I have a DAC (Schitt Bifrost) that I like. If I buy a basic Bluetooth receiver, like the Emotiva BTR-1, with digital output and run it through the DAC, is there any reason to consider an all-in-one streamer, like the Bluesound Node, for example? Do they have benefits over a simple BT receiver and DAC? I mostly listen to Spotify when streaming.
first people reference but didn’t explain a point.
if you get a ”Spotify connect” device, they have enough brains that the stream goes straight to the device instead of your phone. This means your phone basically acts as a remote, but you can walk away with the phone or take a call and the stream doesn’t interrupt.
Other streaming services can work the same way bit I don’t know their trademark name.
if the streamer is relying on “dlna” to move the signal around, this benefit doesn’t apply.
as for my personally recommendation, look at the phorus pr5. Spotify connect, Good DAC, cheap, reliable, etc. you can always step up from there.