This is a really fantastic video filled with practical advice for folks at different levels to help them achieve what they are looking for in a streaming solution. Totally agree on all points!
Keep up the great work with these videos. I love the detailed steps you take us through, that most content creators take for granted (depicting cable connections, for ex). Thanks!
Love the Onewheel Jay. I ride mine everyday. Also love all the obtainable reviews lately. I’ve been watching all you guys for the last year pretty hard and have not once heard someone say ddc. You are the best .
Jay! You just went to the top of my cool reviewers list! I'm an old sk8er. Still into my longboards. Love the 1 wheel! I don't listen while skating though. Too dangerous: have to keep an eye out for traffic on my hills in Montana :-)
Super inconvenient portable setup imo. Ill take a hit in sound quality when out and about for pure ease of use with spotify and wireless iems. At home Ill take the time and effort for better sq at home.
Surely it depends on how much time you spend out and about vs at home and how much you value sound quality? As far as portability is concerned it's about as good as you are going to get... I run the Q5S whilst out and its the size of a phone... all relative and personal I'd say.
I totally agree. I used wired headphones and earphones years ago, but outdoor, in my garden, travelling, walking or cycling, wires are a nuissance to me. Today, when I go out, or when I cook, l use wireless headphones or wireless earbuds. They're also not very expensive, so damage, loss or theft are not a very big deal. The phone in my pocket, and no hassle with wires and dangledongles. Indoor, in audiophile mode, seated..or when I'm dj-ing, wired headphones are the way to go. Talking about the dongle-dac in the first chapter: it's a missed opportunity that they didn't add a Lightning adapter as well besides the USB A/C adapters.
6:49 Are you suggesting that the audible noise from the mechanical moving parts of a computer somehow distort and add noise to a digital signal? Like ones and zeroes? Like what number is noise?
Like your content. Got multiple video recommendations to this YT channel, and I enjoyed them all. You brought some Hi-Fi topics lately I’m also into it. I’ve left a subs. 👍🏻
Thanks Jay, I'm a PC DAC guy although I'm interested in the separate streamer and separate DAC solution. Can you please cover this topic in more detail? 🙏
Just got a Stack Audio Link II as a roon endpoint and it's great. A nice step from going straight usb from my computer, and I'm not wasting money for an embedded dac that I wouldn't use
It depends very much upon the quality of the internal DAC in the phone and of the IEM, whether or not it gives a real sound quality improvement to add an external DAC. In my setup with a Samsung Galaxy S10 as primary source it's not necessary, the internal DAC does a very good job already.
QUESTION: I want Roon. I'm sold. I also want digital room correction. I also want to make sure the conversion to analogue is done well enough to remove listening fatigue. I was going to get a NAD M10 but that was before I learned about Roon. I don't want to open a computer to listen to music. Main reason I was drawn to the NAD was the Dirac room correction. I want simplicity. Ideas?
Jay, I use a DDC into my Pontus … I2S is really great. I recommend it, if you have a DAC that will accept it. I use a AQ Coffee USB from my mac mini. I’m very happy.
Jay, I enjoyed the video a lot, but I think to make it “complete” you should have also considered that most of the viewers in your channel have gone a long search for a better external DAC in their past audiophile journey, no matter if that was for their CD transport or digital transport. I don’t see any of them “giving up” their DAC to use the internal one of their streaming devices. So here’s the straight question (it only applies to the last use case, i.e. streaming in your main system): features aside, do you find all those streamers you showed/mentioned sonically equivalent when used as pure digital transports to your DAC of preference?
I think, Innuos zenmini mk3's onboard dac deserves some praise, too. I a/b'ed zenmini(with lpsu), lumin d2 and lindemann limetree. Zenmini's dac beat them having more body, wider sound stage and superior imaging with unanimous decision.
I think you should always have that reel-to-reel running behind you, even when talking about digital streaming... just because it looks so cool and makes me jealous.
Love your channel! You might want to have a look at the Shanling EM5, heard a lot of good things about it, would love for you to review it! Thinking to get one for myself …
Great video need your Proffesional opinion about the Fiio 11pro Ltd as a portable player on the go and use it on my anthem 740 to play lossless music is it comparable with bluesound node or bluesound node is better
Love these videos when you show us your setup, in other words the gear you loved enough to buy and keep. Really gives some perspective that I should look into Burson more rather than dismissing them in favor of Schiit.
