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Streaming/Internet Radio Hardware

meyersihm

meyersihm

Member
I would like to add an internet radio source to my main system. Current hardware is a PS Audio DSD DAC, PS Audio Transport, PS Audio BHK Amp & Preamp. Speakers are Sonus Faber Liutos.

I find the system is pretty underutilized and both my wife and I would like to make it more useful by being able to play internet radio through it. Obviously I need another piece of hardware to do that but what? I almost bought a Grace Digital IRDT200 which sounded like it had everything I'd need including a digital out so I can route audio through my DSD and bypass their cheap analog stage. It was cheap enough (~$200) but in researching it I found many complaints about its wi-fi connection frequently dropping out. Sangean has what looks like a decent internet tuner (slightly more money) but it's only got analog outputs. The next step up from those that I can find are Mac or Magnum Dynalab tuners for $3-$5k.

Does anyone know of any other options? The ability to control station selection from the device itself is not critical. I don't mind changing stations through my main p.c. This just seems so much easier for video where I've got Rokus and/or Chromecasts on every TV in the house.

Thanks very much for the help.
 
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Thanks. What kind of outputs does it have? Is there a digital out? I couldn't see one in looking at the pictures online. I'd prefer to you the PS Audio DAC to do the D/A conversion.

The Chromecast is a good size. Kind of out of space on my rack. My only concern would be if I am casting audio to it I imagine I couldn't get audio on the PC at the same time. Could I cast any internet audio stream to it like I cast internet video to my current chromecast device?
 
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I don't think so and it's in another room. The main system is in the living room. It looks like the Chromecast audio might have a USB out. It's hard to see, maybe a mini-A. The DAC has a whole range of inputs including Toslink and USB in addition to HDMI
 
Well if the DAC has HDMI inputs that opens up a whole world of possibilities. Roku is another option, although I was an early adopter of the latest streaming stick - I actually preordered it - and I'm disappointed that it seems to have bricked itself after what's her face took it on an out of town interview. Not just for internet radio but all sorts of good stuff. At home I use it plugged into the back of an Oppo 103 for the bedroom system, so it gets used for internet radio, Amazon video, Netflix, Comcast Sports Net (for Pens games), Spotify, all sorts of stuff.

Sometimes, though, plugging my laptop into an AVR with a HDMI cable is the easiest most hassle free way to get what I want on the screen/in my ears quickly.
 
meyersihm said:
Thanks. What kind of outputs does it have? Is there a digital out? I couldn't see one in looking at the pictures online. I'd prefer to you the PS Audio DAC to do the D/A conversion.
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CCA and Airport Express have TOSLINK optical (digital) output although their internal DACs are pretty respectable. Many apps will allow you to stream via these two hardware devices.
 
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Thanks for all the replies. I have 3 ROKUs now, on the 3 TV sets in the house. I have a Chromecast on one of the sets as well. The ROKU casting software was always buggy for me which is why I bought the Chromecast to begin with. I use the ROKU in the HT setup to stream HD movies from my PC through Plex. The other thing that bugs me abour Roku is they have always had issues with decoding DTS.

I try to avoid Apple products wherever possible. I have a problem with the way they do business. My wife has gotten f****d over by them on music she purchased when we couldn't recall the password on an old account (I think it had been hacked). She lost like $500 worth of i-Tunes music.
 
meyersihm said:
Thanks for all the replies. I have 3 ROKUs now, on the 3 TV sets in the house. I have a Chromecast on one of the sets as well. The ROKU casting software was always buggy for me which is why I bought the Chromecast to begin with. I use the ROKU in the HT setup to stream HD movies from my PC through Plex. The other thing that bugs me abour Roku is they have always had issues with decoding DTS.

I try to avoid Apple products wherever possible. I have a problem with the way they do business. My wife has gotten f****d over by them on music she purchased when we couldn't recall the password on an old account (I think it had been hacked). She lost like $500 worth of i-Tunes music.
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Well, that's unfortunate. Apple Music is an excellent source of content but if you want to avoid Apple, I understand. Many other apps support Airport Express (and other hardware vendors who build AE-compatible devices such as GGMM Freebox). Sounds like CCA, presumably with Android, is how you could proceed.
 
Basically all I really want to do is stream HD internet radio to my main system. There are a couple of good Jazz & Classical stations I listen to when I am at my desk. If I could find a good HD standards station (Sinatra, Ella, Torme, etc.) I'd be all set.

