Loved the video, please do keep doing the beginner friendly content alongside your reviews etc. The beginner stuff is what encouraged me to put together my first hi-fi system, so thank you!
I'll never understand why Google stopped producing Chromecast Audio. I have one connected to my speakers and is perfect for this. Small, easy to install. Thanks for the video, great as always!
I agree. Such a simple, easy to use device which sounds great for the price. I still have a couple in my house acting as Roon endpoints, one connected to a Morel powered speaker and one to my Denon AV receiver because it sounds better than using the receiver itself as an endpoint.
I ended up replacing my Chromecasts with Amazon Echos that are connect to my various amplifiers. I have been very please with the results and, obviously, the convenience is great. Spotify Connect, Amazon, anything you tell her to play!
Probably because not enough Google Chromecast Audio devices were being sold. I have one connected to a Sonos setup. I have two Sonos 5s and a Sonos sub in a spare bedroom. Each Sonos 5 has a stereo input jack. On the left Sonos 5 I have a stereo jack coming in from a 4K television. The left Sonos will then pull out the "right channel" from this stereo input and that over to the Sonos 5 acting as the right channel. But on the right Sonos 5 I have a Chromecast Audio plugged in. Like the latter, the left channel is pulled from this input (Chromecast Audio) and sent to the left Sonos. The reason I have the Chromecast Audio is because it allows me to send audio from an Android device to the Sonos system. Specifically something NOT involving Spotify et al. I can pull up Google Home and then choose to "mirror audio." So anything landing on the Android device is sent to the Chromecast Audio. Any audio from any app landing on the Android device is sent over to the Sonos (a la Airplay situation for an iPhone user). Some might say, "Why not use the TV?" Well because I bring up www.SomaFM.com on Google Chrome on the Android device and pick a music stream. No other way to get those streams to the Sonos unless I use an iPhone with Airplay to the Sonos. Without Chromecast Audio, there's simply no way to get those music streams (from SomaFM.com) to the Sonos from an Android device. Spotify Connect has no context in the latter. Years ago SomaFM did have an Android app but they abandoned it ages ago and strangely it never supported Chromecast while for a time the SomaFM app on iOS did(!!!). Now there is the option of attaching a conventional Chromecast Video device to the TV and mirroring to that, but now the TV has to be on. Might be OK in some situations but can also spoil the mood if you want to listen to music in the dark and chill (a situation I find myself often with that particular room in the summer). With some TVs you can turn the video panel off (but the TV is still ON) which is great for music listening. All Sony TVs allow this. However that's not the case with the Hisense U8G in the room with the Sonos system. When I bought the Chromecast Audio from BEST BUY a couple of years ago (or whenever they stopped selling it) it was literally the last one they had on the shelves. In fact as I went to pay for it, the cashier asked me if I really wanted the Chromecast Audio - "Perhaps he really wants the Chromecast video device?" was his thinking. "Nope, this is what I want" I told him.
I’m so glad you explained streaming using a laptop, I bought an amp that has a digital input, & was told to hook up my pc to listen to music. I’ve have Spotify on my iPad. I’ve been using a meridian 203 dac & Cambridge audio cd2 player for years. I’m purchasing a Wimm pro to stream to my new system. I now understand that I needed to have Spotify on my laptop to use my new amp’s dak. My laptop is very old, & I’ve been using iPads since their inception. For the first time I’m listening to bookshelf speakers, after using different magnepans models since the 80’s. I can’t thank you enough
I was really confused about streaming music as I grew up with vinyl, cassettes and then cd's. My solution a couple of years ago was to buy a Yamaha rn803d. This allows me to stream music from a bunch of providers and the amp has around 23 inputs in it. I can still listen to all my vinyl, cassettes and cd's but it has helped educate me on the streaming front and has been fantastic to use. I have also been able to listen to lots of new music that I wouldn't have otherwise heard. I also think that this route was probably the simplest way to go. My previous hi fi had a valve pre, a power, a phono, record deck with separate power supply etc etc. This newer set up has 4 items...turntable/cd/cassette and amp. Always enjoy your videos. Thanks 👍
I'm very new to the world of streaming, so "beginner" videos like this are incredibly useful learning tools for me. I'm discovering so much about hi-fi generally from your content, so thanks very much and keep 'em coming!
If you have an Apple TV and some kind of home theater system, you can stream Apple Music. There is an app on Apple TV to allow for the music streaming. You don’t have to have a home theater the music will just come out of the TV speakers. It is a great way to access a whole world of music.
This is why I love Spotify so much. I like the way that you can control it from your phone, but your streamer is pulling it direct from the source. It also works across so many different devices.
I've been using Raspberry Pis for years, but thank you for making this video. The technical details can be very hard to sort through especially for beginners. It's a great service for people just dipping their toes into the world of streaming. One comment I would add is just how much of a bargain the Raspberry Pi is. The Pi itself starts around $35 in the US. You do have to take into account the cost of the USB cable (unless you are like me and have a ton of those things lying around), the AC adapter, the SD card, and a case. All in, you are still in for WAY less than $100. What else in hi-fi costs so little? And, say you pick one up and streaming music just isn't your thing? There are literally thousands of things people use these little computers for. From learning how to write code, to building robots, to making a sweet home theater PC. Make the jump! Embrace your inner geek! So much fun for so little money.
A few years back I let go of my "audiophile" aspirations and parted with my Denon/paradigm based system. I needed a smaller simpler system that fit with a simpler lifestyle. At this point I am running an Nvidia Shield box for TV and Music and feeding the optical to a set of Klipsch "The Fives". Not a perfect system but an adequate & simple system that the whole family can understand and operate.
Thanks so much for this video. I'm 60 and just getting re-interested in hi-fi, and much has passed me by over the last 20 years. Looking forward to learn how to stream using good hi-fi separates as I enter retirement next month and will have time on my hands again.
I love it when you do these "how to" videos. I'm not a beginner but found this really interesting and it gave me some ideas that I had not thought about before. Keep doing these!
Love using my raspberry pi with Volumio as a streamer. Thank you for that encouragement in your other videos! AND, one of my favorite features of Spotify Connect is that you can use any device with Spotify installed as the “remote“. So, I can start playing a track on my phone, walk into the next room and continue managing my listening session from my iPad, or turn on my computer and do the same. To me, that is just about the epitome of convenience, which really, is what streaming is mostly about. Your “back to the basics“ videos are very helpful, John. Much appreciated!
Watching this for the first time after I just picked up a Wiim Mini today. Played both Spotify and Apple Music. Impressed this $90 box (clipped an Amazon coupon) does it all so well. I’ve now joined the 21st century!
**PLEASE READ CAREFULLY** 1) Got a question? Please ask it of the Darko.Audio TH-cam community (and not me) as I'm now busy making the NEXT video. All comments here are moderated by a third party. 2) Polite comments that advance the conversation are most welcome (but no URLs, please)
Thank you for making this video. One comment about the term “streaming”: when I first started putting my system together at the beginning of the COVID pandemic, I had a really hard time distinguishing music service streaming (i.e.Tidal/Qobuz/Spotify) from ripped CD file streaming from a domestic music server. Eventually, I realized that when most people discuss “streaming,” it is in the way John discusses in this video: from a commercial service over the interwebs. If, however, you enter the audiophile world by ripping a large CD collection (via an Innuos product) into files that you can play across your home, one also can consider that to be streaming.. It’s just a different use case and application than what John discusses here.
Great video John. One of the things I love about the audio community is our desire to help people on their own individual audio journey. This video is critical to helping neophytes improve their experience and enjoyment of music.
