What streamer for Anthem STR PRE?

[Foxchapeliron]

I just ordered an Anthem STR pre amp and the STR amp to match. I currently stream HEOS with Tidal hi fi and MQA’s. What is the cleanest streaming set up that doesn’t add processing and lets the STR dac do the beautiful work? Volume control and set up is another question I guess. Want to use an optical input to the str and just stream to it with as little processing as possible. I’ve looked at so many streaming options I’m confused.

 

[Foxchapeliron]

I just ordered an Anthem STR pre amp and the STR amp to match. I currently stream HEOS with Tidal hi fi and MQA’s. What is the cleanest streaming set up that doesn’t add processing and lets the STR dac do the beautiful work? Volume control and set up is another question I guess. Want to use an optical input to the str and just stream to it with as little processing as possible. I’ve looked at so many streaming options I’m confused.

And I’m open to ditching HEOS but would like to remain on Tidal

 

[John Parks]

Do you have a budget in mind? That can really narrow down suggestions (though folks here will gladly blow it - your budget, that is). I, for one, cannot recommend strongly enough the Bluesound NODE 2i for features and ease of use:

NODE - Bluesound

The Bluesound NODE unlocks the world of hi-res music streaming and multi-room audio to create a modern addition to existing hi-fi systems or your favorite set of powered speakers.

www.bluesound.com

 

[Foxchapeliron]

Budget is not a huge deal as I spent 10k on an amp and preamp and if I make a mistake feeding it what was the point. I will look at the node, thank you. If you are currently using it can it be run straight through with no processing? What do you do with volume or level to the preamp?

 

[Leemix]

The node 2 or any streamer you should run it digitally straight through with no volume control or other DSP in the streamer. On the node2i thats just to set output to “fixed” and there should be similar settings in other streamers also. I use the older node2 not the “i” version and very happy with it but there are other much more expensive streamers out there.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[John Parks]

What @Leemix said!

 

[Foxchapeliron]

The node 2 or any streamer you should run it digitally straight through with no volume control or other DSP in the streamer. On the node2i thats just to set output to “fixed” and there should be similar settings in other streamers also. I use the older node2 not the “i” version and very happy with it but there are other much more expensive streamers out there.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Awesome thank you! I don’t wish to blow money to just think that fixes things or makes it better. The str’s I know will make things better! I’m streaming through a marantz 7013 right now to an anthem A2 and it’s nice but I’m getting in deeper now! My dealer is trading them in. Our only question was the right streamer. Do you use the phone app at all? Any good? The reviews on the App Store bash it

 

[Leemix]

Awesome thank you! I don’t wish to blow money to just think that fixes things or makes it better. The str’s I know will make things better! I’m streaming through a marantz 7013 right now to an anthem A2 and it’s nice but I’m getting in deeper now! My dealer is trading them in. Our only question was the right streamer. Do you use the phone app at all? Any good? The reviews on the App Store bash it

I do use the bluesound app, havent tried any other app so cant say if those are better. The bluesound one works fine for me, I usually use it on an ipad but sometimes on the iphone.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[John Parks]

Though the Bluesound app works very well, I prefer Roon, which incorporates seamlessly with the NODE.

 

[flyboylr45]

I’m pretty sure if you connect any of the streamers digitally, you’re bypassing the ability of the streamer to decode MQA. The STR, which I have currently, will not decode MQA. You have to use the streamer’s DAC which decodes MQA to get the benefits of MQA.

 

[cpp]

I use a simple Lumin, got one used and we love it. Actually have two now. Controlled by my Ipad or iphone. NO desktop Windows or MAC "PC" to fool with. Connected right to my 1Gb internet, via Ethernet. And my Nighthawk Cm2000 router., Stream via Tidal and Qobuz,. The Lumin does a full unfolding of MQA files, if thats your thing.

 

[Foxchapeliron]

I’m pretty sure if you connect any of the streamers digitally, you’re bypassing the ability of the streamer to decode MQA. The STR, which I have currently, will not decode MQA. You have to use the streamer’s DAC which decodes MQA to get the benefits of MQA.

Gotcha. Thank you. If you use the decoding of it I am guessing the str is also doing its dac work? Is there any reason to not do that so I get MQA’s? I did read the str does not do MQA’s but forgot it. So many things to consider and I’ve read where some decoding by one dac is doing different things that a second inline dac can’t use or won’t use. I wish anthem made a component streamer of their own that is designed around their equipment

 

[flyboylr45]

Gotcha. Thank you. If you use the decoding of it I am guessing the str is also doing its dac work? Is there any reason to not do that so I get MQA’s? I did read the str does not do MQA’s but forgot it. So many things to consider and I’ve read where some decoding by one dac is doing different things that a second inline dac can’t use or won’t use. I wish anthem made a component streamer of their own that is designed around their equipment

If the streamer decodes the MQA, the only thing the STR is doing would be ADC to DAC to run the signal through ARC. That’s how I understand it.

