How do you stream?

[TJActual 109]

Like many of you, I have a number of systems around the house, and consequently a number of streaming sources. All tap into Qobuz, and I don't have a localized digital music library. My highest-end system uses an EverSolo DMP A6 Master Gen2, my Carver system uses a Topping D50, and another system uses a Cambridge MXN 10. In contrast, the bedroom system uses a BluDento BLT-HD (by far the cheapest option). It's a pain because I have a range of apps on my phone, and the ones I use less often, I have to relearn when I use them. I bought all of these, not really thinking about where I would eventually end up. Is there a more straightforward way?

[4krow 7,165]

It looks like you jumped head first into this arena. There must be a way to consolidate all of it. Is that your question? I wish that I could help, but this is the opposite of what I think about in audio. Because of that, it is a losing battle for me in some ways just having audio on vinyl and some streaming capabilities to hear new music. 

[AndrewJohn 10,708]

Just posted this over on the Wiim thread - but, it's easy enough to put it here too.

 

I use Roon.  It enables me to synch music streaming across all 6 of the systems in my house (and outside).  Check out the thread I posted when I did this.  Lots of global / international users of Roon have pushed this into the next-generation of streaming - it's future proof as streaming technology and content inevitably  evolves.

 

 

[Charlie 17,551]

I went cheap and decided to use Accuradio; output from my Samsung Galaxy A9+ Tab with an adapter to my Carver C-1 (think Internet Radio)

It's not the best but I can deal with it even with the ads that show up every once and awhile.  If I have a hankering for something specific (I have a NAS with 60TB of space> I have 22TB of music so far and I will eventually stream directly from the NAS) it's time to use the CD/DVD/BluRay burner and compile whatever I wish as my Carver stereo system has a TEAC CD/DVD/BluRay player as well as a TX 11B tuner. 

I save anything I burn with a  table of contents in it's own case as I do go back and relisten to whatever I burned. 

Not the easiest way to stream but simple works for me...

[jeffs 3,456]

I have/had various Topping DACs connected to various analog preamps.  Several of the streaming sources are computers (USB or optical out to the DACs), Firestick to TV optical out, or phone via bluetooth (this is my last resort).

 

Mostly streaming Amazon Music in High Def.  Considering moving to Apple Music as it's a reasonably cheap adder to Apple TV service.

 

Qobuz never worked for me because there is no app for any of the TV streamers (Firestick, Apple TV hardware, or Roku).  You need a computer or phone.  Not great for me.

 

Along came the WiiM Ultra preamp/streamer.  This changes the game for me.  One Topping DAC is for sale with another one following shortly.  If the WIiM had USB input or another optical input, it would replace all of my stand-alone low-end DACs.

[Sk1Bum 12,417]

For quite some time, I used my oppo bluray players to stream from an external USB drive attached to my router. Then I moved to a NAS, and the WiiM Ultra. Streaming to the oppo sounds great, but the interface is clunky and slow...  Like @jeffssaid, the WiiM changed the game for me. The WiiM sounds great, and the interface is much more advanced, not to mention much faster than the oppo. I now have 3 WiiM Ultras. You can sync them together and control them from a phone/tablet app or a Windows or Mac app on a computer. I can't speak for the Mac, but the Windows app is still beta (to be generous). It needs a lot of work. Other than that, I am very happy with the WiiM, and I've only played a few records since I bought the first one. I've only played a couple of CDs too. I like that I can configure playlists, or just add albums to the cue, and have the music sync'd through the whole house with 3 systems.  My average price on the WiiM Ultra's is about $270 plus tax.

[TJActual 109]

Thanks. Yeah, I'm trying to consolidate parts that were bought without a view as to having "One" source of streaming. In one case, I have two DACs running two systems, where otherwise I can AB between systems and speakers. As you would imagine, vinyl is hard to line up (2 turntables), and streaming from two different sources makes comparing between systems tricky. Sounds like I need to do some homework.... Thanks for the help!

[AndrewJohn 10,708]

7 minutes ago, TJActual said:

Thanks. Yeah, I'm trying to consolidate parts that were bought without a view as to having "One" source of streaming. In one case, I have two DACs running two systems, where otherwise I can AB between systems and speakers. As you would imagine, vinyl is hard to line up (2 turntables), and streaming from two different sources makes comparing between systems tricky. Sounds like I need to do some homework.... Thanks for the help!

 

If you want multiple sources, self-curated playlists, adding ripped and otherwise-downloaded content..., take the time to look at Roon.  I just wrote a long reasoning on the other active thread on streaming advice.  Wiim is good, but it's limited..., your coment above about not being locked into sources leads me to suggest that read/research.  Roon is pushing the envelope..., not sitting still, and it's NOT a streamer, it's a new way to experience streamed music/content.

 

Enjoy!