Late into the DAC game but really need to adapt as I'm upgrading my whole audio set-up and there's no scaping the streaming service for convenience and this video helped me a lot in how to set it up and the possibilities for future applications, I appreciate this. ty.
I love the inclusive approach to hifi in these videos. It's a hobby that has far too much gate keeping. I'd been looking for a streamer for a while and after watching the videos about the Allo Digi One I jumped in and paired it with Schiit Modi. A great combo! Now just the waiting game for Spotify Hifi! 🤣
Thanx for info… defiantly will use. Tell us some more about this cabinet where all equipment is placed. The two sides are monitors ? Displaying album ‘s art work?
If you’re talking about streaming Apple Music remotely, it’s helpful to mention Apple TV 4K. This is the one instance where using airplay is similar to Spotify Connect. If you airplay to the Apple TV, it will stream from the Apple TV, not the phone. Much less flexible than Spotify Connect, but worth mentioning. Also the Apple TV makes a great visual control for seeing your music playing as others have already mentioned.
Thanks for this information. Can you tell me, do you know if it gets full lossless quality that way, or because of the airplay 2 being used does it get a lossy file. Anyway, more to the point I guess, can you shut off your phone and will it continue to play? i.e. is it getting the stream from the net then? I am really interested in Apple Music, but I can't live without the ability to control my music AND also listen and phone to something else on my devices. (That being said, Apple Music's mixes just suck compared to Spotify. I love the quality, but their "stations" are absolutely out of touch with my first choice of song. Anyway, end of rant)
Thanks for the information. what would you as your first set up? utilising a Rasperry pi and knowing how to use it including installing OS . buying a new amp with headphone socket , essential part headphone use only use. i use iphone too.
Thank you for such a clear explanation. I'm am a total noob to this steaming tech--been reading and watching for about 2 weeks now, trying to figure it out. I've heard other channels talking about jargon like "gapless", but had no idea what they were talking about. Now I know!
When I saw the title, I thought that somewhere in the video there will be an announcrment that Spotify finally got FLAC quality... Looks that we need to wait a little bit more for it. Cheers, Przemek
@@FeathersMcGraw_ Hmm... I thought that CD quality means FLAC format like in case of e.g. Deezer. What codec will be used by Spotify to encode CD quality?
@@FeathersMcGraw_ FLAC is not a “quality standard”. It’s just a lossless audio codec, and there’s _many_ of those. You have to be more specific as to whether it’s 16 or 24-bit along with the sample rate being one of 44.1, 48, 96, 192 kHz. It’s CD quality or 24-bit Hi-res, both of which are lossless.
@@przemekprzemkowy3811 FLAC is free so they may go for that, no other 3rd party lossless codec is popular enough for that purpose and they can’t use ALAC or WMA which are prroprietary codecs.
You can run the Mi Box S EU version without a HDMI cable or dummy plug installed if using the Mini-TOSLINK output to a DAC. Note: you will need a screen to set up the device Chromecast & Spotify Connect both work without issue via TOSLINK and an audio signal will be transmitted. Not sure for USB out to a DAC.
When Apple publishes the new macOS version this monday, you should be able to use any Mac running the newest version as an AirPlay receiver. Then there would be an equal easy entry for beginners connecting their Mac to an DAC to AirPlay Apple Music or anything else or use Spotify Connect to play Spotify.
See how apple tries to force folks to buy their newest products, ideally, that feature should be available across the entire ecosystem, not only "any mac running the newest version" of the software.
Thank you for making a truly beginner friendly video for the beginners. There are many people who would like to get to know the audiophile world but they’re discouraged by the “pros” whom I’d call the keyboard warriors. This is very easy to understand, I’m excited for the next one! 🤓
Hi John, great video as always. I bought the KEF LSX last week for my working room and with these speakers, i was the first time able to switch between AUX from my PC and Spotify Connect. I was always a little bit sceptical if you can hear a difference, but now i'm sure that there is a hearable difference. I think the difference is even more notable then the difference between 320 kbit/s and lossless or CD quality for example (which i was trying to hear on my main setup (KEF R900, KEF R400b, Onkyo TX-8270, Topping DX3 Pro) for a while now). Overall i can rly recommend the KEF LSX for beginner friendly audio streaming, its super easy to setup.
I hear this as well. I think it's likely that the DAC & AMP in the LSX is lot better than the DAC & AMP in the PC. The LSX is a great beginner system, if you are happy with Spotify, which I am. The DAC, AMP, and Spotify Connect ability are all built into the speakers & their app/remote! John Darko has a great video on the LSX, worth digging out (it sold me!)
I am a total beginner. Thank you for making this friendly enough that I do not feel brain dead. I am going to have to watch it again. I would also like to see how to stream to a hi end system. One thing I was not sure of was why the need to convert digital to analogue?
I’m very new to this as well,I friend pointed me towards your “Wowsers Bluesound Powernode “ review. After watching I was convinced this would work well for me as I’m starting from scratch. I now had the Powernode and a Tidal subscription and a pair of B&W CDM1 speakers my brother in law gave me.It’s really wonderful and I haven’t turned the TV on since acquiring it. The Kef KC62 sub is next on the shopping list.Really enjoy your content and I’m educating myself watching lots of your videos,many thanks.
Thank you!!! I've been listening to my headphone out on my computer to powered speakers for years. I'm finally ready to venture out and get a USB DAC to listen through. Your explanation has prompted me to make the leap. I dig your channel. Steady On!
Hi John I just recently discovered your channel and I absolutely love your content. So please forgive me if you’ve covered this. Why not use the Apple Remote app to control the MacBook?
John, So grateful for your beginners videos. I’m a long time audiophile trying to make sense of all this digital streaming nightmare. I have a very high end 2 channel system that I’m hoping to transition from an expensive vinyl front end to a high end streaming system and will spend many thousands of dollars, I’m estimating $10K-$15K, but I want to have a firm grasp on the software and hardware before making the purchase. Without these videos I’d be lost and probably just stay with my AQ Dragonfly DAC streaming directly from my laptop or phone. Keep up the good work, us old timers appreciate the clarity you provide! Greg
You started me down this rabbit hole in June with your first Apple Music video. My starting system is a good pair of wired headphones and a DAC/Amp and my phone next to my couch. You also said you would rather spend $3000 on headphones than speakers 😊. Thanks. Great video as always.
I watched this video by chromecasting it to my TV. Love chromecasting my music from my Raspberry pi Plex server to the Google Speakers around my home. Music whilst having a family Sunday roast is the best :)
The way I have mine set up is very simple. I have Apple Music on my iPad, I airplay the music across to an older generation Apple TV box which has an optical output, the optical cable goes into my Cyrus amp which has an excellent onboard DAC. I get full CD quality.
Spotify hifi would instantly kill most high res streaming services. It’s cheaper, better suggestions, most users at this time, best integration, largest library
@@TheDealer1228 yeah i have apple music as well and love it, all music i want is there and it’s quite a nice interface. But my biggest gripe is integration, airplay unfortunately is not common good yet and it’s still not lossless capable. Not even an apple tv can play lossless over hdmi for some reason, literally only your phone with a dongle can do it
Great video! I have a question: "Whether I should invest in a DAC when my current setup is the following?": - Streaming: Spotify; - Source: Macbook Air; - Speakers: Edifier R1280DB; - Music: Rock and Metal; Or with setup from the above there is not much sense for external DAC in comparison to the built-in DAC that Apple provides and the budget speakers I'm using... Thanks in advance.
