If you’re switching to a virtual music setup and want to load wireless streaming power to your hi-fi system, you’ve come to the right place. Despite the lingering love for physical formats like vinyl and CDs, it’s evident that online streaming is a must-have and convenient in today’s landscape.
Being able to listen to music wirelessly in your home audio formula (and from various online sources) is now an incredibly convenient and flexible way to pay attention. It’s also a wonderful way for music lovers, especially those who enjoy high-resolution gambling. Virtual Music: To access and pay attention to all your songs in the most productive quality imaginable.
However, if it’s vital to you that your music sounds as good as possible, no matter how you choose to listen to it, a dedicated network audio transmitter is a must-have for your virtual hi-fi needs. Play lossless files stored locally or access CD-quality tracks from leading music subscription services, opting for a music streamer as a source is the most productive way to do them justice.
There are more options than ever when it comes to music streaming, with more compact and budget-friendly models from WiiM and Cambridge Audio joining models from Arcam, Naim, and Linn, all provided with the newest specs to satisfy anyone and everyone. Is the transmitter the most productive option for you?All of the music streamers on this list have been thoroughly tested using What Hi-Fi? In our engaged listening rooms, our recommendations below are therefore the result of genuine internal testing. You can learn more about our music transmitter testing procedure below or scroll down to consult our advisor on the most productive transmitter for every budget. Make your decision.
The tiny, horny MXN10 delivers impressive, engaging sound and impressive specs at an affordable price.
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This incredibly inexpensive case allows you to stream music to the masses, without being huge in terms of duration or price.
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The CXN100 is a sleek, feature-rich transmitter that offers enhanced functionality in clarity, refinement, accuracy, and openness.
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There may not be much to see, but Naim’s ND5 XS 2 focuses on top-notch sound rather than aesthetics. This one is worth every penny.
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A compelling proposition for those who like to keep things physical from time to time, the Technics SL-G700M2 is a well-designed, high-performance unit that looks to the long term but also addresses the past.
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Anyone looking to unlock the potential of their headphones, think seriously.
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The Klimax DSM AV represents the pinnacle of streaming sound quality, with a price tag to match.
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I’m the audio and hi-fi editor of What Hi-Fi?And I’ve been looking for audio and hi-fi products for almost a decade. When I review and present the most productive network music streamers, I appreciate the seamless sound functionality and the look to enjoy elegant delight as I contemplate the many streaming strategies and music that those multitasking products have to combine. During verification, I place special emphasis on the usability of the transmitter and the accompanying app, and I make sure that there are no interruptions or issues during streaming. My most sensible picks on this list range from the most affordable to the high-end, and they all passed those all-important tests to deliver the best functionality expected at their price.
Our opinion:
Until we reviewed the WiiM Pro Plus (below), the Cambridge Audio MXN10 was the most affordable music streamer to pass through our control rooms. However, it’s still excellent value for money and offers plenty of functionality outside of its small size, so we still think it’s an affordable staple value in the world of music streaming. The oddly minimalist transmitter doesn’t come with a remote control, nor does it come with a lot of physical connections on the back: an RCA, coaxial line-level analogue output. and optics are all you get; However, this little Titan still gives you everything you want by providing genuinely five-star levels of functionality.
Controlled via Cambridge Audio’s StreamMagic app, the MXN10 hosts a host of streaming strategies and services, adding Google Chromecast, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal, Deezer, Qobuz and web radio, as well as Bluetooth 5. 0 and stored file playback. on your local network. It’s very easy to use.
Effectively encompassing the functionality of its big brother CXN (V2) on a smaller scale (in length and price), the MXN10 inspired us by bringing much of that musical team spirit and that rhythmic, dynamic prowess we love so much about the CXN. Compared to rival Bluesound Node (2021), the MXN10 adds a new layer of dynamic expression and rhythmic agility that feels more original than the original song. The breadth and authority are impressive for such a small device, while the tone and texture of the tools stand out with a wonderful amount of detail. It is balanced and energetic, and it adapts to all the musical genres we play through it.
If you’re on a tight budget and small in space, but need incredible high-fidelity functionality than the WiiM, this MXN10 has the sonic resources and is an impressive rig for this still relatively affordable price.
