My favorite recent discovery in the HiFi world (after losing interest about 15 years ago) are the WiiM network streamers. Connect them up to any old system via RCA, toslink or coax and you can:
- stream from a wide number of subscription services
- stream from your own DLNA server or samba share
- cast from Chromecast or AirPlay
- with multiple devices, you can do multi-room synchronized streaming
- apply parametric EQ, including (in the higher end models) auto room correction
- hook up a digital source (eg, TV) so you can apply EQ
- hook up an analog device (like a turntable) and stream it to the rest of the devices in the house
The app's surprisingly good, the firmware updated regularly.
The cheapest version is under $100. They're like Chromecast Audio's on steroids. When (eventually) they die or get superseded, it's easy to replace without needing to touch the rest of the system.
I have 3 at the moment, the main one hooked up my amp and speakers from the 80s, which I picked up used in the 2000s.
Well said. I have a Wiim Pro & Mini, and love them both. And it's the best way of minimising waste (given some waste is inevitable as standards change, until they let us change the board inside the Wiim or something!)
I've been really impressed by how they keep pushing features out to old devices. Like, there was no reason for them to give the Mini 10 band PEQ - they could have made people upgrade. But no, the working (seemingly quite hard) to get the performance out of the chip in the Mini to do it, and pushed the update out to everyone.
- stream from a wide number of subscription services
- stream from your own DLNA server or samba share
- cast from Chromecast or AirPlay
- with multiple devices, you can do multi-room synchronized streaming
- apply parametric EQ, including (in the higher end models) auto room correction
- hook up a digital source (eg, TV) so you can apply EQ
- hook up an analog device (like a turntable) and stream it to the rest of the devices in the house
The app's surprisingly good, the firmware updated regularly.
The cheapest version is under $100. They're like Chromecast Audio's on steroids. When (eventually) they die or get superseded, it's easy to replace without needing to touch the rest of the system.
I have 3 at the moment, the main one hooked up my amp and speakers from the 80s, which I picked up used in the 2000s.