Agreed. Echoing Oscar Wilde, I've always felt it is a tragedy to be able to get anything you want, whenever you want it, so I'll probably never stream, but it's great that you, Darko, take the time to show Luddites like me the possibilities. Thank you!
@@jerrytook7308streaming is fantastic, because for a relatively small monthly fee and an outlay for the streamer like an Apple TV, you have access to nearly the entire world of music. It is fantastic.
I just simply connect my iPhone or iPad via the headphone jack into an Apple dock so I never have to be battery dependent, pick a playlist, hit shuffle and I'm done for hours and hours. I am more than happy with the sound quality, on 4 very good systems. The sound quality does improve with every new Apple hardware release...several audiophile friends have concurred. I may be a dinosaur but I'm a happy dinosaur.
Holly Molly just when I was struggling to cast Apple Music. Jee I have a Mi Box. This video is a God send. I was an assumption that purchase of iPad is the only way out
What are your thoughts on using the same DAC that is found in laptop/desktop in a separate enclosure. Also I'm curious about noise differences from an battery powered DAC(example Fioo e7) or one powered with a decent USB wall adapter. I can notice something when my Fioo is charging or I touch it while charging.
I really enjoyed this. Looking to buy a new Hifi system but wasn't sure how streaming worked and how it coud be operated from a listening position. Before I watched this, I knew nothing. Now I know next to nothing but that's progress!
Nice video - as usual. Particularly liked the 'tone' remark. As a music lover with a degree in electronics and a lifetime working with all sorts of technology I find it can still get messy when trying to get to grips with products, particularly when mixing and matching hardware and services to get to the end point e.g. listening to the damn music as quickly and pain free as possible. Case in point your example of Apple Music/Chromecast etc. Your videos do a lot to de-mystify that, and so much more, so thanks and keep doing what you do. Now if only Apple would licence(more cheaply I guess?) more manufacturers to build Apple Music into their hardware life would be a lot easier and we wouldn't have to mess about with Airplay. Cheers John
Hello, very good video! I have two questions: 1-getting the sound of the Xiaomi Mi Box through the USB port...do I have to configure something in the Xiaomi menu or does the sound come out automatically without touching anything? 2- Why do you use the external DAC and you don't get the sound from the Xiaomi minitoslink directly to the amplifier? Does it get much better using an external DAC? Thanks
Thank you so much. I'm googling for weeks if not months to find a first step in streaming. I thought about getting a Pi, but because I'm new to it and not sure if I like it enough to leave my (great sounding) CD-player, I want to try out low key. And couldn't get through the swamp of information (do I want a network bridge or streamer, I still dont get that). Thanks to your video I can just start with 2 devices and go from there. Instead of directly buying an expensive streamer /bridge or fullblown audiophile raspberry. Take care, Richard
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Thanks for the great video. What is needed to enable the music to play on speaker when I ask the Google assistant? (E.g. "ok Google, play music in living room") if the source is Spotify, does that leverage Spotify Connect ? Or does that go over Chromecast?
Really appreciate seeing these options. For Apple, wouldn't things work better via the Apple TV 4K as our streamer? I think it also allows one to use an iPhone as a remote, or one can also use the Apple TV remote and put the album art and full lyrics on your TV. I plug my Apple TV straight into the KEF LS50 wireless 2 for my DAC and AMP and it's a true wonder, especially with the new KC62 woofer!
Heads up, with the new MacOS that's soon to release like literally tomorrow I believe, you can use any Mac as an AirPlay receiver and control the volume too with the iPhone. Been running the Beta for it and it works fantastically.
@@DarkoAudio that is true, but if you use apple music on your phone for searching. Then add what you want to listen to to your library, it is now available in iTunes remote app. Which means you can listen to hi-res music from your listening position, controlled by your phone (if AirPlay quality isn’t good enough for you). You know those audiophiles…
Just to confirm - you can use ,under Monterey , a certain number of Mac computers as Airplay receiver. I have Mac Mini from 2014 and it does not work on that. However, what’s the point of it? There is still nothing to allow you browse Apple Music on you iPhone and play it back through iPad or Mac . Please don’t say Apple Remote ! Only works for Library . Apple connect is badly required similar to Spotify Connect as John showed on his video. I’m amazed such a simple “app/ product” is not available.
Does anyone know how much additional drain there is on the phone's battery while using Airplay as opposed to cloud-based streaming? I don't often hear that mentioned. Additionally, would it be the same as while using Bluetooth?
Thank you I “dropped out” of hifi (my Audio Research/Magnepan system were stolen) just before streaming became a thing. I have restarted and have rejoined the world of hifi with my Apple phone and quirky Apple Music. Figuring out streaming (where did iTunes go?) has been quite confusing and I haven’t gotten beyond using Bluetooth. I am looking forward to your next video to see and finally understand how to get some decent sound from my system beyond CD’s and vinyl.
Good stuff, thanks John! The chromecast codec topic was really useful, as sometimes the Mi Box is only recognized as a chromecast tool, not as a spotify connect tool! My setup: Xiaomi Mi Box 3 as streamer (running Spotify) --> Opctical commection --> Tangent Ampster BT II --> A pair of vintage Videoton stereo speakers. Works like charm! I have been experimenting on DAC front a bit (Mi Box's DAC, Dragonfly Black, FiiO E10K), eventually I stick with the Tangent's DAC for simplicity. For me the Mi Box works also without any HDMI connection. Best part of the whole Spotify ecosystem, that my car has a native app too, no need for AA or BT stream!
Moved from Spotify to Apple Music and I should have done this many moons ago. Hooked up a second hand Airport Express 2 ($30) to my active speakers (Beolab 18s + 19) and the CD sound quality of Apple is simply so much better than anything Spotify delivers. Used Soundiiz to transfer all my albums, playlist and tracks from Spotify to Apple Music by the way.
Probably I am missing something here. But can’t we just use iTunes remote (app) to control another apple device connected to a dac and just play the music? And in this way you honestly don’t need to use a streamer and we are NOT using the airplay . You can add some noise reduction device (Denafrips IRIS for instance) if you want to clear the computer signal noise. For the two apps issue discussed in another reply, what I am doing is to use my iPad to control the music app, and use my cell phone as the remote, the apple system does the synergy quite quickly. And at least for me it is a better option as I don’t need to back and forth in one app trying to do two different things.
I'm relatively new to streaming myself - currently using a Linn Select DSM/Katalyst all in one dac/steamer/amp. I've tried all the various streaming platforms, but always come back to Spotify direct for its simplicity (eagerly awaiting their HiFi quality release). I currently also have a 6 months free trial of both Apple Music and Amazon Music and thanks to your previous video on the subject, now connect my iPad Pro to the Linn via usb c to usb b to access hi-res music ( I previously did the same with Tidal to play MQA encoded "master audio" tracks).
Beginner friendly! Speakers, amplifier and a Aragon Audio Stream3 and you got Spotify Connect, UNDOK NAS streamer, Internet radio, Fm and DAB+ radio. Comes with a remote control with a volume control. Good start to begin with. Sounds really nice.
For me its also that Spotify is just horrible when it comes to artist payment/support and bought Top 100 etc Playlist spots. I really would love to dive into the Spotify ecosystem but this always puts me of :(
A great way of explaining the options for getting popular streaming services to play through through your HiFi speakers. As you alluded to, the Airplay options will also drain phone battery quicker as the phone's wifi is constantly receiving and transmitting.
Big shout thank you for your video, specifically for beginners. Let me add, it is possible to use Apple Music from your couch without streaming from your iPhone. Remote App allows that, you may control your MacBook from your couch, accessing and controlling your Apple Music interface, streaming directly from your MacBook into your DAC.