Read the full Cambridge Audio MXN10 review
Our opinion:
The WiiM Pro Plus costs less than a fraction of the value of the budget music streamers we’ve reviewed in the past (see Cambridge Audio MXN10, above), and this incredibly affordable little unit inspired us so much that we knew it deserved a 2023. Hi-Fi system? Awarded when we first reviewed it.
It’s just as feature-rich as any of its more expensive alternatives, with AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, and Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections available. The WiiM app is the crowning glory: setup is quick and easy. It all makes sense and its ease of use will win over many. Through the app, you have access to all other streaming and music apps stored on the same network. It also has RCA, coaxial, and line-level optical connections, and can handle virtual audio files with up to 32-bit/768 kHz and DSD512 solution. This is more flexible than we expected at the end of this budget.
It’s ideal for adding transmission power smoothly and cost-effectively to an older hi-fi formula, but it can also be used to create a multi-room formula with an existing kit.
In terms of audio quality, the Pro Plus offers clear, detailed, and even quite dynamic sound. Feed it high-quality source files and you’ll be rewarded with a wonderful tooled soundstage, all streamed with a bit of luck and a little luck. Voices especially gain advantages from this quality, as the media are full of character, attitude, and emotion. It’s not as muscular or as richly textured as its more expensive alternatives, however, there’s plenty of attack that keeps a song going with the herbaceous beat. In fact, we enjoyed every minute of it.
A new WiiM Ultra will be released at High End Munich 2024 that adds a touchscreen, more connectivity options, and a new DAC chip, but it’s more expensive at $329 / AU$599 and we have yet to review this updated model. In addition, the Pro Plus is a well-executed, easy-to-use transmitter with a full sound and packed with features. For its price, you can’t ask for more.
Read the full WiiM Pro Plus review
Our opinion:
Following an illustrious and much-loved product like the multi-award-winning, Hall of Fame Cambridge Audio CXN (V2) is no small feat, but the new CXN100 pulls it off in style. Cleverly (or conservatively, depending on your point of view) it keeps the same design and many of the same features, but the innards of the new style have been redesigned and updated.
It now has the newer StreamMagic Gen four module (the same one used in the previous MXN10) and a new 32-bit ESS DAC chip, which means the CXN100 is smarter and has better specs than before. Newer, more effective parts have also been used. Circuits CXN. La list of streaming features is long: you can stream from your local NAS storage, from popular music streaming services, and with all available streaming and playback strategies (including stressed connectivity).
But it’s the sound quality of the CXN100 that really matters here: it makes great strides in terms of clarity, precision and openness. It’s a bold, roomy sound and it’s more articulate and subtle than the outgoing CXN (V2) in many areas. A sleeker presentation means the CXN100 stands out in terms of attack and agility, with crystal-clear edges for notes that bring crisp detail. We’re missing a touch of that richness and warmth in the old CXN (V2) that made listening relaxing; The more affordable and smaller MXN10 has that natural warmth for vocals, but it can’t compete with the CXN100’s new degrees of precision and space.
Feed it with high-resolution recordings and pair it with an amplifier and speakers with similar capabilities, and the new CXN100 will perform admirably.
Our opinion:
The award-winning ND5 XS 2 may be an entry-level device by Naim’s standards, but the sound it produces is not. If you get used to it, a decent amount (it may take a few months for Naim products to catch up). , its incredibly detailed, dynamic, and expressive sound makes it exciting to pay attention to.
We said in our review: “Tonally it is uniform, with the ability to delve into the low frequencies with ease and set them with rich and insightful mids and highs. He has the neutrality necessary to paint a fair picture of a song, refusing to do so. Force your own presentation just to catch the listener’s ear.
This neutrality is a testament to the quality of the transmitter at this premium price. The Naim sounds balanced regardless of the quality or genre of the source, and handles rhythmic patterns with a kind of maturity and ease that lesser transmitters can only dream of. The dynamic reflux of a song is as dramatic as it is subtle, while the emotion of ballads is conveyed with admirable degrees of insight, matched only through the incredibly fun, snappy, and energetic beats of hip-hop tracks.