Jay, nice video. A couple of things: 1. Having owned an Innuos Zenith Mk3 and PhoenixUSB, I can tell you with all certainty that the Intel NUC10 i7 with 32GB RAM and 256GB SSD in an Akasa fanless case, that I built as an experiment and pandemic DIY project, sounds at least at good as the Innuos, has plenty of power for upsampling and runs Roon Remote so much better with no crashing. So I sold my InnuOS gear. The other added benefit is it is now separated from my strreamer and that has sonic benefits too. 2. How do you think the Doge Clarity 7 compares to the Denafrips Terminator Plus +/- Gaia DDC? Thanks!
For portable I don't like dongle because it drains phone battery. Even portable dac-amp that comes with its own battery like iFi hip dac still problematic because you still need the phone to keep working as transport so it still use up battery, and also takes up precious storage for offline music files. Much prefer a standalone DAP (digital audio player) for portable use. We need phones for pretty much anything here.
Hi Jay, so i only started learning about HiFi and steros recently. I am wondering beside the blusound Node, are there any streaming DACS with HDMI ARC avaliable in the market today that i can connect to my integrated amplifer? or is this not really an option?
Jay, what's the best method of getting audio from an Apple TV unit without buying an AVR? Right now I have the Apple TV connected into my TV and my TV optical TOS link port hooked into my integrated amp. Is it worth it to get an HDMI audio extractor that outputs into single ended RCA and hooking that into my amp?
Hi Jay. Please c9mpare your Innuos against the Auralic G2.1 streamer dac preamp and parametric equalizer. Also I replied your comment request for usa amps for review comparison.
Jay, does this apply to streaming from an iPad, too? I'm streaming Spotify and Tidal from my iPad to my hi-fi via a Lightning > 3.5mm > RCA cables - would it sound better with a dongle DAC like the THX?
Pls check out the total new Bluesound Node! With a much better DAC and CPU + HDMI and nice touch controls on the top!! So even more value for the Money!!! :)
Thanks for the very informative video, Jay. Just one note, I changed recently from a bluesound node 2i to the newer node because I wanted to keep it simple and its ok for my share of digital listening. I am in no relation to the company but the newer node is much better than decent. Yes the node 2i was decent in a way that the not so good resolution was not annoying but the node is much more enjoyable at least in my system with Mcintosh tube gear and restored 1977 Lascalas.
I wanna know if anyone is willing to help me out with trying to choose and see if I should get a dac or not and what the best way way to get the ultimate audiophile sound experiences are what's do u recommend for a good HiFi high end home theater music system or what is the better way to experience hifi master Audio quality?!
Visit your local dealers and audition equipment. Purchase what sounds best to you and ignore opinions of the Internet. You will be very happy and will enjoy the music.
What a pain...you should have long bought a DAP. That dongle stuff 😦. If you're not happier, then your pockets will be. 😆 And there's never a hassle...you just grab the device and off you go...that looked like something I'd have used at least 5 years ago!
cleaning up digital data...that's a good one (and zero). there's a word for that - corruption. audiophiles just like having lots of toys to play with, and that's fine, but it does affect your judgement.
I maybe in the minority to really like Amazon HD music.... young people like you need to teach us how to get the best sound on our 2 channel stereos from it!!!! Stick in the mud!
When it comes to streaming I rather see myself in the measurement community since I haven't heard any noticable advantage with 'better' streaming solutions like innuos. Measurement wise, a raspberry pi with a good digital HAT (like PI2AES or HifiBerry) has the same if not even better jitter performance than those exotic brands, which is pretty remarkable and you can spend more money on more important components. In addition to that, almost all modern DACs already have really good jitter performance when you use USB, but of course, an external source can help with PC noise issues or give you even better clocks.
So do you ride your uni scooter to work. For me... when portable... i want phone and headphones... thats it. Now i am a cheap bastard... i have mp3s on my phone. I pay zero in streaming and do not use up my phone data so i can stick with cheapest mobile plan.
@@davidkef no, I use a fire stick, it doesn't use the best quality streams, the services use the low rate streams. I even connected it straight into my integrated amp hdmi port, didn't sound as good as other options. But if the sound quality you are getting from TV is to your liking, it is a great way to do it.
Yo ! Have a great Sunday !
0:00 Portable Audiophile Music Streaming
4:09 Computer Audiophile Music Streaming
10:06 Stereo Audiophile Music Streamers
This is a really fantastic video filled with practical advice for folks at different levels to help them achieve what they are looking for in a streaming solution. Totally agree on all points!
