DAC for Spotify

[Shanka]

Hello,

I am wanting to play Spotify from my Dell laptop through my hifi, I am pretty ignorant of how to do this apart from needing a dac.

Am I right in assuming that I do this via a usb port from my laptop into the dac and then analogue outputs to my hifi ?
Do I need any type of usb lead, my laptop does not have optical or coax outputs, it is a very basic model.

On the dac front was considering the following;
HRT music streamer II
Cambridge dacmagic
Arcam rdac
This is based on good reviews only I really am leaping into the abyss here, I am very non-techie so any simple advice will be greatly appreciated.I have no real idea about the pros and cons of any of these but am hoping to get the best sound possible from the laptop.

I know nothing about computer music files flac, lossless etc..... is gobbeldygook to me but I feel this is something I am going to have to discover about.I have reluctantly decided to join in the 21st century.

Thanks for any advice which will be greatly appreciated,

Thanks again

 

[The_Lhc]

You don't have to have a DAC, presumably the laptop has a headphone/line out, so you could just use a 3.5mm to two phono RCA lead to plug into your amp. A DAC would probably improve matters, so yes, a USB equipped DAC would be suitable, any lead will do.

Also if you're just going to listen to Spotify I wouldn't worry too much about the different file types.

 

[Anonymous]

The LHC is right you don't need to have a DAC, plus on Spotify the different files aren't that important, have you considered their premium service which can improve the listening quality. Arcam DAC's are worth a test if you are trying to narrow down your search.

 

[Shanka]

Hi,

Thanks for both your comments, I was looking to get the premium service for the better sound quality hence thinking I would need a dac.

However I have yet to try direct from the computer so will give it a try but was thinking the sound quality might be poor again why looking at the dac.

Thanks again for your help

 

[The_Lhc]

Well, like we said, a DAC probably will improve things, but it's quicker and cheaper to try the cable direct, if you're not happy with the sound from that you can try the DAC later.

 

[Anonymous]

why not buy an apple airport express? the dac in that ain't half bad, and you can stream music wirelessly from your laptop.

 

[AL13N]

For streaming Spotify to your Hi-Fi the above suggestion of an AirPort Express is definitely one to consider.

If you do go for the Premium service then you could also use an iPod Touch (or iPhone/iPad) to stream Spotify to the AirPort Express using AirPlay, thus no need for a computer.

You can always audition various DACs later on if you feel the need. Take your time, and in the meantime connect your laptop directly as suggested by The_Lhc. There's no need to wait around to enjoy all that great music through your Hi-Fi.

 

[Shanka]

Hi,

Thanks again for replies, can I use the airport as I have Dell not apple, I don't have wifi or any i devices so anything would have to be wired through the laptop, I have virgin media modem and a long lead to the laptop for mobility.

Sorry, I am dreadfully ignorant of these things and a bit of a mental block about this, thanks for your help and patience

 

[Anonymous]

your dell will work fine with it, you will need a single to twin phono cable and you also need to purchase "airfoil" to stream spotify, job done..

 

[Anonymous]

didn't spot that, could some sort of wireless dongle be used?

 

[AL13N]

could some sort of wireless dongle be used?

Yep. Something like the Audioengine W1 (£90).

 

[AL13N]

job done..

Not quite...

I don't have wifi

That means AirPort Express is off the list.

 

[Shanka]

Hi again,

Thanks for all the help, have just got a cable from headphone socket on laptop to rca outputs which works, the sound quality is passable but only run through a spare system to see what happens, not a penny spent,excellent.

I presume once I put through the main hifi the quality shortfalls will show, will I get a better signal outputting from the usb ?

Is there any real difference in these leads,usb, as I will want a minimum 5mtr cable.

I also guess the dac will improve this as well.Is there a huge difference in dac quality or should I just start at the bottom end and work up to my acceptable level ?

Thanks again, your comments are really helping this luddite !

 

[smuggs]

if you only use usb go for the hrt 4 mags i have read rave about it plus it looks very smart imo.

i have a dac-magic and again it sounds very good value for £230 and it runs quite cool and has many inputs a pass through and is well built.

but i have heard may good reviews on the arcam,mf dac and the firestone ones so i think any from £150-£300 would be a good sq jump. all the best

 

[daveh75]

job done..

Not quite...

I don't have wifi

That means AirPort Express is off the list.

Not really... An AEX can be used on a wired network.

 

[AL13N]

An AEX can be used on a wired network.

True. But they mentioned their laptop is connected to their Virgin Media modem which only has one ethernet port. Of course, they could use an ethernet switch but I think it would be less hassle to just connect the laptop directly via headphone output.

usb, as I will want a minimum 5mtr cable.

5m USB cable available HERE.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Shanka,

The HRT Music Streamer II is a very good DAC, It will improve Spotify greatly when used with your main Hi Fi. Its advantage is that it does not come with a power supply as it is USB powered from your computer. Your computer will recognise it as soon as you plug it in. Just use a normal A to B USB to connect to it and a normal phono cable to connect it to your amplifier.

Job done, and yes it does rightly get good reviews. Great value for Money in my opinion.

 

[Shanka]

Hi again,

Thanks for all advice comments and links, very interesting esp the little wireless blobs.

I think will go for the hrt music streamer as is cheap and simple with the long a-b usb lead and any views on the rca out lead ??

Just wanted to check one last detail, will the HRT deal with Spotify premium for the hi res stuff, I think it will but not certain, sorry.

Thanks again for all your help and still playing spotify thru one of my av systems for nowt, fabulous

 

[Anonymous]

I also use the HRT II streamer with my pc and spotify. It was noticeably better than using the headphone socket on my PC. Bass in particular was more tuneful.

 

[chelstondave]

Hi, I don't know if your laptop has an SPDIF output but computer music my dacmagic sounded loads better when I used this rather than the usb port. It might not be obvious as sometimes they hide them in the headphone socket.