Ready for the Streamers?
In February we replaced our ageing laptops. My new Acer has a 1Tb HDD. I decided it was an ideal opportunity to do something about storing my music collection on computer. I didn’t realise quite how many CDs we have between us! I am now on the last leg of the process and expect that it’s going to be approaching 1000 individual discs – that’s looking like over 300Gb of flac’d music and associated files, phew!
Mind you, they do sound good when played back via HRT Headstreamer DAC and Shure SE530 earphones. There’s more life and depth to the sound than with mp3 files, which often sound a bit too harsh, shrill and thin to my ears. So I have good sounds going on at work, and even on holiday should I choose.
This made my thoughts turn to home. I have a perfectly decent CDP-Amp combination, but sometimes it is more convenient to play from laptop to amp via USB and the Cambridge DACMagic. I’m a bit naughty and use a boosted USB cable but without noticeable degradation to spoil my listening. (The other evening I listened to a CD ripped to flac format on my laptop with Winamp and also the original CD on my ‘player – I could discern no appreciable difference in quality as I ‘hot-switched’ between sources – in a blind test I believe I would never know which was which).
However, in recent months WHF has been putting temptation in my way. What’s with all these music streamers then? All this recent grim weather has put me in need of a technology fix to chase the blues away and I am mulling over either a camera upgrade or maybe one of these shiny new clever boxes of tricks.
But do I really need such a thing (the streamer I mean)? After all, we have wi-fi, two redundant laptops and even a little-utilised tower PC. Between them they have more than enough hard disc capacity for all of our music. Surely we can set things up such that the spare boxes can be used to store and play music directly to DAC/Amp? As tempting as they might look, what advantages do the streamers offer? I already have Spotify and Winamp (and even iTunes) on my computers. Somewhere I might have an old Ethernet hub and cabling squirreled away from my IT days. So, do I really need another box of tricks? Or do I spend my money on a nice shiny Canon 60D or 7D? (Therein lies yet another conundrum...)
If you have a redundant laptop, I would use this as a streamer. A streamer in itself, offers nothing over a computer, other than a quicker startup when required.
The laptop will....
Play discs of varying types, stream content from the internet, stream content from your home network, play back media stored on the laptop and generally act in the usual laptop ways.
A dedicated streamer is just a way to play digital files, either fed from a local source or internet. Some have other functions, such as a preamp, amp and DAC, but you already have thoses capabilities, so enjoy your new camera.
Thanks - that's pretty much what I thought. However, I had the horrible suspicion I was missing something (beside a few marbles). So, it looks like it's on with the camera choice process... 
Hi ESP, I don't know what your budget is, but if you want to hear just how good a Streamer can sound, have a demo of the Linn Sneaky (£850)....I think you will find it worth the effort.
Cno
The Linn sneaky has a built in DAC, which is the bit that makes it sound good. Put a good DAC after a PC and you should get the same result. I'd buy the camera - I asked the same question as you a few weeks ago, and came to the same conclusion. Of course, that's assuming that a bit sounds the same one one PC as another.... 
Well I'd say the 60D unless you really feel you'd make use of the 7D's war-proof construction, 100% viewfinder, weather-proof seals and shorter shutter lag
Put a good DAC after a PC and you should get the same result....
....it won't, ya know! 
Maybe, but the OP wanted a choice between a streamer and a camera and he already has streaming capability so.....
I'd get the 60D. Best balance between ergonomics and price (since the sensor is the same between 600D, 60D and 7D).
Though the OM-D is rather yummy...
Maybe, but the OP wanted a choice between a streamer and a camera and he already has streaming capability so.....
.....If the OP owns a camera, the same logic applies....so it may depend which gives more pleasure.
Maybe, but the OP wanted a choice between a streamer and a camera and he already has streaming capability so.....
.....If the OP owns a camera, the same logic applies....so it may depend which gives more pleasure.
That's a good point. I'd make a small wager though, that the Sneaky would not make much of a noticeable difference over the HRT DAC already in place.
Used 5D MkII
I'd make a small wager though, that the Sneaky would not make much of a noticeable difference over the HRT DAC already in place.
It will, ya know!
I would absolutely love to be able to sit down and listen to a whole variety of expensive and exotice equipment, to see if I'm missing out, or by how much. Unfortunately, I don't think the local dealers would tolerate extended testing without me opening my wallet. Of course, if I discovered something that I really liked (and was affordable) I'd maybe dust off the cobwebs.
I would absolutely love to be able to sit down and listen to a whole variety of expensive and exotice equipment, to see if I'm missing out, or by how much. Unfortunately, I don't think the local dealers would tolerate extended testing without me opening my wallet. Of course, if I discovered something that I really liked (and was affordable) I'd maybe dust off the cobwebs.
IMO A good dealer should be happy to sow a seed and show off what he has.....in fact either of mine will let me know if they have something interesting that is worth hearing. It's all about building a relationship and playing the long game.
The one thing they don't like, is using them to demo with the intention of buying cheaper on-line.
Some years ago, I was at my dealer on another matter, when he said that Linn had just brought out this remarkable sounding tech called a DS, and suggested I take a listen. I didn't buy it at the time, but it left a lasting impression and when I did an upgrade, I knew what I wanted.
I'd make a small wager though, that the Sneaky would not make much of a noticeable difference over the HRT DAC already in place.
It will, ya know!
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If you have a redundant laptop, I would use this as a streamer. A streamer in itself, offers nothing over a computer, other than a quicker startup when required.
The laptop will....
Play discs of varying types, stream content from the internet, stream content from your home network, play back media stored on the laptop and generally act in the usual laptop ways.
A dedicated streamer is just a way to play digital files, either fed from a local source or internet. Some have other functions, such as a preamp, amp and DAC, but you already have thoses capabilities, so enjoy your new camera.
Mac mini > AVI ADM9Ts