Best streaming device for sound

[Arry74]

I have a Panasonic 4k UHD TV but the interface and app support is poor.

 

Thinking of getting either an Apple 4K TV or a Roku Ultra 2019 model.

 

For streaming music and movies, what would you recommend and why.

 

I have watched a number of reviews but cannot choose one of the other at the moment.

 

Cheers

 

 

[Guest]

What are your sources for music and movies? And is playback only on TV? Plus budget?

[Arry74]

1 hour ago, Snoopy8 said:

What are your sources for music and movies? And is playback only on TV? Plus budget?

Would be netflix, Spotify, tidal etc. I can use Spotify and tidal off an app on my phone for tidal and Spotify but would rather a streaming box. Budget not an issue.

[Guest]

2 minutes ago, Arry74 said:

Would be netflix, Spotify, tidal etc. I can use Spotify and tidal off an app on my phone for tidal and Spotify but would rather a streaming box. Budget not an issue.

There is a bigger issue.  Your TV's speakers are not very good, should consider at a minimum a good soundbar, or a pair of wireless speakers for stereo sound.

 

What is the reason for not wanting to use the phone for Spotify and Tidal?  These apps are easy to use.  If you are worried about battery or someone accessing a phone, get a tablet. And likely a streaming box may include a phone / tablet app.  As for Netflix, have a look at this good summary

https://www.whistleout.com.au/PayTV/Guides/best-streaming-devices-for-netflix

[betty boop]

Appletv 4k without hesitation

[Arry74]

1 hour ago, Snoopy8 said:

There is a bigger issue.  Your TV's speakers are not very good, should consider at a minimum a good soundbar, or a pair of wireless speakers for stereo sound.

 

What is the reason for not wanting to use the phone for Spotify and Tidal?  These apps are easy to use.  If you are worried about battery or someone accessing a phone, get a tablet. And likely a streaming box may include a phone / tablet app.  As for Netflix, have a look at this good summary

https://www.whistleout.com.au/PayTV/Guides/best-streaming-devices-for-netflix

I have an Anthem 720 and a 7.1 system.

 

Issue is the Panasonic TV has very few apps which is a shame as is such a good tv.

[Arry74]

35 minutes ago, betty boop said:

Appletv 4k without hesitation

Just bought an AppleTV 4K.

 

Cheers

[doomigee2]

Nvidia  Shield. Really has no equal and plays everything including h265 codecs 

[Arry74]

19 minutes ago, doomigee2 said:

Nvidia  Shield. Really has no equal and plays everything including h265 codecs 

Would have loved to get one but not available here yet if ever.

[MrC]

On 29/12/2019 at 1:33 PM, betty boop said:

Appletv 4k without hesitation

Can only agree with that!

[Hi-Fi Whipped]

On 29/12/2019 at 4:09 PM, Arry74 said:

Just bought an AppleTV 4K.

 

Cheers

Perfect for movies, but for music consider a dedicated music streamer, the improvement in sound is significant compared to the Apple TV via HDMI.

[PauliD]

I like how AppleTV 4K can airplay the audio out. Great for Youtube music videos to my CXN. No need for additional cables an ALAC quality.

[Satanica]

17 hours ago, Arry74 said:

Would have loved to get one but not available here yet if ever.

What about here?

 

https://www.mwave.com.au/product/nvidia-shield-tv-16gb-4k-streaming-media-player-with-game-controller-and-remote-ac15468?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3eSCy-fe5gIVTh0rCh3zIgbkEAYYAiABEgKFS_D_BwE

 

Or here?

 

https://www.harveynorman.com.au/nvidia-shield-tv-with-controller-and-remote.html

 

Edited December 31, 2019 by Satanica

[Arry74]

5 hours ago, Satanica said:

What about here?

 

https://www.mwave.com.au/product/nvidia-shield-tv-16gb-4k-streaming-media-player-with-game-controller-and-remote-ac15468?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3eSCy-fe5gIVTh0rCh3zIgbkEAYYAiABEgKFS_D_BwE

 

Or here?

 

https://www.harveynorman.com.au/nvidia-shield-tv-with-controller-and-remote.html

 

Pretty sure they are not the new 2019 models?

[Satanica]

14 hours ago, Arry74 said:

Pretty sure they are not the new 2019 models?

They don't appear to be.

 

 But there are some (2019 models) on eBay. 

[Arry74]

7 hours ago, Satanica said:

They don't appear to be.

 

 But there are some (2019 models) on eBay. 

How disgusting is the price on here. They must be kidding themselves if anyone would pay this?

https://www.ebay.com.au/i/114009629844?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=705-139619-5960-0&mkcid=2&itemid=114009629844&targetid=487315109438&device=m&mktype=pla&googleloc=9070612&poi=1000676&campaignid=7410647011&mkgroupid=84562322327&rlsatarget=pla-487315109438&abcId=1139436&merchantid=116505549&gclid=Cj0KCQiAgKzwBRCjARIsABBbFuin8SI-6hHkKXa-Gk1HBAST6sl6TBrhos31WPwlQ00uIfItd6kdibUaAim8EALw_wcB

[TDX]

I use atv4k for movie and blue sound node2i for music.

[Satanica]

5 hours ago, Arry74 said:

How disgusting is the price on here. They must be kidding themselves if anyone would pay this?7

https://www.ebay.com.au/i/114009629844?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=705-139619-5960-0&mkcid=2&itemid=114009629844&targetid=487315109438&device=m&mktype=pla&googleloc=9070612&poi=1000676&campaignid=7410647011&mkgroupid=84562322327&rlsatarget=pla-487315109438&abcId=1139436&merchantid=116505549&gclid=Cj0KCQiAgKzwBRCjARIsABBbFuin8SI-6hHkKXa-Gk1HBAST6sl6TBrhos31WPwlQ00uIfItd6kdibUaAim8EALw_wcB

I don't know, I've never bought a Nvidia Shield and probably never will.

Edited January 1, 2020 by Satanica

[christopher]

On 31/12/2019 at 9:54 AM, PauliD said:

I like how AppleTV 4K can airplay the audio out. Great for Youtube music videos to my CXN. No need for additional cables an ALAC quality.

Can you explain this please? I have wondered how to improve my YouTube music quality. But it seems to me airplay to cxn which is like Bluetooth isn’t it, (which dac is used?)wouldn’t be as good as hdmi out to my avr so using its dac. 

[Stankoj]

On 30/12/2019 at 5:09 PM, Arry74 said:

Would have loved to get one but not available here yet if ever.

I got my shield as a freebie when I bought my Sony 4K projector. I’m sure you can find one if you look hard enough. 

[PauliD]

18 hours ago, christopher said:

Can you explain this please? I have wondered how to improve my YouTube music quality. But it seems to me airplay to cxn which is like Bluetooth isn’t it, (which dac is used?)wouldn’t be as good as hdmi out to my avr so using its dac. 

Airplay can stream CD quality. The limiting factor is YouTube. The CXN dac is used in this setup, so benefits from the StreamMagic up sampling. 

[christopher]

Do you end with lip sync issues?

[PauliD]

Just tested as I don’t do it often, but no lip sync issues

 

see for yourself! 

 

[christopher]

Thanks for the effort. I hadn’t thought of trying that. I have my cxn in a separate system to my home theatre but in same room. I’ll have to try it.

[genkifd]

for my use the Nvidia Shield is perfect for videos and for music im leaning towards Lumin U1 Mini (if i had the budget U1)