Av receiver with built-in Ethernet for streaming or dedicated streamer (e.g. M1-clic)

[admin_exported]

Hi I am in need of a new AV receiver and would also like to have high quality streaming audio playback from Apple lossless files on my iMac. I have auditioned Linn Majik and Akurate streamers (gulp - could not tell any difference!) and Musical Fidelity M1clic. But I am wondering if the ethernet streaming quality offered by mid-range AV amps (from Yamaha, Pioneer, Onkyo) approach those of the dedicated kit. I use a Musical Fidelity X-ray V3 cd player normally, with an MF A3.5 integrated amp and B&W 804 diamond speakers. (and have Mission centre and surround speakers fed by a Yamaha AV amp) Thanks for any advice! dave

 

[amcluesent]

>But I am wondering if the ethernet streaming quality offered by mid-range AV amps (from Yamaha, Pioneer, Onkyo) approach those of the dedicated kit<

Nope. The User INterface will be horrid for music, the UPnP implmentation will be unsupported with anything but Windows Media Player (with minimal s/w updates), Apple lossless may not be supported and the DACs will be voiced for movie crashes and bangs.

 

[GSB]

If it helps i use my avr to stream music(hard wired).

At this moment i'm switching between cd player and pc......can't realy hear a differance to be honest.

I have my tunes ripped to flac.

 

[Overdose]

Hi I am in need of a new AV receiver and would also like to have high quality streaming audio playback from Apple lossless files on my iMac. I have auditioned Linn Majik and Akurate streamers (gulp - could not tell any difference!) and Musical Fidelity M1clic. But I am wondering if the ethernet streaming quality offered by mid-range AV amps (from Yamaha, Pioneer, Onkyo) approach those of the dedicated kit. I use a Musical Fidelity X-ray V3 cd player normally, with an MF A3.5 integrated amp and B&W 804 diamond speakers. (and have Mission centre and surround speakers fed by a Yamaha AV amp) Thanks for any advice! dave

The streaming quality from any device will be the same, the output after the DAC may not be, but the differences are small enough to not be worth commenting on, ie the differences between the Linn products mentioned. How much in cost difference though?

User interface is important and it is worth checking to see what streaming sites are supported. Some offer excellent functionality and user interfaces, others not so. Control can in some circumstances, be via an Android or iOS device also.

Perhaps it would be a good idea to post this in the AV forum, as it's a bit of a crossover this one.

I would perhaps post this question in the AV forum too, as it is a bit of a crossover question.