Agreed, I use the Remote App to control my Mac remotely from my couch all the time. Not sure why he didn't mention this, a quick google search will point you to that option.
Because you CANNOT browse and search Apple Music with the Remote app. You need to add an album to your library first with the Apple Music app and only then can you control its playback with the Remote app. So it's a two-app solution -- and therefore not an elegant one. And this is why I didn't mention it in the video.
@@DarkoAudio Thanks for answering, I really like the content. You are right. not the smoothest but worth mentioning in the future it is a two-app solution but easier because it does not involve extra hardware (hdmi dummy, raspberry pi) and extra cost (tidal is more expensive) if you already own a computer.
Personally running a Scarlett Solo and a pair of Yamaha HS5's with Apple Music Lossless and as somebody who has just recently getting into high quality audio, this sounds amazing and it's a good setup as I didn't want to mess too much with Amps and all of that. This is just basically a plug and play with the Powered Speakers.
Good beginners video. I cheaped out (for the time being) and bought a second hand Apple Airport Express Base Station model A1264 off eBay for < 20 USD. The last version of this model type offered AirPlay (not AirPlay2) Reset it, added it to my wireless network, and ran an optical cable a couple of feet to my Integrated amp. Allows me to stream from my legacy library or Apple Music to make advantage of Lossless. That being said, I'm already embedded in the Apply Ecosystem - just pointing this out as an option. May pickup a BlueSound Node and use it as a transport in the future - or some other comparable device (likely to be covered in an upcoming video!)
Hi John, thank you so much for this video. It was absolutely what I needed as I am exactely that beginner you are addressing to. This helps a lot and I am already excited to watch the second part.
OMG - I have entered the "mum and dad" category ... I found my self thinking "please give me a recommendation for a shoebox and speakers for Eur 1500". I can still hear the difference between on the one hand CD's played on my linn classik and on the other spotify through my airdac and then linn classik amp. So with the arrival of spotify hifi I may still have some years of enjoyment before my ears give up.
Best addition to my personal setup was a PRIMARE NP5 supports airplay and all major streaming services. Not the cheapest but very good quality. And supports gapless playback
Apple Music on an Apple TV box then connect TV to DAC/ Hi-Fi with Toslink or RCA cable gives you a remote control and a large display for information about what’s playing plus it’s gapless. Also once you’ve launched the app on the box you can then control it from iPhone/iPad similar to Spotify connect with data going straight to the box rather than via phone as airplay does.
@@bubbamike actually it supports upto 24/48 , if you click on the lossless button under what’s playing it tells you if it’s playing at 24/48, 24/44 or 16/44 . Yes it is capped at 24/48 so won’t do Hi-res but as John said this is for beginners.
@@scottscottsdale7868 undoubtedly the bluesound is better although doesn’t have native support for Apple Music only airplay but as you say it was your first system and this is Apple Music for beginners.
First off, I love watching your videos. My set up is a Mac mini connected to a dac magic 200, to a vintage Linn Intek integrated. Using EMOTIVA B1+ at the moment. I use the Mac mini monitor less through either my MacBook or iPhone via an app called Remote +. It’s been great this far
Love the back to basics vids coming up John!! Nice to go back and learn all over again. I’ve got a question. Which DAC is better for speaker use only? The Schiit Modi 3+ or the iFi Zen DAC v2? Thanks for the advice and keep up the good work!!
Thanks for the video John, nice work ! The only way to play apple music from the couch without the stream travelling trough an iPhone is using an Apple TV. Of course you need a TV and HDMI connection... Using that set-up, you can use the Apple TV remote or use your iPad/iPhone as a remote.
Apple TV needs a digital audio out for this to really work well. Then you could pass the signal through a better quality DAC. This would take the phone out of the equation.
I have essentially set up my older Apple TV as an intermediate streamer simply to display album art on my tv while streaming Spotify connect from my Yamaha WXC to my rig. In order ti do this I need to AirPlay Spotify to the Apply TV, then hand it off to the Yamaha for Spotify connect for better sonic results. Once the connection is established it stays displaying album art and info on the TV.
How did you remote control your iPad from your phone? I have my Apple Music via a USB to optical connected to a Bluesound NODE and it’s working mostly OK. Now I want to control it from the couch.
any idea if I need a DAC if I'm using the Mac Mini M1? I'm 53 so I have a foot in both camps - hifi separates and streaming. I'd like to buy a used NAD or similar amp and some nice used bookshelves but have the convenience of Spotify. I don't suppose you'll answer this but thought I'd ask. Many thanks and Merry Christmas 2022
I wanted to start my new beginner friendly set up. I already have Zen Dac V2 and Zen Dac Can and Senn 660s to begin with. Is it possible to use my Ipad Pro (Using Apple Music Lossless) as a music source? I'm planning to buy a USB C to USB adapter then connect it to my Zen Dac using the USB B to USB 3.0. Am I missing something in the set up? Thank you...
Thank you! Very helpful video. Genuine question: what’s the benefit of this setup when compared to a pair of sonos (one or fives) connected via airplay or direct from the cloud?
"hifi Spotify"
If only Spotify hi-fi finally would come out
Spotify here in Australia has "very high" on the premium accounts which is 320kbps, was only released recently
yeah, I'm waiting for that too :)
i am just baited for Spotify HiFi
You can also stream with your Apple device via Airport Express.
I jumped to Deezer
Loved the video, please do keep doing the beginner friendly content alongside your reviews etc.
The beginner stuff is what encouraged me to put together my first hi-fi system, so thank you!
First rule of Darko Club - never close the tab until you hear the eye pops.
Haha love it
I'll never understand why Google stopped producing Chromecast Audio. I have one connected to my speakers and is perfect for this. Small, easy to install. Thanks for the video, great as always!
I agree. Such a simple, easy to use device which sounds great for the price. I still have a couple in my house acting as Roon endpoints, one connected to a Morel powered speaker and one to my Denon AV receiver because it sounds better than using the receiver itself as an endpoint.
Chromecast Audio is a magic little puk. I tried Apple Music with my android phone and it actually works with the Chromecast Audio
I ended up replacing my Chromecasts with Amazon Echos that are connect to my various amplifiers. I have been very please with the results and, obviously, the convenience is great. Spotify Connect, Amazon, anything you tell her to play!
Plus it had optical output
Probably because not enough Google Chromecast Audio devices were being sold. I have one connected to a Sonos setup.
I have two Sonos 5s and a Sonos sub in a spare bedroom. Each Sonos 5 has a stereo input jack. On the left Sonos 5 I have a stereo jack coming in from a 4K television. The left Sonos will then pull out the "right channel" from this stereo input and that over to the Sonos 5 acting as the right channel.
But on the right Sonos 5 I have a Chromecast Audio plugged in. Like the latter, the left channel is pulled from this input (Chromecast Audio) and sent to the left Sonos.
The reason I have the Chromecast Audio is because it allows me to send audio from an Android device to the Sonos system. Specifically something NOT involving Spotify et al. I can pull up Google Home and then choose to "mirror audio." So anything landing on the Android device is sent to the Chromecast Audio. Any audio from any app landing on the Android device is sent over to the Sonos (a la Airplay situation for an iPhone user).
Some might say, "Why not use the TV?" Well because I bring up www.SomaFM.com on Google Chrome on the Android device and pick a music stream. No other way to get those streams to the Sonos unless I use an iPhone with Airplay to the Sonos. Without Chromecast Audio, there's simply no way to get those music streams (from SomaFM.com) to the Sonos from an Android device. Spotify Connect has no context in the latter. Years ago SomaFM did have an Android app but they abandoned it ages ago and strangely it never supported Chromecast while for a time the SomaFM app on iOS did(!!!).