But it’s not just a matter of sound. The ND5 XS 2 is also packed with features and capabilities to meet all your streaming needs. They come with Chromecast, Apple AirPlay, Spotify Connect, and Tidal, as well as UPnP support so you can stream from any connected storage, and there’s plenty of physical connections to be supported. It also supports files up to 32-bit/384kHz stored on an external NAS or a PC connected to the same network.
The only thing missing is a screen, but it is not essential; you use Naim’s own app (now renamed the Focal app)
Read the full Naim ND5 XS 2 review
Our opinion:
Do you combine physical media playback with wireless music streaming?This CD/SACD player with the intelligence of network audio streaming is a product of the 21st century. The Technics SL-G700M2 is a flexible virtual power supply that builds on its five-star predecessor and provides a wealth of virtual connectivity as well as a host of streaming options.
The SL-G700M2 is still a superbly designed chassis, with precision and a silky record case: compatibility and final quality are some of the most productive we’ve noticed in this regard. There are a few flaws left compared to the previous first generation. , meaning that streaming app software is rarely the most productive we’ve noticed, but it still gets the job done.
The M2 edition adds a new USB Type-B input and a new DAC, replacing the old AKM AK4497 with an ESS ES9026PRO chip. This replacement is due to strength issues with the original chip, however, the integration of the new DAC has resulted in a redesign. of the virtual board and an excuse to function even more, as well as upgrade the force system.
And we’re glad they did. This Technics streamer sounds excellent. His delivery is clear, detailed and insightful, managing to organize the musical data in a coherent and entertaining way. Its main one lies in the distribution of music in a balanced way, regardless of genre or source. Bold and authoritarian when the instance warrants it; Delicate when needed. This same character is provided in all virtual inputs and when used as a standalone DAC; It can also be used with a wide variety of association kits.
Musically engaging and versatile, this Technics SL-G700 is a high-performance CD player and transmitter that covers all bases while also being entertaining. Yes, it’s imaginable to get better sound with a separate setup, but this well-designed combination is difficult. to outperform at this point of value.
Read the full Technics SL-G700M2 review
Our opinion:
Uniti Atom Headphone Edition is a headphone-based edition of Uniti Atom, What Hi-Fi? The award-winning Uniti line of transmission systems with additional speakers and, like its predecessor, this edition includes many smart transmission features and connections.
Although the new Atom has been designed with headphone users in mind, it can of course also be used as a streaming preamp, connected to a force amplifier or a pair of active speakers.
At the center is Naim’s streaming platform, a gateway to streaming services (such as Qobuz, Tidal, and Spotify), web radio, and DLNA playback, while for AirPlay 2, Chromecast is integrated and Roon leverages this streaming know-how. Analog and virtual attachments, adding USB, coaxial, optical, RCA, and phono, are also integrated to connect more sources.
In terms of sound, the Headphone Edition has all the features expected from the Atom, characterized by impressive vision, dynamism and musicality, but its presentation is even more complicated and open, with greater separation of tools and very good degrees of detail.
It’s a bit more niche than most streamers on this list, but anyone can unlock the possibility of a high-end pair of headphones with a multi-faceted streaming formula, whether it’s to use them just as an office centerpiece or to slip through. In an existing transmission formula as well-fi, then that may be ideal.
Read the full Naim Uniti Atom Headphone Edition review
Our opinion:
The Linn Klimax DSM AV comes with a price tag that puts it out of reach for most people, and that ultra-high-end price tag comes with high expectations. But Linn’s latest top-of-the-range doesn’t just have a flawless design. , but it also provides plenty of sonic perception, clarity, and dynamic expression, not to mention an impressive point of organization and transparency. It lives up to its high-end price as well as its ambitious design.
There are 3 variants of the Klimax DSM, the AV edition here has 4 HDMI 2. 0 sockets and a single output supplied with e-ARC for this already extensive list of features. Specify the optional surround sound module for an additional £1,200 ($1,560/AU$2,395) and it can decode all existing movie sound formats, unless Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. However, if you want to go the surround sound route, you want to invest heavily in the Linn ecosystem, employing a full active 7. 1 configuration that employs the DSM. Stereo analog outputs and Exakt connections for a hybrid passive/active setup.
