RE: Streamers- Probably the worst value in audio

Posted by Goober58 (A) on April 7, 2025 at 08:00:21

In Reply to: Streamers- Probably the worst value in audio posted by 1974 on April 5, 2025 at 08:01:06:

I replaced an RPi3 with an RPi4 a few years back because I wanted good sound quality and didn't want to pay extra for coax. The RPi3 was great sounding music player running Linux with monitor and keyboard attached and network services disabled. But to lose the keyboard and monitor those services were needed so enter the RPi4 because I wanted the to run a browser app (Moode in this case). Everything was fine with the RPi4 as an interface to a USB hard drive music library. Unfortunately I didn't want to continue the hassle of trying to get network streaming working and last October purchased a Cambridge MXN10 streamer with a StreamMagic app and support for both network and USB inputs.

I removed the RPi4 when the MXN10 came in. I also added a new preamp and some other interconnects since then. For $400 the MXN10 was worth it just to get lossless streaming working. The only comment on sound quality is that my digital system sounds better with the MXN10 but I can't say for sure it's because of the MXN10 or the preamp/interconnect changes. I am planning to put the RPi4 back into the system as the USB hard drive music library server but until then I'm not commenting on SQ differences other than what I've already said. I am using coax outputs on MXN10 and USB for the RPi4 and the NAD 1050 DAC will be serving to select which input gets sent to the preamp.

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Streamers- Probably the worst value in audio - 1974 08:01:06 04/05/25 (21)

My phone as the source sounds as good as my DMP-A6 - ppopp 19:47:00 04/22/25 (0)

RE: Streamers- Probably the worst value in audio - Goober58 08:00:21 04/07/25 (0)

The Cost of a Stand-Alone Streamer .. - cawson@onetel.com 10:35:58 04/06/25 (0)

Really shows how good the Pi is - Daveslater 09:36:16 04/06/25 (0)

RE: Streamers- Probably the worst value in audio - Grinnell 09:32:57 04/06/25 (0)

I recently bought a WiiM Ultra; it provides no added value for me - Feanor 04:46:21 04/06/25 (3)

Dirty Little Secret of Streamers - Jon L 09:36:56 04/06/25 (0)

RE: I recently bought a WiiM Ultra; it provides no added value for me - Kirk57 07:19:59 04/06/25 (1)

Invest $100 or so - E-Stat 07:29:34 04/06/25 (0)

Yes. Many network streamers are way over priced - AbeCollins 15:12:21 04/05/25 (1)

RE: Yes. Many network streamers are way over priced - kh6idf 16:10:30 04/05/25 (0)

First of all... - E-Stat 13:57:57 04/05/25 (1)

RE: First of all... - mike1127 23:44:24 04/26/25 (0)

RE: Streamers- Probably the worst value in audio - Gary 13:32:29 04/05/25 (0)

I have a Wiim Pro - jedrider 10:05:29 04/05/25 (1)

RE: I have a Wiim Pro - farfetched 12:31:19 04/05/25 (0)

RE: Streamers- Probably the worst value in audio - mlsstl 09:59:39 04/05/25 (3)

RE: Streamers- Probably the worst value in audio - AbeCollins 14:53:02 04/05/25 (2)

I found your card, Abe! - chocolate_lover 16:12:49 04/05/25 (1)

RE: I found your card, Abe! - AbeCollins 21:44:58 04/05/25 (0)

RE: Streamers- Probably the worst value in audio - Leo loves music 08:16:44 04/05/25 (0)

Follow Ups

RE: Streamers- Probably the worst value in audio - Goober58 08:00:21 04/07/25 (0)

RE: Streamers- Probably the worst value in audio

Post a Message!