Now there is the option of attaching a conventional Chromecast Video device to the TV and mirroring to that, but now the TV has to be on. Might be OK in some situations but can also spoil the mood if you want to listen to music in the dark and chill (a situation I find myself often with that particular room in the summer). With some TVs you can turn the video panel off (but the TV is still ON) which is great for music listening. All Sony TVs allow this. However that's not the case with the Hisense U8G in the room with the Sonos system.
When I bought the Chromecast Audio from BEST BUY a couple of years ago (or whenever they stopped selling it) it was literally the last one they had on the shelves. In fact as I went to pay for it, the cashier asked me if I really wanted the Chromecast Audio - "Perhaps he really wants the Chromecast video device?" was his thinking. "Nope, this is what I want" I told him.
I’m so glad you explained streaming using a laptop, I bought an amp that has a digital input, & was told to hook up my pc to listen to music. I’ve have Spotify on my iPad. I’ve been using a meridian 203 dac & Cambridge audio cd2 player for years. I’m purchasing a Wimm pro to stream to my new system. I now understand that I needed to have Spotify on my laptop to use my new amp’s dak. My laptop is very old, & I’ve been using iPads since their inception. For the first time I’m listening to bookshelf speakers, after using different magnepans models since the 80’s.
I can’t thank you enough
I was really confused about streaming music as I grew up with vinyl, cassettes and then cd's. My solution a couple of years ago was to buy a Yamaha rn803d. This allows me to stream music from a bunch of providers and the amp has around 23 inputs in it. I can still listen to all my vinyl, cassettes and cd's but it has helped educate me on the streaming front and has been fantastic to use. I have also been able to listen to lots of new music that I wouldn't have otherwise heard. I also think that this route was probably the simplest way to go. My previous hi fi had a valve pre, a power, a phono, record deck with separate power supply etc etc. This newer set up has 4 items...turntable/cd/cassette and amp. Always enjoy your videos. Thanks 👍
I'm very new to the world of streaming, so "beginner" videos like this are incredibly useful learning tools for me. I'm discovering so much about hi-fi generally from your content, so thanks very much and keep 'em coming!
If you have an Apple TV and some kind of home theater system, you can stream Apple Music. There is an app on Apple TV to allow for the music streaming. You don’t have to have a home theater the music will just come out of the TV speakers. It is a great way to access a whole world of music.
This is why I love Spotify so much. I like the way that you can control it from your phone, but your streamer is pulling it direct from the source. It also works across so many different devices.
I've been using Raspberry Pis for years, but thank you for making this video. The technical details can be very hard to sort through especially for beginners. It's a great service for people just dipping their toes into the world of streaming. One comment I would add is just how much of a bargain the Raspberry Pi is. The Pi itself starts around $35 in the US. You do have to take into account the cost of the USB cable (unless you are like me and have a ton of those things lying around), the AC adapter, the SD card, and a case. All in, you are still in for WAY less than $100. What else in hi-fi costs so little? And, say you pick one up and streaming music just isn't your thing? There are literally thousands of things people use these little computers for. From learning how to write code, to building robots, to making a sweet home theater PC. Make the jump! Embrace your inner geek! So much fun for so little money.
Hi! I was curious as to how much RAM is needed to use the Pi as a streamer?
A few years back I let go of my "audiophile" aspirations and parted with my Denon/paradigm based system. I needed a smaller simpler system that fit with a simpler lifestyle. At this point I am running an Nvidia Shield box for TV and Music and feeding the optical to a set of Klipsch "The Fives". Not a perfect system but an adequate & simple system that the whole family can understand and operate.
I got the same setup more or less. It was a good choice. Have you done the latest firmware update on the fives? I've been lazy 😂.
@@earlfenwick thanks for the heads up. Didn't realize that there was a 5.8.0 update. Haven't done it yet but will shortly.
This is a great introduction to the world of streaming audio and the issues to consider.
Thanks so much for this video. I'm 60 and just getting re-interested in hi-fi, and much has passed me by over the last 20 years. Looking forward to learn how to stream using good hi-fi separates as I enter retirement next month and will have time on my hands again.
hows retirement?
I love it when you do these "how to" videos. I'm not a beginner but found this really interesting and it gave me some ideas that I had not thought about before. Keep doing these!
oh yeah same here!
Yep
Love using my raspberry pi with Volumio as a streamer. Thank you for that encouragement in your other videos!
AND, one of my favorite features of Spotify Connect is that you can use any device with Spotify installed as the “remote“. So, I can start playing a track on my phone, walk into the next room and continue managing my listening session from my iPad, or turn on my computer and do the same. To me, that is just about the epitome of convenience, which really, is what streaming is mostly about.
Your “back to the basics“ videos are very helpful, John. Much appreciated!
Watching this for the first time after I just picked up a Wiim Mini today. Played both Spotify and Apple Music. Impressed this $90 box (clipped an Amazon coupon) does it all so well. I’ve now joined the 21st century!
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THIS is the beginner streaming tutorial I've been looking for; thank you SO MUCH Sir!
Thank you for making this video.
One comment about the term “streaming”: when I first started putting my system together at the beginning of the COVID pandemic, I had a really hard time distinguishing music service streaming (i.e.Tidal/Qobuz/Spotify) from ripped CD file streaming from a domestic music server. Eventually, I realized that when most people discuss “streaming,” it is in the way John discusses in this video: from a commercial service over the interwebs.
If, however, you enter the audiophile world by ripping a large CD collection (via an Innuos product) into files that you can play across your home, one also can consider that to be streaming.. It’s just a different use case and application than what John discusses here.
It is simple to be complicated, but complicated to “be simple”!
And you do it every time, with so much ease. Keep it up John 👍
Great video John.
One of the things I love about the audio community is our desire to help people on their own individual audio journey. This video is critical to helping neophytes improve their experience and enjoyment of music.
Your channel is so very enjoyable, John. Keep up the great work.
Late into the DAC game but really need to adapt as I'm upgrading my whole audio set-up and there's no scaping the streaming service for convenience and this video helped me a lot in how to set it up and the possibilities for future applications, I appreciate this. ty.
I’m a beginner and I did not know about Spotify connect. Thank you for this most informative video!
I love the inclusive approach to hifi in these videos. It's a hobby that has far too much gate keeping.
I'd been looking for a streamer for a while and after watching the videos about the Allo Digi One I jumped in and paired it with Schiit Modi. A great combo! Now just the waiting game for Spotify Hifi! 🤣
Thanx for info… defiantly will use. Tell us some more about this cabinet where all equipment is placed. The two sides are monitors ? Displaying album ‘s art work?
Glad to see a very empathetic approach to getting into high-end audio-just discovered your channel and I'm loving it.
If you’re talking about streaming Apple Music remotely, it’s helpful to mention Apple TV 4K. This is the one instance where using airplay is similar to Spotify Connect. If you airplay to the Apple TV, it will stream from the Apple TV, not the phone. Much less flexible than Spotify Connect, but worth mentioning. Also the Apple TV makes a great visual control for seeing your music playing as others have already mentioned.
Thanks for this information. Can you tell me, do you know if it gets full lossless quality that way, or because of the airplay 2 being used does it get a lossy file. Anyway, more to the point I guess, can you shut off your phone and will it continue to play? i.e. is it getting the stream from the net then? I am really interested in Apple Music, but I can't live without the ability to control my music AND also listen and phone to something else on my devices. (That being said, Apple Music's mixes just suck compared to Spotify. I love the quality, but their "stations" are absolutely out of touch with my first choice of song. Anyway, end of rant)
Thanks for the information. what would you as your first set up? utilising a Rasperry pi and knowing how to use it including installing OS . buying a new amp with headphone socket ,
essential part headphone use only use. i use iphone too.
