Our top picks, from simple to more full-featured streamers
by Crutchfield's Ned O.
Nov 25, 2024
In this article: I’ll look at some of our favorite network music streaming devices for 2025...
- Best value streamer — WiiM Ultra
- Best for high-res streaming — Bluesound NODE
- Best powered multi-room streamer — Sonos Amp
- Best CD player/streamer — Marantz SACD 30n
- Best audiophile component streamer — Cambridge CXN100
- Best integrated amplifier with built-in streaming — NAD C 3050 BluOS-D
- Most user-friendly streaming interface — HiFi Rose RS250A
...Before we get down to it, I’ll talk about some general features all network players have in common.
M
ost of us are familiar with streaming services like Spotify. A whole generation has grown up streaming music on their phones, but not everyone has integrated network streaming into their home audio setup. What does a music streamer do that your phone can’t?
A streamer’s DAC (digital-to-analog converter) will generally give you better sound and decode higher resolution digital music. And a streamer will do it with less distortion and electrical interference than your phone or even your computer. In most cases it will also connect to your existing audio system without adapters or dongles.
They also let you access popular streaming services and free internet radio stations from across the globe. But it’s not only about streaming services. A lot of network streamers let you play your drive-stored music via Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or USB connections. Some even deliver their top resolution when you connect your computer to their USB-Type B inputs.
Easy app control
App control is the way to play, and different streamer brands use proprietary technology, but all the major players have the same basic features. They allow you to stream from a range of music services like Spotify, TIDAL, Qobuz, and others.
Streamer apps like MusicCast let you connect with and control like devices throughout your home.
You can also use your streamer's app to play music stored on your local hard drives. And in many cases it will let you add additional streamers and control them independently or together, so you can have music playing throughout your home.
Which streaming service do you use?
It’s definitely worth checking which streaming services are compatible with any network streamer you’re considering. It might make your decision for you. All streamers will operate at least at CD quality, and some can even play high-res files. We expect that most will evolve toward working with the maximum number of music services, at the maximum resolution available.
But it makes sense to find a streamer that works with what you’ve got — and what you want — in the present. Here at Crutchfield, opinions are split as to which platform is best. We’ll cover a few below.
The best music streamer for you
It took me a while to realize that I wanted a component network music player. I love filling in the gaps and finding new music on TIDAL and Qobuz. I tried streaming via Bluetooth through my hi-fi systems, with mixed results. After some experience testing a lot of different streamers with Wi-Fi, I’m in the market. And I’m still figuring out which one — or ones — I prefer.
The Sonos Amp has a small footprint and enormous flexibility, but here in "the spaceship" it's connected only to a pair of floor-standing MartinLogan speakers.
Do you want to stream music in different rooms? I know that after I got one streamer connected to the hi-fi system in my living room, I wanted to be able to connect to our other system, in the room we call "the spaceship.”
Many of the streamers on this list have the ability to connect with like devices and stream music throughout your home. If stable, user-friendly, multi-room connectivity is at the top of your wish list, some models will give you a better experience than others. If your goal is to get high-quality streaming audio in your main listening space, we’ve got you covered there, too.
Here are my top picks for different users.
Best value streamer — WiiM Ultra
The WiiM Ultra gives you all the user-friendliness and powerful audio control that you find in other WiiM streamers, along with an ES9038 Q2M SABRE DAC and the best output circuitry in their lineup. It's also got super-versatile connectivity and a full-color touchscreen. Our customers rave about its fantastic sound and value-packed feature set.
Analog and digital outputs let you connect the Ultra to just about any sound system. It also has analog inputs, including a dedicated grounded phono input. Digital inputs, including an HDMI ARC port, can accommodate TV, Blu-ray player, and more. And any source you have connected to the Ultra gets the benefit of its built-in room correction and other audio settings.
It also has a front-panel headphone jack and an output for a powered subwoofer (sold separately) with handy in-app bass management.
The Ultra makes the listening experience fun. I've got a couple of them in my home, and love seeing album art and track info on their screens when I stream and the virtual VU meter when I play vinyl on my turntable connected to the Ultra. And the sound is clear, rich, and detailed.
