream from their phone (iPhones here) or iPads. I also like the MB20 because it connects to my Apple TV, this is awesome for movies or streamed concerts!

I am sure there are cheaper options out there, but the MB20 Always just works, no finicky issues. For WAF, that’s gold.
 
I’ve got the high speed Internet stuff so we’re covered there, and Thank you for laying out the info ! Super helpful ! For a dinosaur like me. You guys are the best :thumbsup:. I’ll be ordering the MB20 today.
 
I use the MB 50 for streaming music from my computer to the stereo system. I had used an Airport Express from Apple previously using Apple Airplay with a digital connection thru my MCD 550, but the MB 50 feeding the C-34 directly does a better job. Shop around you should be able to find a better price. Not much but every nickel counts. Don't mention my name when you call Audio Classics Steve may double the price. He says he needs to make up the money some how as I am such a cheapskate.

That why I do business with him. He has a great since of humor and we have known each other for years and years. Plus he warrants what he sells and delivers more for the dollar than you have a right to expect.
 
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