What to Look For in an AudioStreamer
A music streamer (or a music server) is a device that allows you to listen to your digital music collection without having to physically transfer the files. They can be wirelessly connected to your network or plugged into a computer or NAS drive. They are often equipped with a DAC for high-resolution playback.
The best streamers for your home will support a variety of audio formats and can take up to 24-bit/384kHz sample rates, so you can be confident that they're capable of delivering the best possible sound quality. They'll also offer a wealth of inputs for streaming directly from devices like your smartphone or laptop as well as DACs for a range of outboard digital sources.
You'll want to look out for features such as DLNA and UPnP. These allow you to share your music across the entire home's wireless network so you can access it on any device.
Dedicated streaming servers can also act as a hub for your whole digital music collection, letting you stream from multiple sources and control them all through a single app. Some will even support a range of services such as AirPlay 2 and Google Cast, making them a great choice if you're looking for something more advanced than your average music player.
The best music streamers will support a wide range of streaming services, including Internet Radio and Tidal as well as your own local media library. Some will also support a variety of high-resolution audio formats such as FLAC and ALAC. You should also pay close attention to the bit depth and sample rate of any music streamer you're considering, as this is important for getting the most out of your high-resolution music library.