macc
New Member
Posts: 6
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Post by macc on May 7, 2020 22:14:03 GMT
From an old guy trying to do something new:
I need some advice on digital streaming for an audio system. Right now my only sources are CD and vinyl. I’m thinking about an integrated amp that has a built-in DAC and USB input. What hardware and techniques are needed to get a data stream from an internet service (Tidal, etc.) to the amp via Wi-Fi (preferred) or Ethernet? Many of the products I’ve seen for consumer audio have both DAC and streaming in one box, but I won’t need the extra DAC.
Also, if music is downloaded to a computer or other storage, how can that be streamed later to the amp? Finally, if downloaded music is protected by digital rights management will that prevent the amp from playing it when streamed from the PC?
As you can see I’m a neophyte in this area. I grasp the fundamentals of sampling, quantizing, etc.; just haven’t tried to put it to use.
Thanks for your time!
Mac
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Post by Hexspa on May 7, 2020 22:50:46 GMT
I'm not precisely sure but Denon makes the AVR-S750H which seems to satisfy your needs with WiFi and wireless streaming for Pandora, Spotify and Tidal. The guess I'll hazard is that the manufacturer should make your requirements clear on their product page. That Denon is about $500 which doesn't seem too bad for what you get. It's definitely a more elegant solution than trying to tack on peripherals to a 'dumb' receiver like the old one I have.
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Post by rock on May 8, 2020 0:08:42 GMT
Also, if music is downloaded to a computer or other storage, how can that be streamed later to the amp? Finally, if downloaded music is protected by digital rights management will that prevent the amp from playing it when streamed from the PC? Interesting question, I have limited knowledge about this too but I'll hazard an educated guess: Streaming, by definition, precludes downloading whereby you "Own" a digital copy residing somewhere in your system. I don't know what kind of copy safeguards the "Streamed audio/video Owner" has in place but I'll guess they don't want you to copy it. Now since you do "own" media files; MP3s, Wav etc. (vinyl, cassette and CD too) you don't need to "Stream" them as such to your playback system. Since I assume your system is in your home, you can connect via wire, optical cable, Bluetooth etc. or even "sneaker net" with a USB drive... This is just my 2 cents so maybe someone else will provide corrections, confirmation or details. |
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macc
New Member
Posts: 6
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Post by macc on May 8, 2020 16:04:29 GMT
Rock, I might not be formulating the issue correctly. Breaking the matter down into separate points:
1. I was thinking of what would happen if you legitimately download a file onto your PC, then later try to get that data to your stereo which is in a different room. The amp I'm considering has a DAC, so the issue is how to get the data to it.
2. In a related issue, how to get real time stream to the amp (e.g., TIDAL, Amazon).
3. As to ownership of the music, I have a Marantz CD that will play USB flash drives, but not if certain digital rights management are in place. So I figured perhaps the same would apply to the DAC in the amp. Perhaps this would never come up; just asking.
Hexspa, Thanks for info on the Denon. I've found some Yamaha and Marantz that also have the WiFi built in. But I have another issue in that none of them have a midrange control (my ears need some EQ ability). One Marantz amplifier product does have a midrange and a DAC but it can't WiFi. So I was thinking use that amp if there's a reasonably easy way to get data to it.
Thanks for the help
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Post by rock on May 8, 2020 17:46:08 GMT
Hexspa or someone else may have more details but I'll try to fill in what I know.
Using WIFi, I never sent media in real time (I guess you would call that streaming) from computer (or phone etc) to a play back system. I have of course sent files like MP3 and Wav via WiFi jus like you would other files. I imagine streaming files could work but I don't know how. Maybe your PC needs some app to do this. IDK.
Using Bluetooth, I have streamed media from my phone to car stereo and bluetooth speakers. This is the way I think a lot of local realtime audio connections are made. There are digital audio connections made via USB but that usually, AFAIK, requires a wire.
As far as playing MP3s from a flashdrive, I don't know of any kind of copy protection that will prevent you from playing back.
As usual, this is just my 2 cents so maybe someone else will provide corrections, confirmation or details.
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Post by rock on May 8, 2020 17:54:43 GMT
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Post by Hexspa on May 8, 2020 20:00:07 GMT
I don't know what you're trying to do, I think, because I don't do those things.
Most people I've seen will physically connect their phone to a loudspeaker device via the headphone out. Another option is getting a Network Attached Storage, NAS, device which is like a local cloud from which you can access shared files from a centralized device.
I always try to make things as simple as possible so my advice will always be 'do what's easiest for you to implement and understand.'
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macc
New Member
Posts: 6
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Post by macc on May 10, 2020 1:21:55 GMT
I appreciate the help – I’m just not able to describe it correctly. I feel sure there’s a gadget for this but I don’t know the name of it. I don’t want to take too much of your time. Here’s a final shot and maybe it will be more clear.
1. Suppose you have an integrated amplifier and it has a D/A converter built in. You are not using self-powered speakers.
2. In addition to analog inputs it has digital inputs such as USB, coaxial and optical, but no WiFi or Ethernet inputs.
3. Your amp is not near your computer nor your network. The network gateway has Ethernet and WiFi and Internet access.
4. What device is needed to get a digital data stream from the network into the amp so the amp’s D/A can convert it to an audio analog signal. This gadget doesn’t have a D/A of its own, but it can stream from the WiFi and pass the stream into the amp’s digital input.
This approach does add another piece of equipment. I had my eye on a particular amp which is like the one in the above example, but now I’m thinking Hexspa’s advice to get a receiver with everything already supplied might be the way to go.
Thanks so much; both of you have been very patient.
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Post by Hexspa on May 10, 2020 3:39:54 GMT
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Post by rock on May 10, 2020 16:03:14 GMT
This may be a stupid question but did you ask the seller or manufacturer? (Obviously and hopefully, you did not have this kind of operation in mind when you made your purchase.)
Alternately, can you run an actual wire from your computer? If you rent, can you ask your landlord? Or buy another computer (I have a couple of MacMini's they are easy to relocate when needed, can use a TV for a monitor etc.), put it next to your amp? (if you do this, you should test this with your current computer before you buy another one.)
So to sum up, from what you wrote, I would translate that into:
You want...
A.) a "black box" that receives a signal wirelessly from your computer (or router). The two wireless signals that I can think of are either WiFi or Bluetooth.
B.)The "blackbox" needs to have a wired output to your amp which can be either USB, Coax or Optical.
Besides a computer, I don't know what that is but I would suggest you search for a device with the above capabilities. I wish I had the answer but unfortunately, that's all I got. Maybe Hexspa's link above will help. Otherwise, unless someone else chimes in here, you're out of luck with us. I encourage to continue to scour the internet with searches. If/when you do find something, please let us know so we can help someone else with the same problem. If you give up if you can't find anything, let us know that TOO!!! We do this out of our interest in acoustics and audio so your feedback is appreciated.
Good Luck,
Rock
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Post by Hexspa on May 10, 2020 23:25:20 GMT
The late 2012 mac mini with a 2.3GHz i7 was what I had and it was very solid.
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