You can hook an external what to anything?
No smart phone.
- Thread starter Morgan D
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You can hook an external what to anything?
Morgan D
Super Member
sorry, dac.
As regards using a dedicated streamer vs a pc or other device; the streamer is a purpose-built computer, and will ostensibly perform its functions better. No messing with bitrates, experimenting with audio settings, figuring out how to stop any processing the OS is doing, etc.
Also, note that a streamer can access music from streaming services and also from locally stored media. For example, I've got about 1200 CDs ripped to hard drives. These are accessed in the same way as getting music from a service...very seamless.
Also, note that a streamer can access music from streaming services and also from locally stored media. For example, I've got about 1200 CDs ripped to hard drives. These are accessed in the same way as getting music from a service...very seamless.
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I have a BlueSound Node and control it exclusively from a Windows 10 PC, (definitely no need for a laptop). I also have a smart phone, which has the Android App for the Bluesound installed, but I never use it for this, as I regard this as only a backup. I also don't bring Bluetooth into the equation as I have no use for it.
Morgan D
Super Member
I really have no need for anything wireless either. TV and volume remote is all I have.
Both the desktop PC and the Bluesound are hard wired to the network, I could easily connect both to the network via WiFi, but I am happy with it as it is.
No, as said above, PC and Bluesound are connected to my service provider Router via cables. You need to have an Internet connection for the Bluesound - as its primary function is streaming from the Internet.
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No I don't think so, I think that would depend on the speed of your WiFi Internet connection, which as you may know can vary continuously. Hard wired of course uses no WiFi bandwidth and has a much more stable connection speed. I have several other WiFi devices around the house, so I just wanted to spread the load a bit, however hard wired is more secure. Wifi coverage in my house is a bit spotty for some reason, that was another reason for going hard wired.
This very question was discussed a short time ago here on AK - IIRC the consensus was that the bandwidth used for streaming was generally low enough not to be an issue.
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The steamer is connected to your local network, either wired or wirelessly.
The control device is also connected to your local network, either wired or wirelessly. You can have multiple control devices.
For example, I have my streamer's control app loaded on my hard-wired desktop PC, my wife's laptop, my Android smartphone, her Apple smartphone, and an Android tablet. When we want to change the music, turn it on or off, search for music, turn it down, etc, we use whichever device is handy.
The control device communicates with the streamer over the local network. Both can connect to the local network (your router) physically or wirelessly.
I assume you have a local network (a router) in your home, and you have a computer.
Get a streamer. Connect it to your network, wired or wirelessly, and connect its output to your stereo system (or alternatively to an external DAC, with its output connected to your stereo system).
Download the streamer's control app to your computer.
Subscribe to a streaming service that's supported by your streamer.
Done.
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Morgan D
Super Member
yes. I was just establishing in my mind that he had the whole chain hardwired.
Wired to the network, not to each other.
Or stated another way...connected to one another via the network.
Note that if using an external DAC, it will be physically connected; input from streaming device, output to stereo system. If instead using the DAC in the streamer, the streamer's output is physically connected to stereo system and its input is via the local network.
Point being that in all scenarios, there is a physical connection between the stereo system and the analog output of either the streamer or the external DAC.
Additionally, in all scenarios the link between the streamer and the control device will be via the network...vs a direct link.
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Morgan D
Super Member
Spark1, this is all very new to me. I have been dwelling in the analog world 95% of the time. Two years ago I didn't even know what a DAC was. I finally tried to improve my CD SQ by getting a SMSL M100 . So all your info is very helpful. There is no way for you to know just how little of this I understand. But I am trying.
Maybe it will help to think of the pieces as building blocks.
Note also that the control device and the streamer may be connected to the local network on a wired or wireless basis.
Finally, note that a DAC is needed to convert the digital music sent by the music service to an analog signal. This DAC may be in the streaming device, or may be external to the streaming device.
Computers, phones, tablets and most dedicated streamers have built in DACs. Getting the resulting analog output signal to your stereo system requires a wired connection (usually via RCA interconnection cables).
Alternatively, the built-in DAC can be bypassed in favor of an external DAC. This requires a wired connection* between the computer, phone, tablet or dedicated streamer and the external DAC. As above, the resulting analog signal is fed to your stereo system with analog interconnect cables (usually RCA).
* this connection may be coax, optical or USB, depending upon the devices being used
Final note: while there may be 3rd party work-arounds, the WiiM app is designed to operate only on iOS or Android. In other words, you cannot use a Windows computer as its control device (at least not without some amount of fiddling, additional software, etc). Additionally, WiiM assumes that the control device will be connected to the local network wirelessly.
There are cheap Android tablets available, and as several of us have mentioned it shouldn't be too hard to find an old smartphone that someone has lying in a drawer. Heck, there are two here in my desk right now! Any of these will have a wireless capability.
- Streaming service (Tidal, Spotify, Amazon, etc) - this is your music library
- Internet connection - your connection to the library
- Local network - the means by which local devices connect to the internet and to each other
- Streamer - the interface to the streaming service
- Control device - the means by which you control the streamer.
Note also that the control device and the streamer may be connected to the local network on a wired or wireless basis.
Finally, note that a DAC is needed to convert the digital music sent by the music service to an analog signal. This DAC may be in the streaming device, or may be external to the streaming device.
Computers, phones, tablets and most dedicated streamers have built in DACs. Getting the resulting analog output signal to your stereo system requires a wired connection (usually via RCA interconnection cables).
Alternatively, the built-in DAC can be bypassed in favor of an external DAC. This requires a wired connection* between the computer, phone, tablet or dedicated streamer and the external DAC. As above, the resulting analog signal is fed to your stereo system with analog interconnect cables (usually RCA).
* this connection may be coax, optical or USB, depending upon the devices being used
Final note: while there may be 3rd party work-arounds, the WiiM app is designed to operate only on iOS or Android. In other words, you cannot use a Windows computer as its control device (at least not without some amount of fiddling, additional software, etc). Additionally, WiiM assumes that the control device will be connected to the local network wirelessly.
There are cheap Android tablets available, and as several of us have mentioned it shouldn't be too hard to find an old smartphone that someone has lying in a drawer. Heck, there are two here in my desk right now! Any of these will have a wireless capability.
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Crazy Gnome
Learn how to Love and forget how to hate
Your Dac is fine. I would Definitely keep it for now. If you want to upgrade later by all means do so.
Your Dac will work with windows 7 however that clock is ticking. Spotify works with Win 7 but for how much longer?
I would strongly recommend you aim for one of the Hi-res companies such as Amazon ,Quboz , or Tidal.
Your internet has to be a minimum of 10mbs for Amazon. Amazon music will not work with win 7.
You can test internet speed on whatever device you are using to connect to AK. Just google internet speed test.
What are you using to view AK?
Laptop< Dac<to Amplifier is my current setup.
You may want to consider using your budget for a newer laptop that runs Windows 10 or 11 .Doesn't need to be powerful. Basically plug and play with the very capable Dac you already have.
Keep it as simple as possible.
.
Your Dac will work with windows 7 however that clock is ticking. Spotify works with Win 7 but for how much longer?
I would strongly recommend you aim for one of the Hi-res companies such as Amazon ,Quboz , or Tidal.
Your internet has to be a minimum of 10mbs for Amazon. Amazon music will not work with win 7.
You can test internet speed on whatever device you are using to connect to AK. Just google internet speed test.
What are you using to view AK?
Laptop< Dac<to Amplifier is my current setup.
You may want to consider using your budget for a newer laptop that runs Windows 10 or 11 .Doesn't need to be powerful. Basically plug and play with the very capable Dac you already have.
Keep it as simple as possible.
.
I have an old W7 laptop in my workshop, with a Maverick DAC and WiFi connection to my network. Amazon HD works just fine with the W7 OS (well, as fine as Amazon HD gets).
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Morgan D
Super Member
I have a modern cheap chrome book lap top. I stream upstairs with that using the smsl. I was just trying to use one of my old laptops to stream on my main hi fi to just see if that would work first. I will most likely get an old phone and the wiim streamer and then get a better dac for my main system downstairs.
Crazy Gnome
Learn how to Love and forget how to hate
You could use the Chromebook with the Dac now -as long as you have the correct cables- just to see if you like it.