Thank you for such a clear explanation. I'm am a total noob to this steaming tech--been reading and watching for about 2 weeks now, trying to figure it out. I've heard other channels talking about jargon like "gapless", but had no idea what they were talking about. Now I know!
Hey, just the video I’ve been looking for! Which would you be “better” for a Spotify only setup - Pi or Xiaomi?
When I saw the title, I thought that somewhere in the video there will be an announcrment that Spotify finally got FLAC quality... Looks that we need to wait a little bit more for it.
Cheers,
Przemek
Spotify will likely never have FLAC quality but they have announced that they will support CD quality later this year.
@@FeathersMcGraw_ Hmm... I thought that CD quality means FLAC format like in case of e.g. Deezer. What codec will be used by Spotify to encode CD quality?
@@FeathersMcGraw_ FLAC is not a “quality standard”. It’s just a lossless audio codec, and there’s _many_ of those.
You have to be more specific as to whether it’s 16 or 24-bit along with the sample rate being one of 44.1, 48, 96, 192 kHz.
It’s CD quality or 24-bit Hi-res, both of which are lossless.
@@przemekprzemkowy3811 FLAC is free so they may go for that, no other 3rd party lossless codec is popular enough for that purpose and they can’t use ALAC or WMA which are prroprietary codecs.
I thought the same when I saw the title
You can run the Mi Box S EU version without a HDMI cable or dummy plug installed if using the Mini-TOSLINK output to a DAC. Note: you will need a screen to set up the device
Chromecast & Spotify Connect both work without issue via TOSLINK and an audio signal will be transmitted.
Not sure for USB out to a DAC.
When Apple publishes the new macOS version this monday, you should be able to use any Mac running the newest version as an AirPlay receiver. Then there would be an equal easy entry for beginners connecting their Mac to an DAC to AirPlay Apple Music or anything else or use Spotify Connect to play Spotify.
Does this stream via the iPhone? It doesn't look like a usual AirPlay 2 target so I'm interested to see if lossless is possible
See how apple tries to force folks to buy their newest products, ideally, that feature should be available across the entire ecosystem, not only "any mac running the newest version" of the software.
Thank you for making a truly beginner friendly video for the beginners. There are many people who would like to get to know the audiophile world but they’re discouraged by the “pros” whom I’d call the keyboard warriors. This is very easy to understand, I’m excited for the next one! 🤓
Hi John, great video as always. I bought the KEF LSX last week for my working room and with these speakers, i was the first time able to switch between AUX from my PC and Spotify Connect. I was always a little bit sceptical if you can hear a difference, but now i'm sure that there is a hearable difference. I think the difference is even more notable then the difference between 320 kbit/s and lossless or CD quality for example (which i was trying to hear on my main setup (KEF R900, KEF R400b, Onkyo TX-8270, Topping DX3 Pro) for a while now).
Overall i can rly recommend the KEF LSX for beginner friendly audio streaming, its super easy to setup.
I hear this as well. I think it's likely that the DAC & AMP in the LSX is lot better than the DAC & AMP in the PC. The LSX is a great beginner system, if you are happy with Spotify, which I am. The DAC, AMP, and Spotify Connect ability are all built into the speakers & their app/remote! John Darko has a great video on the LSX, worth digging out (it sold me!)
I am a total beginner. Thank you for making this friendly enough that I do not feel brain dead. I am going to have to watch it again. I would also like to see how to stream to a hi end system. One thing I was not sure of was why the need to convert digital to analogue?
I've watched 5 Darko videos today. Such great content
I’m very new to this as well,I friend pointed me towards your “Wowsers Bluesound Powernode “ review. After watching I was convinced this would work well for me as I’m starting from scratch. I now had the Powernode and a Tidal subscription and a pair of B&W CDM1 speakers my brother in law gave me.It’s really wonderful and I haven’t turned the TV on since acquiring it. The Kef KC62 sub is next on the shopping list.Really enjoy your content and I’m educating myself watching lots of your videos,many thanks.
Thank you!!! I've been listening to my headphone out on my computer to powered speakers for years. I'm finally ready to venture out and get a USB DAC to listen through. Your explanation has prompted me to make the leap. I dig your channel. Steady On!
Hi John I just recently discovered your channel and I absolutely love your content. So please forgive me if you’ve covered this. Why not use the Apple Remote app to control the MacBook?
im fairly advanced in the audio journey, but i admire the empathy you always insist upon for _all_ the viewers. kudos.
John,
So grateful for your beginners videos. I’m a long time audiophile trying to make sense of all this digital streaming nightmare. I have a very high end 2 channel system that I’m hoping to transition from an expensive vinyl front end to a high end streaming system and will spend many thousands of dollars, I’m estimating $10K-$15K, but I want to have a firm grasp on the software and hardware before making the purchase. Without these videos I’d be lost and probably just stay with my AQ Dragonfly DAC streaming directly from my laptop or phone. Keep up the good work, us old timers appreciate the clarity you provide!
Greg
You started me down this rabbit hole in June with your first Apple Music video. My starting system is a good pair of wired headphones and a DAC/Amp and my phone next to my couch. You also said you would rather spend $3000 on headphones than speakers 😊. Thanks. Great video as always.
I watched this video by chromecasting it to my TV. Love chromecasting my music from my Raspberry pi Plex server to the Google Speakers around my home. Music whilst having a family Sunday roast is the best :)
The way I have mine set up is very simple. I have Apple Music on my iPad, I airplay the music across to an older generation Apple TV box which has an optical output, the optical cable goes into my Cyrus amp which has an excellent onboard DAC. I get full CD quality.
Thanks for the video John. I have done the same and it works great!
Actually you haven’t, with the recent revelation that Airplay only does AAC 256.. you have been listening to lossy all the way.
Spotify hifi would instantly kill most high res streaming services. It’s cheaper, better suggestions, most users at this time, best integration, largest library
Apple Music actually has the larger library, but yea, your point still stands.
Apple Music lossless didn’t upsell on that.
We all are waiting for that feature
@@TheDealer1228 yeah i have apple music as well and love it, all music i want is there and it’s quite a nice interface. But my biggest gripe is integration, airplay unfortunately is not common good yet and it’s still not lossless capable. Not even an apple tv can play lossless over hdmi for some reason, literally only your phone with a dongle can do it
@@Zoranurai13 Airplay is not lossless capable? i heard it can play 16/44bit isnt that lossless?
Great video!
I have a question: "Whether I should invest in a DAC when my current setup is the following?":
- Streaming: Spotify;
- Source: Macbook Air;
- Speakers: Edifier R1280DB;
- Music: Rock and Metal;
Or with setup from the above there is not much sense for external DAC in comparison to the built-in DAC that Apple provides and the budget speakers I'm using...
Thanks in advance.
At last! an intro to streaming. Thanks very much. Not as if I stream myself, but it's interesting to be able to understand what's going on.
Agreed. Echoing Oscar Wilde, I've always felt it is a tragedy to be able to get anything you want, whenever you want it, so I'll probably never stream, but it's great that you, Darko, take the time to show Luddites like me the possibilities. Thank you!
@@jerrytook7308streaming is fantastic, because for a relatively small monthly fee and an outlay for the streamer like an Apple TV, you have access to nearly the entire world of music. It is fantastic.
