What Is a Streamer?
A streamer is a device that fetches digital audio content from various sources and delivers it to your HiFi system. Unlike traditional sources such as CD players or vinyl turntables, streamers access music from the internet, network storage devices, or directly from computers. They are designed to handle a wide array of digital audio formats, from MP3 to high-resolution files like FLAC, WAV, and DSD, ensuring that you get the best possible sound from digital music libraries and streaming services like Spotify, Tidal, and Qobuz. The primary appeal of integrating a streamer into your HiFi setup lies in its ability to provide access to virtually unlimited music with uncompromised audio quality.
They come in a lot of different shapes and colors and have different options you may want to consider:
Supported audio formats: Many streamers support high-resolution audio formats like FLAC, ALAC, WAV, and DSD, offering a higher quality listening experience than standard resolution formats.
Integrated DACs: Some streamers come with integrated digital-to-analog converters that will allow to stream music and directly convert it to an analog signal to be send to your preamplifier or integrated amp.
Preamp function: Some will also take it one step further by offering a preamp function as well, handling other sources and volume control. You’d then need only a power amplifier to connect to your speakers.
Connectivity options: Streamers typically offer various connectivity options, including WiFi, Ethernet, USB, and sometimes Bluetooth. The most recent ones will also have a built-in M.2 NVME SSD slot to plug in directly a SSD drive.
How to connect it to your system
Connecting a streamer to your HiFi system is straightforward, but will depend on your streamer options as mentioned before.
Connecting to an Amplifier or Receiver: If you have a separate DAC, the streamer will only send a digital stream to a DAC via a digital cable (Coaxial, USB, Optical, etc…). You will then need to connect the DAC to the rest of your system either via RCA or XLR cables. If your streamer has an integrated DAC, the streamer will play the music and convert it to an analog signal that needs to be sent to your preamp or integrated amplifier via analog cables (RCA or XLR). DO NOT connect your streamer/DAC directly to a power amplifier if it doesn’t have a preamp function to reduce the volume. Your speakers would not like it. At all.
Network Connection: To access music from your network or streaming services, connect your streamer to your home network via Wi-Fi or Ethernet. An Ethernet connection is generally preferred for its stability and potential for higher audio quality.
Conclusion
Adding a streamer to your HiFi system opens a gateway to a world of music, marrying the convenience of digital media with the uncompromising quality demanded by audiophiles. Whether you’re exploring vast online libraries or enjoying your meticulously curated digital collection, a streamer ensures that your journey through music is both high-quality and high-fidelity. By selecting a streamer that matches your system’s needs and connecting it properly, you elevate your listening experience to new heights, making every note clearer, every performance closer, and every listening session more fulfilling.