There’s No Need to Choose Between Spinning and Streaming
At a very basic level, a sound system comprises three parts: speakers, sources, and amplification. Our last blog focused on speakers and why we love 2-channel for music enjoyment at home. We also recommended our favorite high-end audio brands! In this blog, we’re getting into the music itself.
Whether you love the tactile experience of vinyl or the convenience of internet streaming, you can enjoy both music formats and many more through your high-performance speakers. All you need are the right components. Below, explore four popular music sources you can connect to your system for versatile music listening at home in Bountiful and the greater Utah area.
Vinyl
It’s hard to beat the pristine sound quality and warm nostalgia of vinyl. Others love the tangible sensation of holding an LP cover in hand and building a fine collection of physical records. Listening to vinyl is like reading a book from beginning to end. It’s a story written by the artist just for you.
Of course, to enjoy vinyl, you’ll need a turntable, and you’ll need to connect that turntable to your speakers. There are a few ways you can do this, depending on the components you have. If your turntable doesn’t already have a phono preamp built-in, you’ll need an external one to connect your turntable to your amplifier, which then connects to your speakers. But don’t worry about sweating the details—our team can recommend necessary components and set everything up for you.
CDs
Ah, the age-old question: Do people even buy CDs anymore? The answer is yes, but not at a climbing rate like that of vinyl in the last several years. Still, that doesn’t mean music enthusiasts don’t cherish their long-time CD collection. Similar to vinyl, CDs offer a tangible music experience that tells a story from start to finish. Plus, their engaging sleeves are chock-full of lyrics, bios, photos, and more.
With the proper cabling, connecting your existing CD player to your amplifier is relatively simple. In fact, if you’re a die-hard CD fan, consider upgrading to a newer player that offers higher-quality digital-to-analog (DAC) circuitry, or invest in a quality external DAC, so you can really wring out the best performance from those silver discs.
Stored Audio Files
Have a vast collection of digital music? To enjoy these files through your high-end audio system, we recommend a wireless music streamer, which connects to your amplifier and accesses your stored files from a NAS drive. Music browsing and control are simple through a mobile app.
Roon also offers an engaging way to enjoy your digital music collection through your high-end audio system. Roon is the ultimate music player that stores all your files into a curated and interactive digital library that’s fun to explore on your desktop or smartphone. Wirelessly connect Roon to your audio devices on the network or connect via USB or HDMI and enjoy bit-perfect playback of all your music.
SEE MORE: Discover Roon: The Ultimate Music Player for Music Fanatics
Streaming Music
Streaming is by far the most convenient way to listen to music. Beyond music, you can access podcasts, audiobooks, and internet radio from popular streaming platforms like Spotify. Even audiophiles who only settle for high-resolution can stream studio-quality music from platforms like Tidal. The Roon digital music player (and most high-end wireless music streamers) also offer easy access to popular streaming platforms that you can navigate through a mobile app and wirelessly enjoy through your stereo system.
Now that you’ve explored 2-channel speakers and source components, our next blog will be all about amplifiers and their critical role in adding juice to your speakers. Stay tuned! In the meantime, you can always contact our team here or send us a message in the chat box below to learn more about our home audio services and solutions.