Details:
- high-performance streamer and preamp for digital and analog sources
- 3.5" full-color touchscreen
- free WiiM Home App works with streaming services and local drives
- can be part of a multi-room music system with other WiiM players (sold separately)
- compatible streaming services include Spotify, TIDAL, Amazon Music and Qobuz
- maximum resolution: 32-bit/384kHz
- supported high-res music formats include AAC, ALAC, FLAC, MP3, WAV, and WMA
- two-way Bluetooth can wirelessly receive audio from compatible devices and send audio to compatible headphones and speakers
- included remote accepts Amazon Alexa voice commands
- works with Google Cast, Roon, and DLNA to stream files stored locally on your network
Best for high-res streaming — Bluesound NODE
The Bluesound NODE packs a lot of features into a component about the size of a trade paperback book. Connect it to your receiver or powered speakers and voilà, you can stream from most popular music services, play high-res files, and get music from drives via USB. Stream wirelessly using either Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, or use a hardwired Ethernet connection.
You can even stream your TV's audio using the HDMI eARC input that is new in this version. It also has an upgraded DAC with even highter resolution decoding than its predecessor.
Bountiful output choices include RCA, optical and coaxial digital. There’s also an RCA subwoofer out and a 3.5 stereo headphone output. You can connect to other Bluesound devices wirelessly, or via hardwire. Bluesound is the brand of choice for many critical listeners looking for multi-room streaming. The app is easy to navigate and gives you flexible control when you’re working with connected rooms.
I had a chance to test the previous version, the extremely popular NODE 2i, on our living room hi-fi system, powered by a PS Audio Sprout 100 integrated amp through a pair of vintage Dynaco A-25s. Unboxing is a minimalist, design-oriented experience, and setup is simple. The BluOS controller app is flexible and user-friendly, and I was up and listening in about five minutes.
It was easy to pick out the Gibb brothers’ different voices in the deliciously syrupy production of Trafalgar, and the emphatic timpani really rang out. It also handled the trashy production on the proto-black-metal band Venom’s Welcome to Hell with aplomb — intelligible vocals and articulate riffs that from a lesser source often sound muddled.
Details:
- streaming music player with analog and digital output connection to your amplifier, receiver, or powered speakers
- free BluOS app lets you control up to 16 wirelessly connected Bluesound devices, and up to 64 hardwired
- compatible streaming services include Amazon Prime Music, Spotify, TIDAL, Qobuz, and HiResAudio
- maximum resolution: 32-bit/384kHz
- supported high-res music formats: FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF and MQA
- works with Apple AirPlay2, Roon, and 3rd-party smart home control systems including Control4, Crestron, Lutron, ELAN, and RTI
- voice control with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant (sold separately)
Best powered multi-room streamer — Sonos Amp
A Sonos Amp and a set of passive speakers makes a great standalone streaming stereo system. It’s small, but sounds big. And you can connect a turntable with a built-in or outboard phono preamp, or a CD player — or whatever component you choose — using the rear-panel line-level stereo RCA input. That’s pretty cool — to be able stream vinyl via your home network. There’s also an HDMI input port for playing your TV’s audio.
You can connect to your network using Ethernet or Wi-Fi, and use Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa for voice control. Sonos and Apple work really well together. You can play music with Apple AirPlay2 from any Apple device, and if you subscribe to Apple Music, you can use Siri to tell the Amp what selection or playlist to play.
Basic front panel controls and an optional remote work fine, but for optimum control, it’s still all about the app.
Sonos arguably makes multi-room audio easier than any other platform. You can connect other Sonos devices via Wi-Fi, and their line includes a wide variety of products that work together seamlessly — standalone and portable speakers, subwoofers, sound bars, network hubs, component streamers. If you decide to go Sonos, it will be really easy to connect your whole home.
My hands-on experience started with a pleasant unboxing — Sonos has taken an Apple-like approach. Easy-peasy setup and in minutes I was streaming some golden-age punk rock through the Amp in “the spaceship”— the Damned’s and Devo’s first albums.
