What Streamer Is Best For You?

As smart devices have taken over our lives, some audiophiles may find it to be a good time to modernize their system with a streamer. From entry-level devices offering exceptional sound at affordable prices to high-end systems built for serious enthusiasts, the market is filled with options tailored to meet varying needs and budgets. In this article, we’ll explore a range of streamers from compact, user-friendly models to advanced, all-in-one systems.

Entry Level

Bluesound Node Mini

The Bluesound Node Nano offers an affordable way to introduce high-resolution wireless audio streaming into your home. The Node Nano is designed for those who want simplicity without sacrificing sound quality. The compact streamer connects seamlessly to any existing audio system via stereo RCA, optical, coaxial, or USB outputs. Built with an industry-leading ESS SABRE ES9039Q2M DAC, the Node Nano supports audio playback up to 24-bit/192kHz, delivering audiophile-grade clarity and detail. Whether you’re streaming music from Spotify, Tidal, or your personal digital library, the NODE NANO offers a refined audio experience.

In addition to its audio capabilities, the Node Nano is also a hub for multi-room listening. With its dual-band Wi-Fi and gigabit Ethernet, you can group it with other Bluesound players to create a wireless, whole-home audio system. Control is intuitive via the BluOS app, and the device integrates with popular smart home platforms such as Control4 and Crestron. For added convenience, AirPlay 2 and aptX™ Adaptive Bluetooth are built-in, allowing easy streaming from a wide range of devices. 

iFi Zen Stream

The iFi ZEN Stream is a high-performance Wi-Fi audio transport device that brings lossless streaming to your existing DAC. Engineered for audiophiles, its core function is to send music from the internet to your DAC with no quality degradation, supporting hi-res PCM384 and DSD256 over Wi-Fi or Ethernet. By pairing with a smart device as a remote control, users can enjoy effortless streaming from multiple platforms.

The Zen Stream comes with proprietary software and hardware optimization. Built from the ground up, it incorporates cutting-edge technologies like Active Noise Cancellation II, femto-precision GMT clocking, and iPurifier for signal purity. Its versatile functionality allows for seamless integration with a variety of streaming services, including Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, and Roon Bridge, while also supporting DLNA and NAA streaming. Its “exclusive mode” feature tailors the ZEN Stream’s performance for specific applications, ensuring the cleanest possible audio output by minimizing jitter and software interference. With robust connectivity options, including SuperSpeed USB3.0 ports and S/PDIF outputs, the ZEN Stream is a powerhouse streamer at a great price.

Mid-Fi

Eversolo DMP-A6

At the heart of the DMP-A6 is a quad-core processor, supported by a fully balanced differential circuit, dual ESS9038Q2M DAC chips, and a wide array of digital input/output options. Designed to provide a seamless lossless music experience, it handles everything from local music management to high-quality streaming services like TIDAL, Qobuz, and Amazon Music. The DMP-A6 is equipped with a 6-inch high-definition touchscreen for intuitive navigation, along with mobile apps for effortless control, offering audiophiles an unprecedented level of interaction and audio quality. Its HDMI DSD multi-channel output and DOH chip processing further enhance its versatility, making it a capable digital turntable as well.

One of the standout features of the DMP-A6 is its self-developed EOS audio engine, which bypasses Android’s SRC restriction for direct output of high-resolution audio. The device supports an impressive range of formats, including DSD512, PCM768, MQA, and more, making it ideal for master recording playback. Its fully balanced preamp circuit and dual DAC chips ensure clean, precise audio, while its low-noise power supply and advanced components such as WIMA and NICHICON capacitors maintain top-tier performance. The DMP-A6 also features high-speed USB 3.0 ports, an M.2 SSD slot for up to 4TB of local storage, and support for various network protocols, offering flexibility for both local and networked playback. 

High End

iFi NEO Stream

The iFi NEO Stream is a highly versatile network streamer designed for audiophiles seeking an elevated streaming experience. Built upon iFi’s proprietary streaming engine and award-winning DAC technology, it delivers exceptional sound quality without the need for a specific control app or platform. Whether you’re looking to add streaming capabilities to your existing system or upgrade your current streamer, the NEO Stream offers seamless integration with platforms like Roon, Tidal, Spotify, and Apple Airplay 2. Its advanced internal design ensures uncompromised audio quality. Thanks to its powerful 16-core XMOS processor and True Native DAC architecture, it supports a bevy of formats. These include PCM up to 768kHz, DSD512, and full MQA decoding.