You can access music on your home network from a NAS storage drive or stream Tidal, Qobuz, or Spotify Connect. There’s also Bluetooth (version 4. 2) and AirPlay connectivity and can double as a Roon endpoint.
More than a streamer, the DSM is more of a streaming preamp. In addition to the multitude of HDMI inputs, it features a USB Type B, an optical and a pair of coaxials (in BNC form) and analog equivalents in balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA (x2) form.
The wonderful highlight of this generation is the arrival of the Organik virtual analog circuit, Linn’s first in-house DAC design that evolved from the first principles of the company’s three decades of virtual experience.
The result? This is a remarkable product that raises the benchmark in the high-end transmitter category. If you have the budget and formula to host this Linn streamer, we salute your luck and highly recommend you take the plunge.
Eversolo DMP-A6: We can’t congratulate this newcomer enough for its sleek interface and overall design. Whether you use the intuitive and organized smartphone app or the touchscreen (which is big, colorful, and crisp), the DMP-A6 is responsive and delightful to use. It has a large number of streaming capabilities, a variety of connections, and even has built-in storage. Although you can use more herbal warmth and subtlety, it sounds clear, solid, and forceful—a great choice for leaders in your class.
Bluesound Node (2021): A former award winner, this compact case offers plenty of streaming features and exciting sound for the money. An option for the Cambridge Audio MXN10, the Bluesound uses the BluOS app and platform (and can be connected to other BluOS). -compatible for multiroom), it has an HDMI eARC input and a headphone jack. On the sound side, it’s packed with power and delivers low-level dynamics with considerable subtlety.
Naim NSS 333: It’s not as expensive as the Linn, but this new Naim transmitter from their new three-hundredth series is one of the most musically satisfying listens we’ve heard in this category. It sounds inherently correct and its organized, articulate sound and dynamic form with all kinds of music is worthy of applause.
Music streamers are a standalone component of a compromised hi-fi setup. But while other hi-fi equipment, such as a turntable or CD player, has only one undeniable task to do, a music streamer (or a network audio streamer) wants to take care of many other wireless resources and be able to play music files from local storage. . in your network.
Most of the options on this list are compatible with the vast majority of high-resolution music formats, the upper limit can range from 24-bit/96kHz PCM registers for more basic products and up to 32-bit/768kHz for those looking to go further. . edge. However, we may not live too much on numbers, since the vast majority of music cannot be obtained on such excessive types of albums. The CD quality is 16-bit/44. 1 kHz and a 24-bit/ 192 kHz capacity deserves to be more than enough to satisfy the desires of maximum audiophiles.
In terms of connectivity, the streamers can boast AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, Spotify Connect, UPnP compatibility, and physical connections. Regardless of the model, you can also play local music files from a connected NAS player and pay attention to thousands of websites. radio stations. You’ll also be able to listen from your favorite music streaming facilities: at least Spotify and the maximum of probably higher-quality opportunities, such as Tidal or Qobuz, are integrated.
Bluetooth is almost included, and if it’s the best performing and highest quality aptX HD form, then great. Most audio streamers will also have virtual inputs, so in addition to playing music files from a USB stick or flash drive, you’ll be able to regularly force optical and coaxial virtual streams as well, making the streamer a sort of virtual hub for your system.
For the most productive user experience, you really want a smartphone or tablet to control your transmitter. Using your streamer’s app is the most productive way to browse giant music libraries, transfer between sources, and the fastest way to create playlists. If you’re not interested in that, you might want to look for models that have a giant screen and a classic remote.
Since we’re talking about practicalities, it’s worth mentioning that the first thing any music streamer wants is a solid internet connection and you need to decide whether you want to connect the vaporizer directly with an Ethernet cable or wirelessly. Wireless is attractive as it makes things easier and neater, and as long as your network is strong, it will work well for many people. If you can, opt for the one you’re stressed out as it provides a stronger connection and delivers the most productive sound quality, making everything smoother in long-term use.
In terms of value, as with all things hi-fi, streamers can vary wildly, and the value you can expect to pay depends on the rest of your setup. We recommend that spending about the same value as your amp would be a smart choice. position to start, although it will be worth being flexible to get the right one.