 

[John Parks]

If MQA is important to you, you would use the analog outputs on the NODE as it does the “second unfold” of the MQA file to analog. If you were to use the digital output to a non-MQA dac, you would not get the benefit of the fully unfolded MQA file. Again, only if MQA is important to you. If not, just enjoy and stream away!

 

[chrysler82000]

I just ordered an Anthem STR pre amp and the STR amp to match. I currently stream HEOS with Tidal hi fi and MQA’s. What is the cleanest streaming set up that doesn’t add processing and lets the STR dac do the beautiful work? Volume control and set up is another question I guess. Want to use an optical input to the str and just stream to it with as little processing as possible. I’ve looked at so many streaming options I’m confused.

Can I get your thoughts on the STR's? Last year I bought a pair of Revel Salon 2's and the str amp. I was using a 20 year old rotel pre amp and a dac. I was streaming with Tidal but found it to be a little pricey so I canceled Tidal and for $12.99/mo Amazon HD sounds every bit as good. I like the format a little better on amazon and so far it has everything I've looked for. I think Prime is the better deal. This past weekend I bought the str preamp, I'm not getting the $4000 wow. I'm actually a bit disappointed with str pre and Anthem customer service. I emailed Anthem 2 days ago and I haven't received a response. As nifty as arc Genesis is, it's room calibratioin was lacking. I had to fix everything. I don't find it very convenient to have to carry a laptop around everytime you wanna change something. You've been playing around with your for a while. What are your impressions? By the way I am hard wired form usb on my laptop to the str usb dac. If bluetooth was available on this str I would probably use it. But we don't have that option. Maybe I should be crystal clear. Amazon Prime HD. The free amazon music is NOT what you want. There is a HUGE sound quality difference.

 

[Foxchapeliron]

Thus far I am very happy. Quiet quiet background on the soundstage and a full sound range. And such monster clean power I found what I wanted but I did do allot of tweaking and tuning manually as my setup confuses arc. It’s 12 foot ceilings in a brick and mortar metal art studio 30x40. I run dual towers each separately wired to the str and I use a node2i on coax as well as analog since it can unfold MQA’s and it’s hard wired Ethernet. Bluetooth is available on it and I stream podcasts that way but not music since it is such a narrow stream for audio. I run balanced stage right monoprice cables to my paradigm x15’s and tune them with their phone app. Removed all low freq effects. Str is crossed over at 50 and the def tech bp9080’s still pound. 4 of them! Two stacked beside each other on left, same on right with a slight toe out between. Unbelievable experience in this shop. The str temp routinely sees 145 degrees

 

[Foxchapeliron]

I will say the times I have contacted anthem I spoke with Upi, yes that’s his name, and they were through, even took the time to take my questions to the back room engineers that we don’t get to access and got detailed answers for me. Also I ran three dedicated new copper runs from my breaker box with true 20 amp outlets to feed these hungry components. No struggles for power and allows them to do their thing. I am sure my set up is very unique and there is the whole arc thing that does not recognize my tones as they bounce allot but it’s good set up for me. If I was in a proper room I would use arc and hope I didn’t experience your problems. I am not a fan of the laptop set up for music or tuning either but it’s how you get the small settings that make a difference in the correct set up. Mine is not a correct set up, it’s a wall of sound in an art studio

 

[Foxchapeliron]

 

[Foxchapeliron]

 

[chrysler82000]

You are a lot further along than I am. I personally don't have a use for the node, unless of course I wanted to go wireless. But like you say you lose too much data. And you have subs, so I guess the anthem will be a huge benefit for you. And your room is HUGE. I'm just not sure I can add any more bass in my home. My 2 channel strictly music room is upstairs. I'm in a townhouse and I have really great neighbors. They have been generously gracious. They don't complain about my dual svs pb3k's downstairs in my theatre room. For me to add bass to my Salon 2's I fear will be too much. And these Salon put out plenty of low frequency for my small 12' cathedral ceiling, 14'wide 12'deep room. Which arc genesis all but turned off. After room correction bass was long gone?! After 4 days now I guess my biggest complaint with the str preamp, it's expensive. Yes it has plenty of features, but I haven't experienced any huge benefit for arc genesis. My $400 pre-box s2 dac produced the same sound quality. And then I was very disappointed that Anthem hasn't responded to my email. It was a simple question. Does the anthem mic support REW. REW recognizes it but it won't accept the calibration file as it turns up chinese. I have since learned that the anthem mic does NOT support REW. Anthem is proprietary. Which pisses me off. Premium product with premium prices and it's proprietary...ugh...At this point I'm undecided if I'm gonna keep it or return it. I really like the idea of matching components but it's not adding enough value....yet....I'm gonna try and get the sales guy to sweeten this deal. I need a mic for REW and I can use a few acoustic panels. Sounds like you benefit from some panels too. And they ain't cheap, your size room my cost you a couple grand. Did you see this one?