For years, plenty of committed listeners kept streaming at arm’s length — and understandably so. Early streaming sounded thin and lifeless next to a good CD or record. That world is gone. Done properly, streaming today can sound superb, and it puts virtually every recording ever made at your fingertips. Here’s how it works, without the jargon.
What a streamer actually does
A network streamer is simply a box that pulls music from the internet (or your home network) and converts it into a signal your hi-fi can play. Think of it as a modern-day CD player, except the disc is replaced by millions of tracks and the whole thing is controlled from an app on your phone or tablet. The good ones sound wonderful and are a genuine pleasure to use.
Lossless, hi-res and why quality now matters
The reason streaming has come of age is that the major services now offer lossless and even hi-res audio — CD quality and beyond — rather than the compressed files of old. Paired with a capable streamer and a good digital-to-analogue converter, that means no meaningful compromise against physical formats. The convenience, frankly, is remarkable.
You don’t have to start again
This is the part people are most pleased to hear: you almost certainly don’t need to replace your system. If you’ve a much-loved amplifier and speakers, a streamer like a WiiM can slot straight in and bring the whole thing online for a very sensible outlay. It’s one of the most satisfying upgrades we do — decades-old systems suddenly given a new lease of life.
Going further
If you’re building a system around streaming from the outset, there are beautifully integrated options — Roksan‘s Attessa range, for instance, brings streaming, amplification and real musical soul together in a way that keeps the box count down and the enjoyment up. And at the top of the tree sits the HiFi Rose RS151 — our flagship demonstration streamer, whose 15.4-inch screen makes an evening’s listening feel like an event. We’ll help you find the balance of convenience and performance that suits how you actually listen.
Hear them for yourself
Reading only gets you so far — streaming is best judged with your own ears and your own favourite albums. These are the streamers on our demonstration floor right now (this list keeps itself up to date as the floor changes):
Bluesound Node X Streamer
Bluesound's flagship Node streamer — BluOS multi-room streaming, hi-res support and a quality DAC built in.
Partnered withMusical Fidelity Nu-Vista 800.2
HiFi Rose RS151 High Performance Streamer
Rose's new flagship streamer: 15.4-inch touchscreen, ES9039PRO DAC and Roon Ready — here driving the Nu-Vista 800.2.
Partnered withMusical Fidelity Nu-Vista 800.2
WiiM Sound Streaming Speaker
WiiM's all-in-one streaming speaker — room-filling sound and the excellent WiiM app in one compact unit.
How it’s set upPlays on its own — just ask
Arcam ST25 Streamer
High-resolution network streaming with a superb built-in DAC — a natural partner for Arcam amplification.
Partnered withMusical Fidelity Nu-Vista 800.2
WiiM Ultra Streamer
Versatile, easy-to-use streaming with an excellent app — a simple way to bring streaming into any system.
Partnered withMonitor Audio Gold On-Wall
WiiM Amp Pro
Streaming, amplification and app control in one neat box — just add loudspeakers.
Partnered withMonitor Audio Bronze 50
See everything currently on demonstration.
Let us set it up with you
Getting a streamer talking to your network and sounding its best is exactly the sort of thing we love to sort out — either in the showroom or, better still, in your own home as part of an installation. Come and hear how good modern streaming can sound; you may be surprised. Get in touch and let’s have a chat.
— Duncan Lewis, Hi-Fi Specialist & Founder, SMC Hi-Fi
Questions about anything in this guide? We’re happy to talk it through — no hard sell, just straight answers. Contact us or call 01743 234945.