[TJActual 109]

I think Roon is the correct answer. Your other post is beneficial. 

[Kurt 3,114]

I've streamed several different ways. I built myself a streamer of out of a Raspberry Pi connected to a DAC chip that sat on top of it.  It actually worked pretty well.  I was able to run Qobuz through Volumio and control it with my iPhone.  But, keeping up with the software updates, etc, was challenging.  I was happy I had built my own inexpensive streamer, but I didn't consider how much effort it would be to maintain the coding side of things.  So, I moved on to streaming from my PC which was ok... but clumsy.  So, now I'm using an iPad with a data connection feeding a Schiit DAC.  And, since Qobuz now let's you control anything on your network with another gadget, I can sit my iPad on top of my stack and use my iPhone to control it from my listening chair. Actually makes for a nice visual and a nice sound.  Having said all that, I've asked Santa Clause for Wiim Ultra streamer for Christmas.  Fingers crossed!

[Sk1Bum 12,417]

26 minutes ago, Kurt said:

 I've asked Santa Clause for Wiim Ultra streamer for Christmas.  Fingers crossed!

 

Good choice. I can't speak about the MacOS app, but the latest update for the Windows app is a huge upgrade, well, it's beta now anyway. The previous version maxed out my RAM (32g), and took about 10 minutes to load. The version just barely blips the RAM usage and loads immediately. The only things that I think they need to work on now is making it pretty.  

[oldtexasdog 2,481]

On 12/7/2025 at 10:40 AM, Sk1Bum said:

For quite some time, I used my oppo bluray players to stream from an external USB drive attached to my router. Then I moved to a NAS, and the WiiM Ultra. Streaming to the oppo sounds great, but the interface is clunky and slow...  Like @jeffssaid, the WiiM changed the game for me. The WiiM sounds great, and the interface is much more advanced, not to mention much faster than the oppo. I now have 3 WiiM Ultras. You can sync them together and control them from a phone/tablet app or a Windows or Mac app on a computer. I can't speak for the Mac, but the Windows app is still beta (to be generous). It needs a lot of work. Other than that, I am very happy with the WiiM, and I've only played a few records since I bought the first one. I've only played a couple of CDs too. I like that I can configure playlists, or just add albums to the cue, and have the music sync'd through the whole house with 3 systems.  My average price on the WiiM Ultra's is about $270 plus tax.

What is your source or streaming source for doing this and how do you add "to the cue or configure playlist? I just bought one of these and am trying to learn and get my head around it.

 

[Sk1Bum 12,417]

My streaming source is almost exclusively from my NAS, with an occasional stream from Amazon music or Tunein. 

 

Streaming from my NAS, I start something playing, usually an album, then I tap the browse "<" in the top left hand corner until I navigate back to albums or artists. In an album folder, you can tap the three dots, and one of the options is Add to Queue, or you can add single tracks to the right of the track listing by tapping the 3 dots there, and selecting the add to queue option. That's also where the Add to playlist option is.

[oldtexasdog 2,481]

Would this work with Amazon music?

[Kurt 3,114]

From Wiim, you can access the Amazon music app directly.  I just click "browse" on the Wiim App on my phone and it brings up a list of streaming services, with Amazon Music on top.  Click on it and it takes you right to the Amazon music app and you'd interface with that as you would normally from within the Wiim app (you may have to log in to Amazon music first).  I did this with my Qobuz streaming app.  It works great.  I can also use the Qobuz app directly now, and just tell it to "output" to the Wiim.   I probably use this method most often because of all the stored playlists I have in Qobuz and how familiar I am with the queueing , etc.

[Half Life 977]

Since I only listen to Amazon Music in my shop (that's where the Wiim lives), I just choose Amazon Music as the source, set it as preset #1, and then just hit PLAY.  After the music starts, I use the voice control button on the remote and tell Alexa to shuffle the music.  I have somewhere near 1000 songs in that preset.  It is quite rare for me to hear the same some more than once.  The other feature I like is that Amazon Music will create a playlist based upon my listening habits, mostly B side stuff; but I like it.  Sometime I'll choose that playlist to really change it up.

Edited January 16 by Half Life
can't type

[jeffs 3,456]

3 hours ago, Half Life said:

I just choose Amazon Music as the source, set it as preset #1, and then just hit PLAY.

This is a great feature.  I'm not sure everyone is aware of it.  Assign a WiiM preset to an Amazon Music playlist (or Spotify or whatever). Now you don't need your phone to start streaming that list, just hit the preset button on the remote.

My first WiiM is setup in my basement. I can go down there without phone, hit preset #1.  If the WiiM is off, it turns on, it's output trigger turns on a power switch to a m400, and the music starts playing. 

 

 

Edited January 16 by jeffs

[oldtexasdog 2,481]

Yes but stupid question. How do you create playlist in Amazon and save it?