Love your videos, learnt more in 1 hr than fricking around in forums. So practical and accessible. Bravo!
I just simply connect my iPhone or iPad via the headphone jack into an Apple dock so I never have to be battery dependent, pick a playlist, hit shuffle and I'm done for hours and hours. I am more than happy with the sound quality, on 4 very good systems. The sound quality does improve with every new Apple hardware release...several audiophile friends have concurred. I may be a dinosaur but I'm a happy dinosaur.
I’m in the middle ground, an intermediate if you will. I really appreciate you making this content, everyone should always brush up on the basics.
Thank you John , i am a beginner and appreciate the simplicity 😁
Holly Molly just when I was struggling to cast Apple Music. Jee I have a Mi Box. This video is a God send. I was an assumption that purchase of iPad is the only way out
I got my Quad Vena II plugged to my Macbook and using Spotify mainly for its Connect function. The acoustics is ELAC BS 263. This setup gives me joy.
What are your thoughts on using the same DAC that is found in laptop/desktop in a separate enclosure.
Also I'm curious about noise differences from an battery powered DAC(example Fioo e7) or one powered with a decent USB wall adapter. I can notice something when my Fioo is charging or I touch it while charging.
Been enjoying your videos and getting a lot of info. We are an Apple home so what are about using Apple TV 4K to stream Apple Music?
I really enjoyed this. Looking to buy a new Hifi system but wasn't sure how streaming worked and how it coud be operated from a listening position. Before I watched this, I knew nothing. Now I know next to nothing but that's progress!
Nice video - as usual. Particularly liked the 'tone' remark. As a music lover with a degree in electronics and a lifetime working with all sorts of technology I find it can still get messy when trying to get to grips with products, particularly when mixing and matching hardware and services to get to the end point e.g. listening to the damn music as quickly and pain free as possible. Case in point your example of Apple Music/Chromecast etc. Your videos do a lot to de-mystify that, and so much more, so thanks and keep doing what you do. Now if only Apple would licence(more cheaply I guess?) more manufacturers to build Apple Music into their hardware life would be a lot easier and we wouldn't have to mess about with Airplay. Cheers John
Hello, very good video!
I have two questions:
1-getting the sound of the Xiaomi Mi Box through the USB port...do I have to configure something in the Xiaomi menu or does the sound come out automatically without touching anything?
2- Why do you use the external DAC and you don't get the sound from the Xiaomi minitoslink directly to the amplifier? Does it get much better using an external DAC?
Thanks
Thank you so much. I'm googling for weeks if not months to find a first step in streaming. I thought about getting a Pi, but because I'm new to it and not sure if I like it enough to leave my (great sounding) CD-player, I want to try out low key. And couldn't get through the swamp of information (do I want a network bridge or streamer, I still dont get that). Thanks to your video I can just start with 2 devices and go from there. Instead of directly buying an expensive streamer /bridge or fullblown audiophile raspberry. Take care, Richard
Thanks for the great video. What is needed to enable the music to play on speaker when I ask the Google assistant? (E.g. "ok Google, play music in living room") if the source is Spotify, does that leverage Spotify Connect ? Or does that go over Chromecast?
So is it better to use a digital to dac to speakers and turntable to amp to speakers, or just put everything through a receiver
Really appreciate seeing these options. For Apple, wouldn't things work better via the Apple TV 4K as our streamer? I think it also allows one to use an iPhone as a remote, or one can also use the Apple TV remote and put the album art and full lyrics on your TV. I plug my Apple TV straight into the KEF LS50 wireless 2 for my DAC and AMP and it's a true wonder, especially with the new KC62 woofer!
Heads up, with the new MacOS that's soon to release like literally tomorrow I believe, you can use any Mac as an AirPlay receiver and control the volume too with the iPhone. Been running the Beta for it and it works fantastically.
Any info on this in any article . Thanks
i use itunes remote app to control my mac mini.
If you'd done this with Apple Music you'd soon realise that the Apple Remote app cannot browse or search it. 😉
@@DarkoAudio that is true, but if you use apple music on your phone for searching. Then add what you want to listen to to your library, it is now available in iTunes remote app. Which means you can listen to hi-res music from your listening position, controlled by your phone (if AirPlay quality isn’t good enough for you). You know those audiophiles…
Just to confirm - you can use ,under Monterey , a certain number of Mac computers as Airplay receiver. I have Mac Mini from 2014 and it does not work on that. However, what’s the point of it? There is still nothing to allow you browse Apple Music on you iPhone and play it back through iPad or Mac . Please don’t say Apple Remote ! Only works for Library . Apple connect is badly required similar to Spotify Connect as John showed on his video. I’m amazed such a simple “app/ product” is not available.
Does anyone know how much additional drain there is on the phone's battery while using Airplay as opposed to cloud-based streaming? I don't often hear that mentioned. Additionally, would it be the same as while using Bluetooth?
Thank you
I “dropped out” of hifi (my Audio Research/Magnepan system were stolen) just before streaming became a thing. I have restarted and have rejoined the world of hifi with my Apple phone and quirky Apple Music. Figuring out streaming (where did iTunes go?) has been quite confusing and I haven’t gotten beyond using Bluetooth. I am looking forward to your next video to see and finally understand how to get some decent sound from my system beyond CD’s and vinyl.
Good stuff, thanks John! The chromecast codec topic was really useful, as sometimes the Mi Box is only recognized as a chromecast tool, not as a spotify connect tool! My setup: Xiaomi Mi Box 3 as streamer (running Spotify) --> Opctical commection --> Tangent Ampster BT II --> A pair of vintage Videoton stereo speakers. Works like charm! I have been experimenting on DAC front a bit (Mi Box's DAC, Dragonfly Black, FiiO E10K), eventually I stick with the Tangent's DAC for simplicity. For me the Mi Box works also without any HDMI connection. Best part of the whole Spotify ecosystem, that my car has a native app too, no need for AA or BT stream!
Moved from Spotify to Apple Music and I should have done this many moons ago. Hooked up a second hand Airport Express 2 ($30) to my active speakers (Beolab 18s + 19) and the CD sound quality of Apple is simply so much better than anything Spotify delivers. Used Soundiiz to transfer all my albums, playlist and tracks from Spotify to Apple Music by the way.
Probably I am missing something here. But can’t we just use iTunes remote (app) to control another apple device connected to a dac and just play the music? And in this way you honestly don’t need to use a streamer and we are NOT using the airplay . You can add some noise reduction device (Denafrips IRIS for instance) if you want to clear the computer signal noise.
For the two apps issue discussed in another reply, what I am doing is to use my iPad to control the music app, and use my cell phone as the remote, the apple system does the synergy quite quickly. And at least for me it is a better option as I don’t need to back and forth in one app trying to do two different things.
I'm relatively new to streaming myself - currently using a Linn Select DSM/Katalyst all in one dac/steamer/amp. I've tried all the various streaming platforms, but always come back to Spotify direct for its simplicity (eagerly awaiting their HiFi quality release). I currently also have a 6 months free trial of both Apple Music and Amazon Music and thanks to your previous video on the subject, now connect my iPad Pro to the Linn via usb c to usb b to access hi-res music ( I previously did the same with Tidal to play MQA encoded "master audio" tracks).
Beginner friendly! Speakers, amplifier and a Aragon Audio Stream3 and you got Spotify Connect, UNDOK NAS streamer, Internet radio, Fm and DAB+ radio. Comes with a remote control with a volume control. Good start to begin with. Sounds really nice.
I love spotify’s playlists, recommendations, podcasts, and user interface. but once you go losless, you never go back.