Keep up the great work with these videos. I love the detailed steps you take us through, that most content creators take for granted (depicting cable connections, for ex). Thanks!
I have a Schitt Modi 3 in my car.
iPhone plays Amazon music HD, then modi to aux in the head unit.
Do you listen to the speakers of your car?
@@shadouxg7150 I listen to my cars sound system I have kicker door speakers and one 10 inch sub
Love the Onewheel Jay. I ride mine everyday. Also love all the obtainable reviews lately. I’ve been watching all you guys for the last year pretty hard and have not once heard someone say ddc. You are the best .
Me, when I'm on the move I'm more than happy with LDAC Bluetooth. Sounds great
Jay!
You just went to the top of my cool reviewers list!
I'm an old sk8er. Still into my longboards.
Love the 1 wheel!
I don't listen while skating though. Too dangerous: have to keep an eye out for traffic on my hills in Montana :-)
Another wonderful informative video. TQSM, Jay.
Super inconvenient portable setup imo. Ill take a hit in sound quality when out and about for pure ease of use with spotify and wireless iems. At home Ill take the time and effort for better sq at home.
Surely it depends on how much time you spend out and about vs at home and how much you value sound quality? As far as portability is concerned it's about as good as you are going to get... I run the Q5S whilst out and its the size of a phone... all relative and personal I'd say.
I totally agree. I used wired headphones and earphones years ago, but outdoor, in my garden, travelling, walking or cycling, wires are a nuissance to me. Today, when I go out, or when I cook, l use wireless headphones or wireless earbuds. They're also not very expensive, so damage, loss or theft are not a very big deal. The phone in my pocket, and no hassle with wires and dangledongles. Indoor, in audiophile mode, seated..or when I'm dj-ing, wired headphones are the way to go.
Talking about the dongle-dac in the first chapter: it's a missed opportunity that they didn't add a Lightning adapter as well besides the USB A/C adapters.
6:49 Are you suggesting that the audible noise from the mechanical moving parts of a computer somehow distort and add noise to a digital signal?
Like ones and zeroes? Like what number is noise?
2:45 Hells na! 🧐😲
Good thing I have an LG v35 and it's internal DAC is an upgrade from other stock cellphones.🎵🎵
Great tips though!
I actually use my LG smart TV's as my streamers in my living room and Bedroom... I just use optical out to my DAC, then to my Amp.
Like your content. Got multiple video recommendations to this YT channel, and I enjoyed them all. You brought some Hi-Fi topics lately I’m also into it. I’ve left a subs. 👍🏻
Thanks Jay, I'm a PC DAC guy although I'm interested in the separate streamer and separate DAC solution. Can you please cover this topic in more detail? 🙏
The Arcam ST60 Sounds Great! It has a built in Dac!
Just got a Stack Audio Link II as a roon endpoint and it's great. A nice step from going straight usb from my computer, and I'm not wasting money for an embedded dac that I wouldn't use
Finally mention of the Matrix units! I keep seeing them in the background and wondered about your opinion. Any chance of a full review of the mini?
It depends very much upon the quality of the internal DAC in the phone and of the IEM, whether or not it gives a real sound quality improvement to add an external DAC. In my setup with a Samsung Galaxy S10 as primary source it's not necessary, the internal DAC does a very good job already.
Not to mention it has a proper audio jack.
Nice job young man. It was educational for me.
He: uses 3 adapters for wired earphones
Me: phone with headphone jack
QUESTION: I want Roon. I'm sold. I also want digital room correction. I also want to make sure the conversion to analogue is done well enough to remove listening fatigue.
I was going to get a NAD M10 but that was before I learned about Roon. I don't want to open a computer to listen to music.
Main reason I was drawn to the NAD was the Dirac room correction. I want simplicity.
Ideas?
That’s a Mangird Tea there, fantastic IEM for the money, similar tuning to the 64Audio NIO at 1/8th of the price.
Jay, I use a DDC into my Pontus … I2S is really great. I recommend it, if you have a DAC that will accept it. I use a AQ Coffee USB from my mac mini. I’m very happy.
Jay, I enjoyed the video a lot, but I think to make it “complete” you should have also considered that most of the viewers in your channel have gone a long search for a better external DAC in their past audiophile journey, no matter if that was for their CD transport or digital transport. I don’t see any of them “giving up” their DAC to use the internal one of their streaming devices.
