HRT Music Streamer

[gjm]

Does anyone have any experience of this, or anything similar? I'm looking to put together a portable(ish) system for when I'm away from home: play music on my laptop, output to a DAC, feed to my Trend TA10.1 and connect that to a small pair of speakers. I'll be taking the laptop with me anyway so it's an obvious choice of source.

DIY Paradise did have the Duet but that's been out of stock for a while. Yeo's a busy guy!

One other thing that may be a consideration is the DAC chip used; I've seen a few different offerings using different chips.

Any thoughts or suggestions? Bear in mind that I'm looking for a USB-powered USB DAC, and not a USB->SPDIF converter.

[bmckenney]

I heard that HRT will be releasing all new DAC's where each model will be Async including the Streamer and Streamer+. Not sure if there is a price increase. If true, then you might want to wait.

I have the Streamer. It's not bad for what it cost and is very portable. I find dynamics are pretty soft and resolving power is on the low side, so it's not a big rig DAC but does well for background stuff.

[gazar]

gjm wrote:

Does anyone have any experience of this, or anything similar? I'm looking to put together a portable(ish) system for when I'm away from home: play music on my laptop, output to a DAC, feed to my Trend TA10.1 and connect that to a small pair of speakers. I'll be taking the laptop with me anyway so it's an obvious choice of source.

DIY Paradise did have the Duet but that's been out of stock for a while. Yeo's a busy guy!

One other thing that may be a consideration is the DAC chip used; I've seen a few different offerings using different chips.

Any thoughts or suggestions? Bear in mind that I'm looking for a USB-powered USB DAC, and not a USB->SPDIF converter.

I usea Nu-Force Icon mobilefor plugging into my office PC at work. Hugeimprovement on sound quality when used with PC speakers.

It has mini usb input and acts as a DAC in this mode.

Becomes a I-Pod external amp when phono jack input is used.

LINK

[AmDismal]

HRT? Probably be even less popular with women than the iPad...

[gjm]

AmDismal wrote:

HRT? Probably be even less popular with women than the iPad...

Oh dear...

The only thing that's really putting me off the HRT Streamer (I'm not considering the Streamer+) is the price... The eBay link I included shows it for sale at £109+p&p, which is a reduction from £119+p&p. Reviews in the US press list it at US$89-$99! I guess that is just market economics in action. (Let's not get into dealer markups, OK?)

I'm not expecting incredible dynamics or similar - I'd just like to have some music that can be comfortably listened to while working away; has anyone tried listening to music coming from a laptop loudspeaker?

It'd also make for a simple and convenient second system.

Thanks for the NuForce link Gaz.

I have found a couple of other candidates here and here. I suspect it's units like these two that have pushed HRT into upgrading their DAC chip.

[gazar]

That Aune device looks very handy. USB dac, headphone amp and a SPDIF output.

Only thing is that it looks like it needs an external DC supply,so no use for use on the move with I-Podand you would have to hump about the power supply unit.

[gjm]

gazar wrote:

That Aune device looks very handy. USB dac, headphone amp and a SPDIF output.

Only thing is that it looks like it needs an external DC supply,Â*so no use for use on the move with I-PodÂ*and you would have to hump about the power supply unit.

Yup: "DC Input：DC9-12V 1000mA(Positive Center)" - I missed that part of the description, and for me it excludes this item. I want it to be USB-driven and not have an external psu.

I doubt any similar device will be able to drive headphones directly without using an extra psu.

The CSG looks interesting, and at £40 less than the HRT it's rapidly becoming my preferred solution.