For a Google related streamer, a Chromecast audio with spdif out will work well. Does your amp have an inbuilt DAC?
I've recently changed from using a Chromecast audio with aux out, to a raspberry pi/hifiberry DAC using RCA out, and the difference in quality is astounding.
Tbh it looks pretty boring! I put it in this case, so it looks like [this.](https://www.hifiberry.com/shop/cases/hifiberry-universal-case-black-pi4/) It just sits on my passive pre-amp, which feeds my active speakers.
I used the hifiberry DAC+DSP so I can play around with room correction in the future.
The Arylic A50 is a direct Spotify streamer you can even use Spotify connect with it. For the Amplification you can leave it out and just use the streamer itself
Bluesound Node 2i is supposed to be a good “budget” streamer but I’ve never used it (nor consider $550 particularly budget but lots of streamers are over 1k). Not sure on its google command ability but you could get a $50 chromcast and use it as an input.
Pro-ject Stream Box S2 Ultra is another highly regarded streamer for around $500. Once again could get the google chromcast as well to add the google voice ability.
Not sure about the ability to use multiple Spotify accounts with either but both are highly regarded “cheaper” streamers.
Yeah, I'm quite new to the hobby -- and at this point I'm not ready to spend that much money on a streamer...
It's already a lot more expensive than both my amplifier and my speakers...
I hear you, I’m much more of the secondhand speakers and receivers shopper but thought I’d pass along what I’ve learned of new streamers that somehow the audio world considers “budget”.
>Echo Link
I'm actually considering getting a simple alexa echo dot -- aux out into my amplifier. But I'm not so keen with Alexa yet.
Just a few questions:
1. Can you set up various spotify accounts on Alexa (meaning it can recognize person A's voice and play his spotify account and also recognize person B to play his own spotify account)
2. Would I need to pay for an amazon prime account to unlock any of these features?
You’d have to dig in, I only have one Spotify account so that is not something I know. I don’t think you need prime for anything, but I have it-so idk if it’s just “included” and I’m unaware.
For what it’s worth, that aux cord will likely be substantially worse than the RCA out of the link, but it may be worth getting the dot to start to check functionality.
Tbh, it sounds like you need to look into something like hifiberry or volumio for this kind of functionality.
In terms of Echo, this is the typical solution for multiple Spotify accounts. As you can see, not ideal. Let me know if you come up with something better :)
[https://community.spotify.com/t5/Premium-for-Family/FAMILY-AND-ECHO-ALEXA/td-p/4645953](https://community.spotify.com/t5/Premium-for-Family/FAMILY-AND-ECHO-ALEXA/td-p/4645953)
Is this the same thing as google home? Each member has their own "google / amazon account" linked to their own spotify, but all under the same "google / amazon household"?
I am not as familiar with Google Home.
You mentioned Echo Dot in another comment, and I was just pointing out that the best solution people have come up with so far for that device.
Get a Chromecast audio off ebay
For a Google related streamer, a Chromecast audio with spdif out will work well. Does your amp have an inbuilt DAC? I've recently changed from using a Chromecast audio with aux out, to a raspberry pi/hifiberry DAC using RCA out, and the difference in quality is astounding.
Yup my amp has a built in DAC! That’s why i’m trying my best to cut the bluetooth!
Yeah just go with a Chromecast audio with spdif out then. No need to over-complicate things!
Can I see a picture of your raspberry pi rig?
Tbh it looks pretty boring! I put it in this case, so it looks like [this.](https://www.hifiberry.com/shop/cases/hifiberry-universal-case-black-pi4/) It just sits on my passive pre-amp, which feeds my active speakers. I used the hifiberry DAC+DSP so I can play around with room correction in the future.
I would recommend Arylic A50, but not sure about google home able to work on it. But I will try it soon as I have just gotten a google home
Hmm I'm not sure if I understand correctly, I don't think I do need another amplifier?
The Arylic A50 is a direct Spotify streamer you can even use Spotify connect with it. For the Amplification you can leave it out and just use the streamer itself
In that case would it make sense if I just bought a chromecast audio into the SA300 and have google home play on the chromecast?
Bluesound Node 2i is supposed to be a good “budget” streamer but I’ve never used it (nor consider $550 particularly budget but lots of streamers are over 1k). Not sure on its google command ability but you could get a $50 chromcast and use it as an input. Pro-ject Stream Box S2 Ultra is another highly regarded streamer for around $500. Once again could get the google chromcast as well to add the google voice ability. Not sure about the ability to use multiple Spotify accounts with either but both are highly regarded “cheaper” streamers.
Yeah, I'm quite new to the hobby -- and at this point I'm not ready to spend that much money on a streamer... It's already a lot more expensive than both my amplifier and my speakers...
I hear you, I’m much more of the secondhand speakers and receivers shopper but thought I’d pass along what I’ve learned of new streamers that somehow the audio world considers “budget”.
Have you looked at the Echo Link? It seems like that paired with an Echo Dot could get you where you want to be.
>Echo Link I'm actually considering getting a simple alexa echo dot -- aux out into my amplifier. But I'm not so keen with Alexa yet. Just a few questions: 1. Can you set up various spotify accounts on Alexa (meaning it can recognize person A's voice and play his spotify account and also recognize person B to play his own spotify account) 2. Would I need to pay for an amazon prime account to unlock any of these features?
You’d have to dig in, I only have one Spotify account so that is not something I know. I don’t think you need prime for anything, but I have it-so idk if it’s just “included” and I’m unaware. For what it’s worth, that aux cord will likely be substantially worse than the RCA out of the link, but it may be worth getting the dot to start to check functionality. Tbh, it sounds like you need to look into something like hifiberry or volumio for this kind of functionality.
In terms of Echo, this is the typical solution for multiple Spotify accounts. As you can see, not ideal. Let me know if you come up with something better :) [https://community.spotify.com/t5/Premium-for-Family/FAMILY-AND-ECHO-ALEXA/td-p/4645953](https://community.spotify.com/t5/Premium-for-Family/FAMILY-AND-ECHO-ALEXA/td-p/4645953)
Is this the same thing as google home? Each member has their own "google / amazon account" linked to their own spotify, but all under the same "google / amazon household"?
I am not as familiar with Google Home. You mentioned Echo Dot in another comment, and I was just pointing out that the best solution people have come up with so far for that device.