So here’s the straight question (it only applies to the last use case, i.e. streaming in your main system): features aside, do you find all those streamers you showed/mentioned sonically equivalent when used as pure digital transports to your DAC of preference?
I'd be curious as to which version of Tidal you subscribe to?
What are your thoughts on mqa?
“Dongle hell”
Dongle heaven
@@Jayiyagi sorry but I can't agree with you on this one. Personally I'll be just fine with an Apple lightning to 3.5mm adapter when I'm outside :D
@@tientuan1606 thats fine. Everyone is different
I wish I could hear all this noise. I suppose all my equipment is well engineered.
I think, Innuos zenmini mk3's onboard dac deserves some praise, too. I a/b'ed zenmini(with lpsu), lumin d2 and lindemann limetree. Zenmini's dac beat them having more body, wider sound stage and superior imaging with unanimous decision.
I think you should always have that reel-to-reel running behind you, even when talking about digital streaming... just because it looks so cool and makes me jealous.
Lmbo, too funny! I totally agree tho, it adds a nice aesthetic.👍🏼
Hey Jay… considering doing a Roon Core NUC. Does Roon handle Spotify?
Spotify Hifi is set to release second half 2021 and that will probably make Tidal redundant.
And we're still waiting.....😅
Yo, Jay. Great video. What in ear monitors do you use?
Ahhhh mobile vlog .. This is more my style. I like it =)
Love your channel!
You might want to have a look at the Shanling EM5, heard a lot of good things about it, would love for you to review it! Thinking to get one for myself …
PS: this maybe a stupid question, but wondering if you would prefer the EM5 to the May DAC for Apple lossless streaming!
Great video need your Proffesional opinion about the Fiio 11pro Ltd as a portable player on the go and use it on my anthem 740 to play lossless music is it comparable with bluesound node or bluesound node is better
Love these videos when you show us your setup, in other words the gear you loved enough to buy and keep. Really gives some perspective that I should look into Burson more rather than dismissing them in favor of Schiit.
The LS50’s work near-field and close to a wall? Would you say they are a good option in a small room? Do you use a sub?
Jay, nice video. A couple of things: 1. Having owned an Innuos Zenith Mk3 and PhoenixUSB, I can tell you with all certainty that the Intel NUC10 i7 with 32GB RAM and 256GB SSD in an Akasa fanless case, that I built as an experiment and pandemic DIY project, sounds at least at good as the Innuos, has plenty of power for upsampling and runs Roon Remote so much better with no crashing. So I sold my InnuOS gear. The other added benefit is it is now separated from my strreamer and that has sonic benefits too. 2. How do you think the Doge Clarity 7 compares to the Denafrips Terminator Plus +/- Gaia DDC? Thanks!
Good sharing! Cheers!
Great video btw!
I use Amazon HD
Hi jay,
Would like to hear you review Cayin products. Have you thought of doing it?? Preferably tube amp (for both headphone and speaker).
For portable I don't like dongle because it drains phone battery. Even portable dac-amp that comes with its own battery like iFi hip dac still problematic because you still need the phone to keep working as transport so it still use up battery, and also takes up precious storage for offline music files. Much prefer a standalone DAP (digital audio player) for portable use. We need phones for pretty much anything here.
Element m is good?
Well I use Raspberry Pi with DIGI Hat Dac board with volumio...It sounds great...Only drawback is volumio does not support amazon music yet...
man you got a screen of the big ass variety. It's a big ass screen man.
Hi Jay, so i only started learning about HiFi and steros recently. I am wondering beside the blusound Node, are there any streaming DACS with HDMI ARC avaliable in the market today that i can connect to my integrated amplifer? or is this not really an option?
Hi, with the Denafrips DDCs, have you compared the Iris to the Hermes? Must of a difference between them?
Great streamer + internal DAC = NAD M33, which you reviewed earlier.
Very helpful thanks guys
great info. subbed. will using a THX dongle on my galaxy s9 phone running Tidal HQ into my Honda Element EX SUV give a significant boost ?
haven't upgraded to Roon yet, but its comin
how would you rate the Lumin mini in comparison to the streamers you listed?
Jay, what's the best method of getting audio from an Apple TV unit without buying an AVR? Right now I have the Apple TV connected into my TV and my TV optical TOS link port hooked into my integrated amp. Is it worth it to get an HDMI audio extractor that outputs into single ended RCA and hooking that into my amp?
