MUSIC STREAMERS
THE BEST WAY TO SHARE YOUR TUNES AROUND THE HOUSE
Audiolab 6000N Play £449
Best music streamer under £500, Awards 2020 ★★★★★
A great, affordable way to implement streaming into your system without compromising sonic quality. The best budget solution we’ve seen… Outputs Line-in, coaxial, optical, subwoofer
Chord 2yu £449
November 2021 ★★★★★
Partnered with a suitably capable digital-to-analogue converter, this could be all the digital source you’ll ever need.
Outputs USB, coaxial, optical, BNC
Bluesound Node (2021) £549
Best music streamer under £750, Awards 2021 ★★★★★
For this outlay the Node 2021 represents one of the most entertaining and comprehensive ways of adding music streaming to your hi-fi system. Outputs RCA, coaxial, optical, subwoofer, 3.5mm
Cambridge CXN V2 £799
Best music streamer £750-£1000, Awards 2021 ★★★★★
All the success of the classy CXN streamer, with added Google Chromecast. Great design, feature set and performance. Inputs Coaxial, optical, USB x2
Chord 2go £995
July 2020 ★★★★★
The Chord 2go is a brilliant way to add streaming capability to the company’s Award-winning Hugo 2 DAC (and only the Hugo 2). Works as a server too Inputs Ethernet
Arcam ST60 £1199
Best music streamer £1000-£1500, Awards 2021 ★★★★★
Arcam’s first effort in the music streaming field is laudable: the ST60 ticks multiple streaming boxes while prioritising performance.
Inputs Coaxial, optical, USB
Cambridge Audio Azur 851N £1399
Best music streamer £1000-£1500, Awards 2018 ★★★★★
A sterling streamer that boasts excellent file support, plenty of connections and a sound that’s both expressive and dynamic. Inputs Coaxial x2, optical x2, USB x3
NAD C 658 £1499
Best music streamer £1000-£1500, Awards 2020 ★★★★★
One of the most fully furnished, future-proofed and intuitive streamers we’ve come across – and one of the most convincing performers at this price. Inputs Coaxial, optical, USB, phono, RCA
Melco N100 £1999
June 2020 ★★★★★
An excellent choice if you’re looking for a high-quality streamer with storage built-in and already have a capable DAC, or can add one. Inputs USB 3.0 x2, ethernet Outputs USB 3.0
Naim ND5 XS 2 £2299
Best music streamer over £1500, Awards 2021 ★★★★★
Naim’s ‘entry-level’ network streamer? Fear not; if this is the best your system ever sounds, you’ll be doing your ears mighty proud. Inputs USB, ethernet Outputs Line-out, DIN, coaxial, optical
Technics SL-G700 £2350
February 2020 ★★★★★
A high quality digital source that covers all the bases – including CD and SACD to go along with its terrific streaming smarts.
Inputs Coaxial, optical Outputs Line-out, balanced, coaxial, optical
Cambridge Audio Edge NQ £3500
March 2019 ★★★★★
A truly fantastic streaming preamplifier that has a clear, bold and spacious presentation across all its many inputs. And it looks good, too.
Inputs Line-in x2, balanced XLR, coaxial, optical x2, HDMI, USB x2, BT
Moon 390 £4750
February 2019 ★★★★★
A well connected streaming preamplifier that’s uncluttered in design and use, and sounds terrifically dynamic, refined and engaging.
Inputs Line-in, MM/MC, balanced XLR, coaxial, optical, AES/EBU, HDMI x4
Linn Selekt DSM £5250
Reviewed online, 2019 ★★★★★
If you’re looking for a top-end one-box electronics solution, this is a good place to start. Its modular approach to high-quality sound is admirable. Inputs Line-in, MM, MC, coaxial x2, optical x2, HDMI, USB, Airplay
Linn Klimax DSM AV £30,000
January 2021 ★★★★★
When it comes to insight, clarity and dynamic expression, Linn’s exceptional range-topping Klimax DSM is second to none.
Inputs Toslink x1, SPDIF x2, balanced XLR x1, RCA x2, USB x1, HDMI x4