One of the NEO Stream’s standout features is its unique optical LAN connection. When paired with the included OptiBox transceiver, it provides an ultra-fast, bit-perfect digital audio connection with minimal signal degradation, even across distances of up to 1 km. This, combined with low-noise components, precision clocking, and advanced filtering, ensures the highest level of clarity and sound fidelity. With its balanced analogue outputs, extensive connectivity options, and customizable performance settings, including “Exclusive Modes” tailored for specific use cases like Roon, Tidal Masters, or DLNA, the NEO Stream is designed to meet the needs of discerning music lovers who demand the best from their streaming setup.

Eversolo DMP-A8

The Eversolo DMP-A8 is a cutting-edge digital music player, streamer, DAC, and preamp that delivers an unparalleled audio experience. It’s also powered by the self-developed EOS, which allows the device to bypass Android’s SRC limitations, ensuring direct passthrough of original audio sampling rates. This means that high-resolution audio from third-party apps, such as Apple Music, can be played back in its purest form. The DMP-A8 supports a wide range of master recording formats, including CD-quality FLAC, WAV, APE, and DSD512.

Built with an aviation-grade aluminum chassis, the DMP-A8 combines a modern, sleek design with robust durability. The device also integrates popular music services like TIDAL, Qobuz, and Amazon Music. For local playback, the DMP-A8 automatically organizes metadata from cloud services, making it easy to manage large music libraries.

In terms of connectivity, the DMP-A8 offers extensive options. These include dual USB-A ports, Ethernet, Bluetooth 5.0, and HDMI ARC for both digital and analog inputs. Its powerful DAC, featuring the AK4191EQ+AK4499EX chip, ensures high-fidelity audio decoding up to DSD512 and PCM 768kHz 32-bit resolution. With balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA analog outputs, the DMP-A8 delivers clean, dynamic sound with a THD+N of less than 0.00009%. This ensures exceptionally low distortion and high signal integrity. The DMP-A8 is a highly versatile and user-friendly solution for audiophiles seeking top-tier audio performance.

TOTL

Naim Uniti Nova

The Naim Uniti Nova is a premium all-in-one music-streaming player designed to deliver powerful with exceptional clarity and detail. Combining award-winning performance with British craftsmanship, the Uniti Nova is perfect for audiophiles seeking an elevated listening experience. It offers seamless access to your favorite music. It supports all major streaming platforms, including Spotify, TIDAL, Qobuz, and Apple Music via AirPlay 2. The device also features Chromecast built-in, Bluetooth with aptX HD for high-definition wireless playback, as well as Roon Ready support. The Uniti Nova brings impressive versatility to your home audio setup.

The Uniti Nova also integrates easily with other systems around your home, offering multi-room functionality via the Naim App. It connects effortlessly to your TV, amplifiers, and speakers, making it a powerful hub for all your entertainment needs. The unit features a range of inputs and outputs, including digital, analog, and USB ports. It also sports a front-panel headphone jack with an upgraded amplifier for personal listening. Built with a 3-tier PCB design for optimal signal integrity and equipped with a custom toroidal transformer, the Uniti Nova ensures that your music is delivered with pristine sound quality. With its robust construction and state-of-the-art technology, the Naim built the Uniti Nova to provide years of immersive audio enjoyment.

T+A R 2500 R

The T+A R 2500 R is a powerful and versatile all-in-one audio system. It merges the high-performance design of T+A’s R series with the convenience of a multi-source receiver. The R 2500 R combines integrated streaming services, DSD and PCM converters, and robust amplification. With that, it offers an unmatched range of playback options with superior sound quality. Its DSD True-1-Bit converter processes DSD files natively without conversion, preserving the original audio integrity. The T+A Quadruple converter uses four 32-bit Burr Brown converters per channel to enhance dynamic range and linearity for PCM. This ensures crystal-clear, distortion-free audio. This advanced conversion system allows the R 2500 R to handle digital signals with precision. 

The third-generation Audiophile Streaming Architecture (ASA) allows the R 2500 R to connect seamlessly to various streaming services. These include Deezer, TIDAL, and Qobuz, as well as local network files. It also boasts a wide range of connectivity options including WLAN, LAN, USB, and Bluetooth aptX HD. Its unique design, featuring T+A’s High-Frequency Sinusoidal Power Supply, makes it capable of handling large musical impulses with ease. The double-mono amplifier design further isolates the left and right channels, providing superior sound separation and clarity. The R 2500 R delivers high-fidelity sound and timeless design in a sleek hand-brushed aluminum body.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re just stepping into the world of wireless streaming or seeking to upgrade to the finest audio components available, there’s a music streamer for every level of listener. From the accessible and straightforward Bluesound Node Nano, to the high-performance T+A R 2500 R, each model brings its unique strengths to the table. No matter which device you choose, all of these streamers are built with one goal in mind. To deliver a rich, immersive, and high-fidelity audio experience that brings your favorite music to life.

For more information on streamers, check out Audio46.