Streaming for a dummy.

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Jonty2547
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Streaming for a dummy.

Unread post by Jonty2547 »

At present i’m using an Apple Airport express into a Beresford Bushmaster MK11 with Audioquest Nighthawk headphones which i absolutely bloody love (thanks Fretless :grin: ) and source is Spotify premium via a MacBook air/, iPad or iPhone.
I’m pretty much going to use a headphone/streaming system all the time now.
So, question is what can improved upon? I can imagine that the Airport Express could be bettered?
The plan is to order the Beresford Capella headphone amp tomorrow and run the Bushmaster into that.
That said, would it be better to use a one box (ie DAC/head amp) solution or?
I’m kinda lost here, so any advice…
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Headphone system Bushmaster II, Capella amp, Pi 3B+ with Hifiberry Digi+ Pro & Nighthawk cans.
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Re: Streaming for a dummy.

Unread post by savvypaul »

Is the Bushmaster headphone output struggling to drive the Nighthawks?

Is the Capella a much better headphone amp than the Bushmaster or just the same / similar in it's own box?

One box is convenient, and one less set of interconnects to buy...but check how much of the unit's power supply is allocated to the headphone section.
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Re: Streaming for a dummy.

Unread post by Fretless »

Nighthawk love. :romance-hearteyes: :guiness; :music-listening:

Upstairs:
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Re: Streaming for a dummy.

Unread post by Jonty2547 »

No problem with the Bushmaster output driving the nighthawks at all, in fact they work ok just connected to my macbook, but better with an amp.
I guess my question is, can the Airport express be bettered as a way of feeding the DAC?
I don't see anyones signature on any forum using one, hence the question.
TT- Thorens TD160B MKII with SME 3009, SL1210 and PL-71. Amps-NVA P50sa/A40's & Phono 1. CDP- Sony X555ES. Speakers-B&W 705 with LS1.
Headphone system Bushmaster II, Capella amp, Pi 3B+ with Hifiberry Digi+ Pro & Nighthawk cans.
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Re: Streaming for a dummy.

Unread post by Jonty2547 »

Fretless wrote: ↑Fri Feb 01, 2019 8:14 pm Nighthawk love. :romance-hearteyes: :guiness; :music-listening:
Yeah, these things are crazy good! I'm 4 hours into them and am still trying to find a track that can fault them...

Not found one yet :guiness;

£185 very very well spent, thanks :mrgreen:
TT- Thorens TD160B MKII with SME 3009, SL1210 and PL-71. Amps-NVA P50sa/A40's & Phono 1. CDP- Sony X555ES. Speakers-B&W 705 with LS1.
Headphone system Bushmaster II, Capella amp, Pi 3B+ with Hifiberry Digi+ Pro & Nighthawk cans.
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Re: Streaming for a dummy.

Unread post by savvypaul »

Jonty2547 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 01, 2019 8:21 pm No problem with the Bushmaster output driving the nighthawks at all, in fact they work ok just connected to my macbook, but better with an amp.
I guess my question is, can the Airport express be bettered as a way of feeding the DAC?
I don't see anyones signature on any forum using one, hence the question.
I see plenty of people on forums using and recommending the Google Chromecast, and that is £30, so I wouldn't write off the AE. There is a theory that firms such as Google and Apple offer these devices at cost, or even a loss, so they can get you 'in the system'.

I have a Sonore MicroRendu which I rate very highly and betters some 'fancier' £2k streamers to my ears, but it's still £600. If Spotify is as hi-res as you plan to go then I wouldn't fret over the AE.
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Re: Streaming for a dummy.

Unread post by _D_S_J_R_ »

Chromecast (Audio) is now discontinued I believe and they've been selling like hotcakes since the price drops. According to ASR tests, the CA itself is pretty good for the low cost, but the Chrome app adds nasties if I read it right.
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Re: Streaming for a dummy.

Unread post by savvypaul »

_D_S_J_R_ wrote: ↑Fri Feb 01, 2019 8:45 pm Chromecast (Audio) is now discontinued I believe and they've been selling like hotcakes since the price drops. According to ASR tests, the CA itself is pretty good for the low cost, but the Chrome app adds nasties if I read it right.
CA seems to be available widely, still...

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/tv-and-ho ... lsrc=aw.ds

Or is that a different beast?
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Re: Streaming for a dummy.

Unread post by Jonty2547 »

There is better than Spotify hi-res? If so, what?
I'm asking because i really don't know. I'm pretty new to all this.
TT- Thorens TD160B MKII with SME 3009, SL1210 and PL-71. Amps-NVA P50sa/A40's & Phono 1. CDP- Sony X555ES. Speakers-B&W 705 with LS1.
Headphone system Bushmaster II, Capella amp, Pi 3B+ with Hifiberry Digi+ Pro & Nighthawk cans.
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Re: Streaming for a dummy.

Unread post by savvypaul »

Spotify Premium is 320k. Lower-res than CD.

Qobuz and TIDAL have CD quality streams and some streams available at 24/96.
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