How do I hook the Chromecast to the DAC? From the specs it looks like there's a mini toslink connection but I couldn't see it in any of the photos.
 
I would love to have a CD player form factor CD/DVD-A/SACD player, Hard drive based server, USB and SD card slots up front, and USB3 connectors in the rear. Music server reasonably priced which plays all digital audio formats up to DSD. One component, I also want a streaming component built in. And RCA out.
 
meyersihm said:
Basically all I really want to do is stream HD internet radio to my main system. There are a couple of good Jazz & Classical stations I listen to when I am at my desk. If I could find a good HD standards station (Sinatra, Ella, Torme, etc.) I'd be all set.

How do I hook the Chromecast to the DAC? From the specs it looks like there's a mini toslink connection but I couldn't see it in any of the photos.
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Correct. The 3.5 mm jack is both analog and optical out. You'll need a mini TOSLINK to TOSLINK cable.
 
Rockyhill said:
Correct. The 3.5 mm jack is both analog and optical out. You'll need a mini TOSLINK to TOSLINK cable.
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That's what I'll do then. Thanks very much.

Just saying to the wife, for a 55 year old guy I have a pretty good knowledge of wireless audio (especially compared to my peers) but I am still a generation behind the younger folks. I know many audiophiles that no longer have CD players but I still can't cut the cord yet.
 
I use the Grace Reciva Mondo to play internet radio. The Mondo has analog outputs only. What I have done is to buy an analog to digital converter box for $15 to $20 on Amazon. This will give you the digital outputs you need to run to a DAC. The Mondo can be purchased for around $160.

I haven't had any wifi connection problems. The interface to load stations could be better. There is no middle ground it seems. You can choose an expensive Magnum Dynalab for a couple of thousand dollars or go lower tech and lower price with something like the Grace.
 
meyersihm said:
That's what I'll do then. Thanks very much.

Just saying to the wife, for a 55 year old guy I have a pretty good knowledge of wireless audio (especially compared to my peers) but I am still a generation behind the younger folks. I know many audiophiles that no longer have CD players but I still can't cut the cord yet.
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No reason to cut the cord, just add new options for listening! Here's the original CCA thread started by Chicks:

http://audiokarma.org/forums/index....t-audio-stick-to-be-announced-tuesday.681812/

Will be 60 in 7 weeks...
 
meyersihm said:
Thanks. What kind of outputs does it have? Is there a digital out? I couldn't see one in looking at the pictures online. I'd prefer to you the PS Audio DAC to do the D/A conversion.

The Chromecast is a good size. Kind of out of space on my rack. My only concern would be if I am casting audio to it I imagine I couldn't get audio on the PC at the same time. Could I cast any internet audio stream to it like I cast internet video to my current chromecast device?
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You point the CCA to the app that you want it to stream from - it's independant from your PC. You can stream other content to your PC simultaneously. All these options are mind-spinning!
 
meyersihm said:
Thanks for all the replies. I have 3 ROKUs now, on the 3 TV sets in the house. I have a Chromecast on one of the sets as well. The ROKU casting software was always buggy for me which is why I bought the Chromecast to begin with. I use the ROKU in the HT setup to stream HD movies from my PC through Plex. The other thing that bugs me abour Roku is they have always had issues with decoding DTS.

I try to avoid Apple products wherever possible. I have a problem with the way they do business. My wife has gotten f****d over by them on music she purchased when we couldn't recall the password on an old account (I think it had been hacked). She lost like $500 worth of i-Tunes music.
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There are third party products, I know a few are mentioned in the Apple Music thread, that use Airplay and are not made by Apple. A few of them also include DLNA. The problem with Chromecast is that it is app specific. It is not a good source for online material generated from a computer. A combination of Airfoil (a third party app) and one of these Airplay devices will send any audio from your computer to the Airplay device.
 
meyersihm said:
Basically all I really want to do is stream HD internet radio to my main system. There are a couple of good Jazz & Classical stations I listen to when I am at my desk. If I could find a good HD standards station (Sinatra, Ella, Torme, etc.) I'd be all set.
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Might want to install the TuneIn app on your phone/tablet, then Chromecast The Jonathan Channel. Jonathan Schwartz knows Sinatra's music better than just about anyone.
 
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