For me its also that Spotify is just horrible when it comes to artist payment/support and bought Top 100 etc Playlist spots. I really would love to dive into the Spotify ecosystem but this always puts me of :(
A great way of explaining the options for getting popular streaming services to play through through your HiFi speakers. As you alluded to, the Airplay options will also drain phone battery quicker as the phone's wifi is constantly receiving and transmitting.
Thanks for the guidance John. I’m in the process of setting up my first system and this video was a great help.
Big shout thank you for your video, specifically for beginners. Let me add, it is possible to use Apple Music from your couch without streaming from your iPhone. Remote App allows that, you may control your MacBook from your couch, accessing and controlling your Apple Music interface, streaming directly from your MacBook into your DAC.
Agreed, I use the Remote App to control my Mac remotely from my couch all the time. Not sure why he didn't mention this, a quick google search will point you to that option.
Because you CANNOT browse and search Apple Music with the Remote app. You need to add an album to your library first with the Apple Music app and only then can you control its playback with the Remote app. So it's a two-app solution -- and therefore not an elegant one. And this is why I didn't mention it in the video.
@@DarkoAudio Thanks for answering, I really like the content. You are right. not the smoothest but worth mentioning in the future it is a two-app solution but easier because it does not involve extra hardware (hdmi dummy, raspberry pi) and extra cost (tidal is more expensive) if you already own a computer.
Personally running a Scarlett Solo and a pair of Yamaha HS5's with Apple Music Lossless and as somebody who has just recently getting into high quality audio, this sounds amazing and it's a good setup as I didn't want to mess too much with Amps and all of that. This is just basically a plug and play with the Powered Speakers.
"I want to go back to basics, with very basic streaming setups, so here I have a pair of LS50 Meta.."
Thought that was pretty funny phrasing 😂
To me the most basic is to stream Apple Music on an iPhone and listen with headphones. Or via Apple TV and listen to music from the TV.
Good beginners video. I cheaped out (for the time being) and bought a second hand Apple Airport Express Base Station model A1264 off eBay for < 20 USD. The last version of this model type offered AirPlay (not AirPlay2) Reset it, added it to my wireless network, and ran an optical cable a couple of feet to my Integrated amp. Allows me to stream from my legacy library or Apple Music to make advantage of Lossless. That being said, I'm already embedded in the Apply Ecosystem - just pointing this out as an option. May pickup a BlueSound Node and use it as a transport in the future - or some other comparable device (likely to be covered in an upcoming video!)
As a beginner I appreciate your efforts in this. Thank you so much
Hi John, thank you so much for this video. It was absolutely what I needed as I am exactely that beginner you are addressing to. This helps a lot and I am already excited to watch the second part.
OMG - I have entered the "mum and dad" category ... I found my self thinking "please give me a recommendation for a shoebox and speakers for Eur 1500". I can still hear the difference between on the one hand CD's played on my linn classik and on the other spotify through my airdac and then linn classik amp. So with the arrival of spotify hifi I may still have some years of enjoyment before my ears give up.
Best addition to my personal setup was a PRIMARE NP5 supports airplay and all major streaming services. Not the cheapest but very good quality. And supports gapless playback
Apple Music on an Apple TV box then connect TV to DAC/ Hi-Fi with Toslink or RCA cable gives you a remote control and a large display for information about what’s playing plus it’s gapless.
Also once you’ve launched the app on the box you can then control it from iPhone/iPad similar to Spotify connect with data going straight to the box rather than via phone as airplay does.
The Apple TV resamples everything to 24/48.
This was my first system. Apple TV based. Bluesound is better for music.
@@bubbamike actually it supports upto 24/48 , if you click on the lossless button under what’s playing it tells you if it’s playing at 24/48, 24/44 or 16/44 . Yes it is capped at 24/48 so won’t do Hi-res but as John said this is for beginners.
@@scottscottsdale7868 undoubtedly the bluesound is better although doesn’t have native support for Apple Music only airplay but as you say it was your first system and this is Apple Music for beginners.
Hi john I use Apple TV for my streaming at home. I’d be interested in your thoughts on that kind of setup.
Thank you, John, for being the best source of Apple Music info on the interwebs!
First off, I love watching your videos. My set up is a Mac mini connected to a dac magic 200, to a vintage Linn Intek integrated. Using EMOTIVA B1+ at the moment. I use the Mac mini monitor less through either my MacBook or iPhone via an app called Remote +. It’s been great this far
Love the back to basics vids coming up John!! Nice to go back and learn all over again. I’ve got a question. Which DAC is better for speaker use only? The Schiit Modi 3+ or the iFi Zen DAC v2? Thanks for the advice and keep up the good work!!
Thanks for the video John, nice work ! The only way to play apple music from the couch without the stream travelling trough an iPhone is using an Apple TV. Of course you need a TV and HDMI connection... Using that set-up, you can use the Apple TV remote or use your iPad/iPhone as a remote.
Apple TV needs a digital audio out for this to really work well. Then you could pass the signal through a better quality DAC. This would take the phone out of the equation.
I believe we could use a Sonos Port streamer as well. Sonos is the only to natively stream Apple Music
@@babaker48 hdmi is a good digital audio out. You also need a AV receiver or an amp with hdmi in to complete the set-up.
@@babaker48 there are hdmi to usb-c @ etc. adapters
Is Chromecast playing from the Apple Music app lossless? I can't find an article that confirms this. Thanks.
any news about that? Is Atmos possible too?
I have essentially set up my older Apple TV as an intermediate streamer simply to display album art on my tv while streaming Spotify connect from my Yamaha WXC to my rig. In order ti do this I need to AirPlay Spotify to the Apply TV, then hand it off to the Yamaha for Spotify connect for better sonic results. Once the connection is established it stays displaying album art and info on the TV.
Hey dude… thanks for this video really handy. So I use apple and Sonos speaker system also with my tv. Is there a beginners way to improve this?
Great series of videos packed with knowledge and no BS and entertaining as always. Thank you John, peace and love from Manchester.
Monterey launched yesterday 25th just made the Mac an Airplay receiver!
How did you remote control your iPad from your phone? I have my Apple Music via a USB to optical connected to a Bluesound NODE and it’s working mostly OK. Now I want to control it from the couch.
Wouldn’t a DAC with airplay be better ?
Or an amp with Airplay and DAC built in .
@@tomf1dublin1 or a speaker with an amp, dac and AirPlay. KEF?
any idea if I need a DAC if I'm using the Mac Mini M1? I'm 53 so I have a foot in both camps - hifi separates and streaming. I'd like to buy a used NAD or similar amp and some nice used bookshelves but have the convenience of Spotify. I don't suppose you'll answer this but thought I'd ask. Many thanks and Merry Christmas 2022
I wanted to start my new beginner friendly set up. I already have Zen Dac V2 and Zen Dac Can and Senn 660s to begin with. Is it possible to use my Ipad Pro (Using Apple Music Lossless) as a music source? I'm planning to buy a USB C to USB adapter then connect it to my Zen Dac using the USB B to USB 3.0. Am I missing something in the set up? Thank you...
Thank you! Very helpful video. Genuine question: what’s the benefit of this setup when compared to a pair of sonos (one or fives) connected via airplay or direct from the cloud?
Sound quality
I really like the content you’re bringing, and your tone of voice is like a kind friend in a world of harsh opinions😊
Those doorstops pop up in Lidl from time to time for a couple of quid...great video again BTW John
!
I just checked, in Canada they are over $50. I might just use a soup can full of loose change instead. It’ll be cheaper.