Affordable Network Streamer Recommendations with MQA?

[sunshine83]

Hi guys, first of all I'm sorry if this is not the right place to ask this.

I'm looking for a network streamer with MQA unfolding capabilities. I've found iFi Pro iDSD but it's very expensive

Ideally I'd like to stream music from my iPhone via Airplay, then play MQA and hi-res flac and dsd files from either memory card or external harddrive. I am also getting hi-res Sony bookshelf speakers (Sony SS-C5). What would you recommend guys?

Thanks in advance.

 

[ScubaMan2017]

Welcome to head-fi dot org, @sunshine83 ! I had the following choices: (a) buy a designated streamer, like the Blue Sound Node 2i ([link] a highly customized Pi, that runs its own proprietary OS); (b) assemble a Raspberry Pi and go the Linux route [link]; or (c) pick up an Android-Enabled, Chromebook and plug my DAC into its USB port. I chose (c). I use Foobar 2000, VLC (for Android), and Universal Media Server (UMS is installed on my ‘mother-desktop’ where my multi-terabyte storage resides).

There another thread that might intrest you...
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/tunebox-2-possibly-the-better-chromecast-audio.899515/

Happy audio-flow design, eh. BTW, the following blog has a lot of excellent material about audio (and it’s not as shrill as other forums):
http://archimago.blogspot.com/

 

[sunshine83]

Welcome to head-fi dot org, @sunshine83 ! I had the following choices: (a) buy a designated streamer, like the Blue Sound Node 2i ([link] a highly customized Pi, that runs its own proprietary OS); (b) assemble a Raspberry Pi and go the Linux route [link]; or (c) pick up an Android-Enabled, Chromebook and plug my DAC into its USB port. I chose (c). I use Foobar 2000, VLC (for Android), and Universal Media Server (UMS is installed on my ‘mother-desktop’ where my multi-terabyte storage resides).

There another thread that might intrest you...
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/tunebox-2-possibly-the-better-chromecast-audio.899515/

Happy audio-flow design, eh. BTW, the following blog has a lot of excellent material about audio (and it’s not as shrill as other forums):
http://archimago.blogspot.com/

Thanks man, I'll do some research on those

 

[T Bone]

I'm looking for a network streamer with MQA unfolding capabilities. I've found iFi Pro iDSD but it's very expensive

What's you definition of "affordable"? Head-Fi'ers budget's vary widely.

I've had good results using the Auralic Altair in one of my systems.

 

[ScubaMan2017]

@T Bone ’s right on the money. I’ve learned to post price ranges (in either CDN-$ or USD). Avoid the paralyzing effect of ‘audio nervosa’... Damn the torpedos and go for it.