No matter what your budget is, music streamers are a great way to enjoy your sound from an undisputed wireless speaker, especially if you need to give your virtual music collection everything it deserves. If you love comfort but need better sound and have the space and budget to accommodate a stereo system, a hi-fi transmitter is the way to go.
Almost no matter which music streamer you buy, you’ll have access to an amazing diversity of music; However, say it carefully and it will make listening to that music even more enjoyable.
Every music streamer we review and rate on What Hi-Fi?is tested at our dedicated, acoustically treated testing facilities in Reading and London, where our in-house team of experts puts the new product through our rigorous testing process.
Which Hi-Fi system? It’s primarily a matter of comparative checking, so that each and every music streamer we review is heard and compared to the existing leader in its box and it’s worth evaluating how they compare to the competition of best-in-class performers. We keep our award-winning and five-star transmitters in our on-site warehouse so that they are available for comparison with new products. For all music streamer reviews, we compare the intelligence, specs, and connectivity of the stream, and we also use them for several days or even weeks to check how stylish they are in everyday listening.
We make sure to spend a lot of time with a new music streamer, making sure it’s fully up and running before we start checking and examining it with other component equipment, employing other recording formats, streaming services, and music genres as components. of our verification process. We also check every single connection, whether stressed and Wi-Fi, from AirPlay and Bluetooth to playing high-resolution tracks downloaded from our NAS storage, USB, digital, and analog connections. We also checked the streamer’s ease of use with the attached app, remote control, and on-screen demo (if they have one) and be on the lookout (and listen) for any connection interruptions.
All of our evaluation verdicts are agreed upon through the team as a whole and not through a single evaluator, to avoid subjectivity and individual bias. There is never any input from the brand, PR or our sales groups on our reviews or final verdict. We’ve prided ourselves on conducting independent, independent evaluations for about five decades, and that won’t replace it anytime soon.
You can read more about how we are and compare products on What Hi-Fi? here.
It depends on how you listen to the music and how flexible you want to give your system, but in general, yes, it’s worth it if most of your attention is digital/wireless.
In general, music streamers offer a number of features (whether it’s wireless streaming and stressed connectivity) that many other kits simply don’t offer. If you pay attention to music or radio on various online platforms, subscribe to multiple streaming services, or have as a complete virtual library of music discs, a music streamer makes it simple to access all those other resources from one place. The most productive music streamers will also stream all your music with the most productive sound quality imaginable and aid in high-quality local playback. resolution record formats.
A music server is a combination of recording and streaming capabilities, useful for organizing, assigning/editing metadata, and browsing your virtual music library. Products such as the N100 or the N10/2-S38 from Melco are wonderful examples of powerful and high-quality music servers. , while Nucleus de Roon is another option. It can come with its own app, network connection, and even CD ripping capabilities, such as the Bluesound Vault 2i or the Naim Uniti Core. It’s expensive, but it’s a high-quality way to build your virtual system.
Music streamers typically don’t have built-in storage, and you’ll need an external server, NAS, or hard drive for music disc storage, which a streamer can access via wireless or stressed media. Music streamers have more flexible streaming features and regularly come with a built-in DAC (which music servers don’t have). A server is more useful if you have a large compromised collection of downloaded DSD or high-resolution files, while a streamer is better if you pay attention to online streaming platforms more often.
To learn more, read our article on how to create your own virtual music library.
MORE:
Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music – What’s the Music Streaming Service for You?
MP3, AAC, WAV, FLAC: explanation of all audio records
Here’s a list of our checkways to check your hi-fi system.
How to Create Your Own Digital Music Library
Kashfia is the audio and hi-fi editor of What Hi-Fi?and first joined the logo more than 10 years ago. During his career in the customer generation industry, he has reviewed a large number of products (including speakers, amplifiers, and headphones). , participated in countless industry exhibitions around the world and fell in love with hi-fi equipment much bigger than her. In his spare time, Kash tends to have an ever-growing collection of houseplants and spends time with his cat Jolene. .
Which hi-fi stereo? It is from Future plc, a major foreign media organization and virtual publisher. Visit our corporate website.