Both of these records love to be played loud, and the Sonos amp is definitely up to the task, delivering lively and detailed audio that made me want to bounce around the house. Which would be even more fun if I had another connected Amp in the living room.
Details:
- amplified streaming music system
- 125 watts x 2
- free Sonos “S2” app lets you control up to 32 Sonos devices
- compatible streaming services include Spotify, Pandora, Amazon Prime Music, Apple Music, TIDAL, and Qobuz
- maximum resolution: 24-bit/48kHz
- supported high-res music formats: FLAC, ALAC, WAV and AIFF
- works with Apple AirPlay2
- voice control with Amazon Alexa and Sonos Voice enabled devices, including the Sonos Era 100 (sold separately)
Best CD player/streamer — Marantz SACD 30n
If you’ve already got an amp or receiver that you love, the Marantz SACD 30n will make your digital sources sound fantastic. It’s a network streamer controlled by the HEOS app. It also features a great CD transport that plays SACD (Super Audio CDs), audio CDs, and more. Build quality is substantial, with its innovative SACD-M3L transport mechanism, powerful toroidal transformer, and shielded construction inside the chassis.
HEOS app control puts you in the Denon/Marantz family of multi-room streaming, and there are several components and standalone speakers you can get to expand. Setup and connection are easy, and the app has the features you’d expect from the best multi-room platforms — stream from your favorite service, create and control groups, play the same or different music in separate rooms, and more.
It has a particularly great-sounding DAC — worth using its optical or coaxial digital inputs to convert other outboard digital sources to analog. There’s a fixed stereo RCA output for sending a signal on to a receiver, powered speakers or other component with volume control, and a variable stereo RCA output if you’re using it as a preamp and connecting directly to an amplifier.
It’s a great option if high-res music is your thing, with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Ethernet streaming at 24-bit/192kHz. The rear-panel asynchronous USB Type B port allows you to connect and stream from a Windows PC or Mac computer at up to 32-bit/384kHz.
Details:
- SACD/CD player/streamer
- plays SACDs, audio CDs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, and DVD-Rs (including MP3 and WMA discs)
- analog and digital output connections to your amplifier, receiver, or powered speakers
- free HEOS app lets you control up to 32 HEOS devices
- compatible streaming services include Spotify, Pandora, Amazon Prime Music, and TIDAL
- maximum resolution: 32-bit/384kHz (using rear-panel asynchronous USB Type B input)
- supported high-res music formats: FLAC, ALAC, and WAV, plus DSD and PCM via USB input
- works with Apple AirPlay2, DLNA, and Roon
- voice control with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant (sold separately)
Best audiophile component streamer — Cambridge CXN100
Attention to detail is what sets Cambridge components apart, and the CXN100 is no exception. Balanced XLR — and unbalanced RCA — outputs and a high-performance ESS Sabre DAC deliver audiophile-quality stereo imaging with high-res for all incoming digital sources. And your digital input options include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth streaming, optical and coaxial digital, USB and Ethernet.
Other details like full-metal construction, a toroidal power transformer, isolated componentry, and a detachable power cable work to keep output distortion-free. The large, dimmable, full-color screen displays easy-to-navigate menus, album art, track information, and more.
If you’re looking at the CXN100, you might be less interested in multi-room, and more into focused listening. You might even like to use the music aggregator platform Roon to sort, annotate and play your streaming music. You will be rewarded with textured and musical sound.
Details:
- network audio streamer with analog and digital output connections to your amplifier, receiver, or powered speakers
- free StreamMagic app lets you control volume and source selection
- compatible streaming services include Spotify, TIDAL, and Qobuz
- maximum resolution: 32-bit/768kHz
- supported high-res music formats: FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF, DSD and PCM
- works with Apple AirPlay2, Chromecast, UPnP, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, and Roon
- voice control with Google Assistant (sold separately)
Best integrated amplifier with built-in streaming — NAD C 3050 BluOS-D
The C 3050 BluOS-D integrated amp from NAD features a vintage-styled exterior with glowing analog VU meters and other classic cosmetic touches. But it's also got advanced amplification, a built-in high-performance DAC, Bluetooth, and versatile network streaming via the pre-installed MDC2 BluOS-D module.
It uses NAD's super-efficient HybridDigital UcD (Universal Class D) technology for effortlessly powerful amplification. It has the headroom to handle dynamic peaks, from hard-hitting electronic dance tracks to explosive Marvel movies. And it can drive even demanding low-impedance speakers with its cool-running high-current power, at vanishingly low noise and distortion levels — even when cranked.
This versatile amp has a high-performance Texas Instruments DAC and analog and digital connections, including a phono input, HDMI eARC port, and a USB. Dirac Live room correction lets you dial in the best sound for your space. And it can be part of a BluOS wireless multi-room system.
Details:
- 100 watts x 2 into 8 or 4 ohms
- MDC2 BluOS module pre-installed for flexible network streaming
- just add speakers using the five-way binding posts
- free BluOS Control App lets you control up to 63 BluOS streamers on the same network
- compatible streaming services include Spotify, TIDAL, Amazon Music and Qobuz
- maximum resolution: 24-bit/192kHz
- supported high-res music formats: MQA, FLAC, WAV, and AIFF
- analog and digital input connections, including eARC HDMI
- works with Apple AirPlay 2 and Roon to stream files stored locally on your network
Most user-friendly streaming interface — HiFi Rose RS250A
If you get a chance to play with the HiFi Rose RS250A’s pleasant touchscreen interface, you may have a hard time going back to knobs and LED readouts. Its onboard customized Android™ OS gives this high-performance streamer/DAC/preamplifier a user-friendliness that will feel like home to the smartphone generation.
It’s a fantastic-sounding preamp with digital and analog inputs. Audiophiles will appreciate its exceptionally smooth and detailed sound, disappearing noise floor, and remarkably low distortion. Its high-res DAC uses a femto clock, which measures time down to the femtosecond — one quadrillionth of a second — for incredibly precise and fluid audio.
You can customize what it displays when you’re playing music — the virtual VU meters look great. I’m also fan of its touchscreen settings adjustments, like the functional virtual back panel for switching inputs and outputs. You can fully control the RS250A using the touchscreen.
Phone and tablet connection is easy, and you’ll find all the same control in the free RoseConnect Premium app. It works with TIDAL, Spotify, Qobuz and more, plus your locally stored music. And you can add up to a 4TB SSD drive in the internal storage bay under the unit’s bottom panel.
And here’s something you don’t see on other streamers: 4K video decoding on the touchscreen and via HDMI. The RoseTube app lets you search and play YouTube videos that you can watch on the unit's full color screen or — even better — on your TV via HDMI. And you can connect your TV’s digital audio out into the RS250A for beautiful soundtrack audio.
Details:
- high-performance preamplifier with network audio and 4K video streaming
- 8.8" high-def, full-color touchscreen
- free RoseConnect Premium App works with streaming services and local drives
- compatible streaming services include Spotify, TIDAL, Amazon Music and Qobuz
- maximum resolution: 32-bit/768kHz
- supported high-res music formats: MQA, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD, PCM
- analog and digital inputs, including HDMI
- works with Apple AirPlay 2, Roon, and DLNA to stream files stored locally on your network
Need more details to figure out which streamer is best for you?
Contact one of our advisors for help choosing which network music streamer will work best for your situation.
Popular questions customers ask
Network streamers allow you to wirelessly stream from online music services like TIDAL, Spotify, Pandora, and many others, or from network-attached storage (NAS) drives connected to your local Wi-Fi network.
As long as your smartphone, tablet, or whatever device you're playing music from is connected to the internet, you can control your network streamer(s). Bluetooth, on the other hand, has a limited control range. You can also stream at higher audio resolution with Wi-Fi than you can over Bluetooth.
Ethernet is more stable than Wi-Fi for connecting to your home network. You also get higher audio resolution with Ethernet (up to 32-bit/384kHz) versus Wi-fi (up to 24-bit/192kHz resolution).
Some streamers have onboard control. But even for the ones that do, the most common way to control them is via app on your smartphone, tablet, or other device. There are different apps for different streamers. Some streamers also have remote control options. Some even have voice control but require a Google or Alexa enabled device.
All digital audio has to go through a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) to produce sound. Most streamers have onboard DACs. Any streamer with a built in DAC will have analog outputs. Streamers that don't have an analog output require an outboard DAC.
In addition to standalone network streamers, you can also get streaming capability in some integrated amps, stereo and home theater receivers, and powered speakers.
Comments (10)
-
Ron Compton
Posted on 6/10/2023
I have one and it's everything I could wish for.
-
John
Posted on 1/23/2023
Which streamers are family friendly, meaning kids can stream their Spotify music from the device without a phone (or intrusive Alexa/Google voice), and more than one person can access them with their phones?
See AlsoOur expert editors recommend the 8 best music streamers to buy during Black Friday7 Best Music Streamers of 2024 [For Real Audiophiles]The Best Music Streamers in 2024 - HiFi OasisDe 5 beste audio streamersNed O. from Crutchfield
on 1/24/2023
Hi John, We have tons of choices that make it easy to stream Spotify from a tablet, computer, or phone, and give your whole family easy access. Since I'm not sure if you want to add streaming to an existing system, start from scratch, or just get a standalone streaming speaker, I've asked one of our advisors to get in touch to help you figure out the best choice for you.
-
Ned Oldham from Crutchfield
Posted on 7/8/2021
Kev, there are so many services that we don't have room to list them all in the article, but if you look in the "Details" tab of any particular product on our website, you'll find a more comprehensive list. It's an evolving situation. Sonos, to mention one, does support LiveXLive.
-
C. Ramsey from Dayton
Posted on 7/8/2021
It seems that we're entering a new era in music streaming with Amazon & others now offering CD quality or higher audio. I've been disappointed to learn that my 5 yr old Yamaha Aventage does not support Amazon Music on MusicCast.
-
Bob from Cleveland
Posted on 7/7/2021
Nice features but underpowered for demanding 4 ohm speakers. Very happy with my NAD M33, yes a bit more expensive but better and higher power Purifi amplification, with next to no heat generated. Perfect for all my streaming and Bluetooth needs.
-
Ole Christensen from Amsterdam
Posted on 7/7/2021
I have a Ifi zen blue high fidelity Bluetooth streamer and I love the ease of use, build quality, and ease to connect.
-
James M Ritenour from COVINGTON
Posted on 7/7/2021
I understand that your list is personal and and everyone can have favorites. A year ago, give or take, I ordered a Yamaha N-R303 From you and even it was not available i waited...Finally, I gave up and changed my order to a Denon DRA-800H. I cant begin to tell you how thrilled we are with it. My wife and I listen to a ton of music. We stream Sirius, Pandora, IHeart, Amazon and others. We use the Xeos App to list our favorite channels from any source and have a simple press the button to change the source. We also use the Amazon Alexa device to play anything that crosses our mind. We have direct tuning on stations all over the world. The Denon works so well for us, it was the smartest decision we had made in a long time. Thank you Yamaha for being out of stock.
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Kev from Manassas, VA
Posted on 7/7/2021
I'm a long time Slacker subscriber, and I love their service and their features more than any other. Why is it almost none of today's streamers, including these here support LiveXLive (Slacker)? Or do some of them support it but you just neglected to mention?Otherwise, very informative. Thanks.
-
Charlie from SF Bay Area
Posted on 7/7/2021
My Audioengine B-Fi has been reliable. Forget the Audioengine app; I use BubbleUpnp on an Android tablet, which pulls streams off the Internet through our router and files off a PC on the home network, then sends them to the B-Fi. The B-Fi optical outlet goes into an amp that has an optical input, while the line output goes into a tube preamp. It all works well, except for the inevitable glitches of wifi in general.
-
Samir from Cherry Hill
Posted on 5/28/2021
This a great comparison article. As a cost-effective alternative to the Naim Uniti Atom in the "Best integrated amplifier with built-in streaming", I would suggest the Denon PMA-150H. I've owned one for just over a year, and it offers built-in support for a variety of streaming services (I've primarily used TIDAL HiFi on it), in addition to excellent sound quality.
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