It is best to not use optical if possible but in my opinion, if its a multi purpose room and there is no avoiding it, it is what it is
How would you use a DDC with a dragonfly red? Or would you. Right now I go from desktop tidal>dragonfly red> input in vintage mcintosh receiver.
Hi Jay. Please c9mpare your Innuos against the Auralic G2.1 streamer dac preamp and parametric equalizer.
Also I replied your comment request for usa amps for review comparison.
Love your vids. You should review Audirvana, made a huge difference to the quality from my comp!
Cool ride
Jay, does this apply to streaming from an iPad, too? I'm streaming Spotify and Tidal from my iPad to my hi-fi via a Lightning > 3.5mm > RCA cables - would it sound better with a dongle DAC like the THX?
Hi Jay! What CD drive /ripper do you use or recommend? Thanks in advance for the answer.
Pls check out the total new Bluesound Node! With a much better DAC and CPU + HDMI and nice touch controls on the top!! So even more value for the Money!!! :)
Finally! Thujan got rid of optical! Congrats, bro! I sincerely worried about you 😉
Friends don't let friends use optical, apparently...
@@deeplyclosetedindividual exactly!
Tidal murders my phone battery dead
One of the main reasons why I’m now mainly using Apple Music.
Thanks for the very informative video, Jay. Just one note, I changed recently from a bluesound node 2i to the newer node because I wanted to keep it simple and its ok for my share of digital listening. I am in no relation to the company but the newer node is much better than decent. Yes the node 2i was decent in a way that the not so good resolution was not annoying but the node is much more enjoyable at least in my system with Mcintosh tube gear and restored 1977 Lascalas.
What is a dongle????? I thought I knew but you don't play music through it... lol!
I wanna know if anyone is willing to help me out with trying to choose and see if I should get a dac or not and what the best way way to get the ultimate audiophile sound experiences are what's do u recommend for a good HiFi high end home theater music system or what is the better way to experience hifi master Audio quality?!
Visit your local dealers and audition equipment. Purchase what sounds best to you and ignore opinions of the Internet. You will be very happy and will enjoy the music.
To me it has to be android: usb audio player pro, bit perfect player. It just don't sound that good.
What a pain...you should have long bought a DAP. That dongle stuff 😦. If you're not happier, then your pockets will be. 😆
And there's never a hassle...you just grab the device and off you go...that looked like something I'd have used at least 5 years ago!
I'd imagine a PS4/PS5 sounds better than a regular computer as they are dedicated entertainment devices.
oh that silly thujan
Great
tidal isn'te ven available in my part of the world.
cleaning up digital data...that's a good one (and zero). there's a word for that - corruption. audiophiles just like having lots of toys to play with, and that's fine, but it does affect your judgement.
What I am basically saying is If u can help me find a really really good home theater system with everything needed
I maybe in the minority to really like Amazon HD music.... young people like you need to teach us how to get the best sound on our 2 channel stereos from it!!!! Stick in the mud!
Hey Stud, wear a helmet.
Stud don’t wear helmets. Haha. Thanks for caring bud
You lost me at dongles and wires. NEXT!!
When it comes to streaming I rather see myself in the measurement community since I haven't heard any noticable advantage with 'better' streaming solutions like innuos.
Measurement wise, a raspberry pi with a good digital HAT (like PI2AES or HifiBerry) has the same if not even better jitter performance than those exotic brands, which is pretty remarkable and you can spend more money on more important components.
In addition to that, almost all modern DACs already have really good jitter performance when you use USB, but of course, an external source can help with PC noise issues or give you even better clocks.
So do you ride your uni scooter to work. For me... when portable... i want phone and headphones... thats it. Now i am a cheap bastard... i have mp3s on my phone. I pay zero in streaming and do not use up my phone data so i can stick with cheapest mobile plan.
Why not just stream from the TV? It has all of the features of a stand alone streamers
Poor sound quality
@@Pete.across.the.street how so, jitter or some type of signal interference?
@@davidkef no, I use a fire stick, it doesn't use the best quality streams, the services use the low rate streams. I even connected it straight into my integrated amp hdmi port, didn't sound as good as other options. But if the sound quality you are getting from TV is to your liking, it is a great way to do it.
Dude with all due respect. A good DAC will clean up any noise from your computer. Whether that is jitter or noise.
It’s been measured as well.
Audius
What a wiring mess.