69COU
Prominent Member
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2004
- Messages
- 1,160
- Reaction score
- 118
- Points
- 262
Ok being dragged into the new world, And partly thick when it comes to latest in streaming etc., main hifi set up is Monitor Audio Gold speaker system , run by a Musical Fidelity M6si integrated amp for fronts and stereo listening. ( Turntable and also CDs via am Oppo93 blue ray player. ). AV is provided by a Denon 4400 receiver with Front Analogue Pre outs going to Aux on M6si (special HT input) bypassed it’s volume control.
All great so far for TV /Movies etc using combo of Sky/Blue Ray/Amazon TV 4K box for Netflix etc.
Now we turn to streaming music, I have experimented with Tidal and now looking at Amazon HD music having decided I could not get the best out of Tidal.
1) via Tidal app on Amazon TV box connected to Denon by HDMI lead.
2) Also by using the HEOS App Picking Tidal as source and connecting to Denon
3) Tidal app on IPad which connects to Denon via AirPlay.
All three methods seem to limit quality to 44.1 FLAC so no way to play masters that I can figure. As coming to end of 3 month trial of Tidal and unable to get my head around the idea of connecting a computer to Denon and a specialist DAC to decode ( MQA Masters) Computer is in office not the living room anyhow. I have Ethernet connections , do not see why would want try and then run a 50ft USB lead through rooms, that wife would let me!
I have this weekend tried the Amazon HD Music offering instead.
1) via Amazon music app on Amazon TV box connected to Denon by HDMI lead.
2) Also by using the HEOS App, picking Amazon as source and connecting to Denon
3) Amazon Music app on IPad and connects to Denon via AirPlay.
Again with 1 and 3 limited to 44.1 FLAC as far as I can tell however reasonable interface for searching music etc.
With 2- HEOS App occasionally will connect the Amazon Ultra High def sample rates , however seems to stumble as if wii cannot handle. However the interface for searching music is then rubbish.
In all cases the Denon which I would guess is the weak link for Digital to Analogue stereo conversion is in the signal path before my much more costly Musical Fidelity amp.
Then I thought about the use of the Amazon Echo Link circa £150 as thought that would mean would stream and convert direct to my stereo amp, however as I understand this possibly has a weaker DAC than in the Denon? Also it’s digital coaxial and optical are limited to 44.1
Other end of spectrum thought of the matching Musical Fidelity M6 DAC ( circa £1300) great has digital inputs so could improve my CD music, however how do you get Amazon HD music to it. Amazon TV is a HDMI output only so Denon would be involved.
Now I get really confused I could get a better Oppo player for CDs or Musical Fidelity CD player some of them as both also allow now let you input a coaxial digital signal to utilise DAC.
This still does not then solve how I get the streamed music to them in Ultra HD to take advantage of these new quality recordings etc.
Please be gentle on reply’s as I know I am probably missing something really obvious. How do I play best quality to Stereo Amp without losing a good interface. I have heard of Roon however assume would then still need some way to receive content that connects to Hi Fi amp.
Lastly the Musical Fidelity amp has just one digital input USB ‘B’ up to 24bit 96kHz asynchronous. Not sure if that helps.
Cheers
Totally confused in the streaming world P.
All great so far for TV /Movies etc using combo of Sky/Blue Ray/Amazon TV 4K box for Netflix etc.
Now we turn to streaming music, I have experimented with Tidal and now looking at Amazon HD music having decided I could not get the best out of Tidal.
1) via Tidal app on Amazon TV box connected to Denon by HDMI lead.
2) Also by using the HEOS App Picking Tidal as source and connecting to Denon
3) Tidal app on IPad which connects to Denon via AirPlay.
All three methods seem to limit quality to 44.1 FLAC so no way to play masters that I can figure. As coming to end of 3 month trial of Tidal and unable to get my head around the idea of connecting a computer to Denon and a specialist DAC to decode ( MQA Masters) Computer is in office not the living room anyhow. I have Ethernet connections , do not see why would want try and then run a 50ft USB lead through rooms, that wife would let me!
I have this weekend tried the Amazon HD Music offering instead.
1) via Amazon music app on Amazon TV box connected to Denon by HDMI lead.
2) Also by using the HEOS App, picking Amazon as source and connecting to Denon
3) Amazon Music app on IPad and connects to Denon via AirPlay.
Again with 1 and 3 limited to 44.1 FLAC as far as I can tell however reasonable interface for searching music etc.
With 2- HEOS App occasionally will connect the Amazon Ultra High def sample rates , however seems to stumble as if wii cannot handle. However the interface for searching music is then rubbish.
In all cases the Denon which I would guess is the weak link for Digital to Analogue stereo conversion is in the signal path before my much more costly Musical Fidelity amp.
Then I thought about the use of the Amazon Echo Link circa £150 as thought that would mean would stream and convert direct to my stereo amp, however as I understand this possibly has a weaker DAC than in the Denon? Also it’s digital coaxial and optical are limited to 44.1
Other end of spectrum thought of the matching Musical Fidelity M6 DAC ( circa £1300) great has digital inputs so could improve my CD music, however how do you get Amazon HD music to it. Amazon TV is a HDMI output only so Denon would be involved.
Now I get really confused I could get a better Oppo player for CDs or Musical Fidelity CD player some of them as both also allow now let you input a coaxial digital signal to utilise DAC.
This still does not then solve how I get the streamed music to them in Ultra HD to take advantage of these new quality recordings etc.
Please be gentle on reply’s as I know I am probably missing something really obvious. How do I play best quality to Stereo Amp without losing a good interface. I have heard of Roon however assume would then still need some way to receive content that connects to Hi Fi amp.
Lastly the Musical Fidelity amp has just one digital input USB ‘B’ up to 24bit 96kHz asynchronous. Not sure if that helps.
Cheers
Totally confused in the streaming world P.
Last edited: