Digital music has become an essential way to listen to and enjoy your music easily. More and more Hi-Fi brands are now focusing on it, offering products with ever-better sound quality. In this buying guide, maPlatine.com gives you a few tips on choosing the right digital music equipment from all the Hi-Fi products on the market.
1. The different ways to listen to digital music
There are various products for playing your digital music. Depending on the Hi-Fi system you want to build, some devices will be better suited than others.
1.1. I'm looking for a dedicated solution to listen to my digital music
If you want to build a quality system entirely dedicated to digital music, you will need a network player, an external DAC (digital-to-analogue converter) or a Bluetooth receiver, all connected, of course, to an amplifier and speakers!
- Network players / DACs
The role of a network player (also called a streamer) is to retrieve the digital file stored on a computer, a hard drive, etc., or the stream from an app (Qobuz, Spotify…). The DAC (internal or external) then takes over: it converts the digital signal it receives into an analogue signal, one that humans can hear. The DAC therefore plays a major role in listening to digital music!
Most audio sources come with a built-in DAC as standard. This is the case, for example, with the network players from Cambridge Audio or Atoll Electronique. However, adding an external DAC to your system gives you better, more precise sound, and is a good way to upgrade your system later on.
- Bluetooth receivers
A Bluetooth receiver is a small box that lets you listen to digital audio files over a simple Bluetooth connection. It links your Hi-Fi system's amplifier to your smartphone or computer, so you can fully enjoy your digital music on your Hi-Fi speakers!
Bear in mind, however, that the Bluetooth signal limits sound quality. If you are looking for high-resolution audiophile listening, a Bluetooth receiver won't be the best solution for you. A Bluetooth receiver is better seen as a convenient extra for listening to digital music.
1.2. I'm looking for an integrated solution to listen to my digital music
Planning to build a complete Hi-Fi system that brings together different sources to play vinyl records, CDs and digital music? There are solutions that let you do this without multiplying your equipment.
As digital music has become mainstream, manufacturers have developed "all-in-one" amplifiers. These have all the inputs needed to play different music formats, so you can connect a turntable, a CD player or a network player to one single amplifier.
Several manufacturers offer this type of product at different price points. On a tighter budget, we offer for example the Pro-Ject Maia all-in-one integrated amplifier or the Rotel A11. With a bigger budget, the Cyrus One HD or Cambridge Audio CXA81 amplifiers are renowned for their high audiophile quality.
It's also worth knowing that if the device has a built-in DAC, you can connect more digital sources and even plug your TV into your amplifier, giving you a truly complete audio/video Hi-Fi system!
1.3. I'm looking for a portable solution to listen to my digital music
Want to enjoy your digital music in audiophile quality, even on the move? A portable DAC makes this possible. This small device adds an external DAC that noticeably improves sound quality.
A portable DAC sits between your Hi-Fi headphones and your smartphone or computer. These portable DACs look like a small USB stick, so they are very easy to take with you!
2. The different sources of digital music
Various sources are available for playing digital music. Depending on the type of digital listening you are after, you will need different products.
2.1. Listening to streamed music
Music streaming is more and more widespread today. Several streaming platforms on the market now offer high-resolution files for better-quality listening, for example the online music platforms Qobuz and Deezer.
These streaming platforms are available as mobile apps, so you can stream music from your smartphone or computer. If you want to enjoy it on your Hi-Fi setup, you can add a Bluetooth receiver (e.g. the InAkustik Receiver Bluetooth audio receiver).
You can also stream your music through a network player. Given the growing interest in audiophile-quality digital music, Hi-Fi brands have made their products compatible with the various online music services. For example, the Bluesound Node network player gives you access to Qobuz, Tidal, Deezer, Spotify and many more. Some products go even further, building these streaming platforms directly into their interface! This is the case with the Atoll ST200 Signature network player, one of our latest favourites!
2.2. Listening to CDs ripped to MP3
If you have a large CD collection, you can rip your CDs and store them in digital formats such as MP3 or WAV. This lets you digitise your favourite CDs and bring your whole library together in one place.
The first step is to rip your CDs with a device such as the Bluesound VAULT 2i network player/music server. It is also very complete, as it doubles as a network player with a built-in DAC. And as we saw earlier, these two functions are essential for playing digital audio files!
2.3. Listening to internet radio
Internet radio is also part of the digital music world. With a tuner, you can listen to your favourite radio stations with optimal sound quality.
In our selection you will find, for example, the Pro-Ject Tuner Box S2, which is easy to use and compact. Rotel is also renowned for its quality audiophile tuners, such as its T11 DAB/FM tuner and its T14 streaming tuner.
2.4. Listening to your digital library from a smartphone or tablet
Smartphones, tablets and computers now offer ever-larger storage, so it's easy to store plenty of audio files on them and build a fine digital library, on iTunes or Google Play for example.
To enjoy it on your Hi-Fi system in audiophile quality, you will again need either a streamer with a DAC or a Bluetooth receiver.
And if you want to enjoy your digital library on the move, you can opt for a portable DAC (e.g. the Audioquest DragonFly Black USB DAC or the Cyrus Soundkey). As we saw earlier, it lets you enjoy high-quality digital listening wherever you are!
Finally, if you would like to learn more about digital music, take a look at our buying guides and practical guides on the subject:
>> Digital music
>> Playing your digital music – Part 1
>> Playing your digital music – Part 2
>> Building your digital library
*****
We hope these tips will help you choose the right equipment to enjoy your digital music in audiophile conditions. For more information, don't hesitate to contact our technicians by phone (0 810 810 121, or +33 2 99 65 41 63 from outside France) or via our contact form.
