HRT Music Streamer II High Resolution USB D/A Converter

by HRT

Product Features

• Completely isolated path between the computer and audio system
• Plug and play set-up and operation
• Full support for iTunes and Windows Media Player
• Full Scale output 2.25 Volts RMS
• Frequency Response (20 Hz/20kHz)0dB/-.4dB

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Product Description

The Streamer II is a high-performance music interface that allows a computer and a home entertainment system to become perfect partners. The Music Streamer II is a high performance audio interface that allows a computer and home entertainment system to become perfect partners. With is unique topology, the Music Streamer II provides a completely isolated path between the computer and audio system. No more audio contamination by the computer; your music will always sound its best. There are no external power supplies to worry about because the Music Streamer II derives its power from the USB buss while completely regenerating power for all its internal circuitry using a sophisticated set of proprietary circuits. Operation is simple, just plug the Music Streamer II into any USB port on your computer and the Music Streamer II will install itself and be ready in a matter of moments. Connect the other end of the Music Streamer II into any analog input and you are ready to stream high quality compter based music. The Music Streamer II provides full support for applications such as iTunesTM and Windows Media PlayerTM direct to your home entertainment system, with a level of quality never before possible. You can also use the Music Streamer II to listen to internet radio or other music subscription services such as RhapsodyTM, NapsterTM, PandoraTM, SpotifyTM and many more in high quality through your Home Entertainment System, Television or Stereo system.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

91 of 97 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Not Your Average USB DAC! June 29, 2010

By Nelson

Amazon Verified Purchase

The HRT Streamer II is not just another USB DAC. The following two attributes set the HRT Streamer II apart from the rest USB DACs except a few costing many times more.

1. The HRT Streamer II is based on the asynchronous USB mode.
2. The HRT Streamer II supports the 24-bit/96 KHz high resolution input natively using the OS USB driver.

The asynchronous USB mode frees the USB DAC from being the slave of the USB bus which helps to reduce the jitter. Most USB DACs are implemented in the adaptive mode which is a pretty hostile arrangement that is prone to jitter.

Until recently, the asynchronous USB DACs are rare and sold at much higher prices. Just google "async USB DAC" and see what I mean. The async USB DACs give a brand new life to the USB based DACs. Suddenly, the S/PDIF interface is no longer superior to the USB in getting the quality sound.

Note the original HRT Streamer only supports the adaptive USB mode. Only the second generation of the HRT Streamer products (II, II+ and II Pro) support the asynchronous USB mode. The II Pro can do both, async and adaptive. I am not sure why it needs to support both.

I compared the HRT Streamer II to the Music Fidelity's V-DAC, another fantastic product for its money. At $299, the MF's V-DAC has the sound of its big brothers costing many times more. I liked the sound of the V-DAC until I heard the HRT Streamer II. They are very close but the V-DAC is a bit lack in the excitement department. The HRT Streammer II has a fuller sound with clear highs and affirmtive lows.

I searched web sites for comparisons between the MF V-DAC and the HRT Streamer II but could not find any. So I ordered the HRT Streamer II and thought there was no way it could be any better than the V-DAC. Well I was pleasantly surprised.

The 24/96 capability is another wonder. Previously, many USB DACs are limited to 16-bit/44KHz until one spends a large sum of the money. No longer this is the case with the availability of the HRT Streamer II and alike.

By the way, another wonder product of the year that is based on the asynchronous USB mode and supports the hi-def is the M2Tech's hiFace. It is not a DAC but rather a USB to S/PDIF interface (or converter). The hiFace is capable of 24-bit / 192 KHz. It is the only interface I have right now that can do 24/192 in the bit-perfect and (alomost) jitter-free fashion.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Quite good, coming from NuForce DAC to this January 7, 2011

By Linda Shollenberger

Amazon Verified Purchase

I'm going to keep this review short as best I can.

First off, I want to say that the improvement of this DAC over a NuForce Icon DAC is slight but noticeable. The main difference is in the sound stage and placement of the instruments. This DAC seems to be able to really open up even compressed recordings in MP3 formats. This is quite good, it makes MP3s bearable to listen to again!

As for this DAC's improvement over an average sound card goes, it's quite good. The improvement over an average sound card is far greater than that over a decent DAC. The basses are more taut and defined rather than boomy, and the midrange has a lot more texture to it. Overall, very good.

Improvement over on-board sound is phenomenal by all standards. On-Board sound simply cannot reproduce quality sound like this DAC (Or most other DACs for that matter) can. Everything is sharper and more defined throughout a song from it's bass lines to hi-hat taps.

Now that I got through the improvement that this DAC makes, I want to comment more on the DAC itself, starting with it's design. I like the minimal design quite a bit. There are no controls on the DAC at all, just an "In" and an "Out" for audio hookups. It looks quite good sitting at the back of my desk, and it also serves as a good conversation starter while myself and my friends are stuck in a loading screen on our latest PC game. That isn't the point however... overall, the design is understated and fits in well with your desk. There aren't any annoying flashing lights or bulky wall and cable warts to hide.

I'll go over some pros and cons of the DAC and finish up with some last words.

Pros:
Greatly improves sound over on-board sound and many sound cards
Slightly improves sound over most entry-level DACs
Brings out taut and detailed bass, never overwhelming

Cons:
No analog volume control... preamp is a bit overpowered in my opinion. (less than a 1/8th turn in volume on my AudioEngine A2s is somewhat loud with this DAC)
The above means I have to turn it down digitally, which sometimes hampers sound quality very slightely. (This isn't really much of a concern in most cases.)

Other than that, all I can say is that you really should invest in a good pair of speakers to enjoy this DAC to it's fullest. I personally prefer AudioEngine for their great value and superb speakers at the price. M-Audio also seems to put out nice speakers, although I've never owned any so I can't vouch for them. Basically, just don't use common "Computer speakers" with this DAC... you won't be pleased.

On the other hand, use good speakers and you will be verrrrry pleased with this DAC.

Happy buying,
Myles

32 of 36 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Holy super sound Batman! February 21, 2010

By St

I have been eyeing the music streamer for a good year. Last week I decided I was tired of not being able to play a lot of my downloaded files without burning a disc. SO I decided to go ahead and part with a few bucks for the music streamer. To my fortunate surprise, the music streamer 2 just came out and the fellas that make them explained the differences to me and now I am the proud owner of one of the first music streamer 2.

Wow is all I can say. I usually listen to sacd as much as possible. The problem with sacd is limited offerings in anything other than classical and jazz. I like both of those genres but most of the time I listen to indie rock and alt country with some metallica thrown in with my Miles Davis and Alison Krauss. My morning jacket in flac thru the music streamer 2(ms2) is awesome. Radiohead "in rainbows" thru the ms2 AWESOME. Heck even pandora sounds good when you put it thru a decent system.

I highly recommend using media monkey as the music server for the ms2. I initially (first four songs) used wmp but got a little scared by the way the songs ended with a sharp pop like in the old days when you would take the needle off the record.I feared my pbn montanas were going to suffer a painful death at some point so I looked around to see what the serious guys were running for their music servers and media monkey kept coming up as a great server. Big time difference between wmp and media monkey, no popping, smoooth sound, very easy set up and it plays flac. media monkey easily found my lacie hard drive on my main computer.

I am sure there are flaws in my system but here is how I am using the ms2: hp laptop with media monkey and about 60 gig of files hooked to ms2 via usb cable then thru some old audioquest interconnects to my c 375bee. The hp has access to my esata lacie external hard drive via my home network(wireless) and about 300 gigs of music.

to conclude, this little box is packed full of audiophile goodness and is highly recommended. Flac on!