I’d like to bring tidal into my 2 channel setup but I’m not sure what my options are so here I am… my integrated is a yamaha as-2100… mqa would be a nice bonus too… thanks
There are a number of web streamers you can integrate into your system. The question is work put in versus cost, whether you get an all in one dac streamer or say build a pi tidal streamer that outputs to an smsl MQA dac that you output to your Integrated via rca
I have no experience with building a raspberry pi so my preference would be an in one
It’s ridiculously easy.
instructions for Volumio using Pi2AES (requires an external DAC) here https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/dummies-guide-to-pi2aes-throw-away-your-pc-or-laptop.8878/
Does seem pretty straight forward actually… thanks for the link… how would this compare to a node 2i?
Budget is a big question here. To really hear a difference from MQA, I think your starting point for a single device is probably going to be something like the Bluesound Node 2i, at $500. However, if you want to hobble something together, and since the Raspberry Pi was mentioned here, I got the Pi to work with my Audioquest Dragonfly pretty easily, and it sounded perfectly fine. A Pi kit with a case, power supply, heat sinks, SD card, etc., will set you back about $75, and the Dragonfly Black goes for $99.
Is MQA actually a benefit? It’s debatable. You only get 13 bits lossless, and everything on top of that is lossy compression. To my ears, it sounds like they sacrificed dynamics to place more emphasis on detail. On many recordings, I prefer the CD-quality PCM version.
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I appreciate the insight as I realize this isn’t the hottest topic lol… I don’t mind the price tag as the amp was 3500 usd so something inline with that would be okay… node 2i seems like a good option or starting point but I wouldn’t mind going higher if people in the know would feel it worth while… I like that the node 2i has coax out to facilitate dac upgrades
regarding mqa for me its worth getting the most out of it as I rely on it heavily for digital
Steps up from the Node 2i would be the NAD C 658, the Cambridge Audio CXN v2, and the Naim Audio ND5 XS2. Sadly, Arcam discontinued the rPlay, and the Sonos Port doesn’t do MQA.
Much appreciated… I shall commence research
Check the Linux thread or ask there if you need help.