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How do you play high quality digital music *LOCALLY* - (CD quality - or higher)?

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tomos:
This thread is *not* about streaming.
Most HiFi solutions for playing digital music involve streaming. That seems to be the norm these days, so other solutions aren't readily available or well publicised. I'm interested in the other solutions. Solutions that can be added to a DAC/amp combo have various names, and various capabilities. The companies never seem to straight up tell you what the product does -- it's like trying to solve a bleeding crime sometimes, trying to figure out what a HiFi product in this niche actually does ;-)
Hence the query below, and a summary of what I've figured out so far...

So, how do you play high quality digital music, CD quality (or higher) locally?
(I've completely ignored bluetooth below, as it seems to be more suited to mp3's.)

I have to admit I never use headphones (I get a sort of claustrophobia if I wear them more than a couple of minutes) so haven't listed any options involving headphones here:

#1 Most basic option seems to be computer with speakers.

#2 Then there's computer > DAC > speakers (better)

#3 Then there's a dedicated computer option -- often a Pi these days, with a "high hat" DAC for analog output, or a high hat to give a quality digital output. This solution appears to be very capable, with various quality software options. You need to be willing to mess around to get it right, and you pretty much need to leave it running constantly (I find both of these off-putting).

#4 Then there's a dedicated "Streamer" who's focus is normally streaming music from the internet, but usually includes capability to connect to your network (WiFi & possibly Ethernet). Sometimes called a Network Player.
#4.1 Connection options could include simply connecting a USB drive or an SD card (this is of particular interest to me, as I dont have a network as such, and after years of working at home I hate leaving computers running). Sometimes Streamers sound amazing, but they fall down on the software front.
#4.2 Software used by streamers usually works on a tablet or smartphone. Again, the focus is usually streaming, but music on the network is usually well supported as well. Simply connecting SD or USB dive seems to be rarely properly supported.


I'll put a few examples of streamers with Pros/Cons in a spoiler here:

some examples of streamers - with a european biasWhat I've been looking at:

Argon Audio Solo
~€250 only available in the EU
Sound supposed to be very good
Only has WiFi (no ethernet, no USB AFAIK)

Pro-Ject Stream Box S2
€300 September 2022
Seems to be quite good soundwise
Option to connect USB drive
There's an ultra version of same for 666
Software? Indexing poor: shows files from external drive as long list
Amazon reviews not very positive

ifi Zen Stream
€400 September 2022
Sounds great
Lots of connection problems and software dissatisfaction -- seems to work fine for some and be a disaster for others

Primare NP5 Prisma Mk2 streamer
€500+ September 2022
Very good sound!
Hardware minimal (note: no DAC). USB in (so can add USB drive), but not out.
Software okay, apparently

Bluesound Node (2i or 2021?)
~€575  September 2022
Sound good / Hardware good (DAC okay, for best sound use better external DAC)
Software considered the best for ease of use and user-friendliness! But has to re-index external drive on restarting😞


I know this isn't a hifi forum, so not really looking for solutions here - but am generally curious!

tomos:
As I say, I'm not interested in streaming - I actually love the limitation of CDs and will play a new purchase until I know it inside-out (presuming it's good enough).

But wanting to move toward digital files stored locally.

Deozaan:
This probably isn't the kind of answer you're looking for, but I usually use #1 or something similar when I listen to music. I'm not really an audiophile and don't pay much attention to having high quality hardware. Even so, I don't use any of the music streaming services, such as Spotify or YouTube Music. I don't like the idea of "renting" music through a subscription service. If I like something enough, I'll make sure I get a copy of it for "local" play.

What I do is I rip all my CDs to FLAC or just buy digital music in FLAC format (usually from Bandcamp) in the first place. Then I either play it from my computer, or use Plex to stream it from my computer to another device, such as the TV or my phone (with connected Bluetooth speaker/earphones).

I'd consider moving to #3 with a Raspberry Pi or NUC in the future (without the DAC because I don't care about having the best audio quality). The reason I'd go for a dedicated computer is because like you said, I need to leave my desktop PC running anytime I want to access my music (or videos) through Plex. And it would be more convenient and efficient to have a small, low-powered 5-30W device tucked away in a corner somewhere, running 24/7 than having my 500W desktop PC running constantly.

Shades:
There are still audio cards available with more different outputs that allow you to connect your (desktop) computer to decent HiFi equipment.

My needs are in principle also quite basic in this regard. The built-in audio card in my desktops and laptops is sufficient for me. However, I do have a small el cheapo 5.1 audio set which contains a FM radio, Bluetooth, card reader, USB A slot and tulip connectors to connect external audio to.

This el cheapo set produces quite some ruckus if asked and plays my MP3s and FLAC's stored in my local LAN very well (for my ears at least) and without hiccups. First tried to do this with Bluetooth, but even when there was only a meter of distance between audio set and laptops there would the occasional hiccup.

So I just went the old-fashioned way and used a 3,5" jack to tulip plugs conversion cable and connected that way. No worries about connection reliability, no extra noises or hisses are introduced. For me, it works marvelously.

tomos:
Thanks Deozaan and Shades. I'm interested in all solutions :up: and, as I say, curious.

I have been tempted by a small all in one but I'm going the more Hifi/seperates route because I already use a decent amp and decent enough speakers (all vintage but working well).

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