For music lovers and audiophiles who want to hear their digital music library in the best sound quality possible, a dedicated network audio player, or music streamer, is a must-have source in your hi-fi system.
Despite our love of physical formats such as CD and vinyl, there's no denying that streaming music wirelessly is convenient, versatile and space-saving. Whether you have meticulously curated hard drives full of hi-res digital downloads and CD rips, or enjoy streaming in high quality from Tidal or Qobuz, streaming music and internet radio from one box using a wi-fi or wired connection is a flexible and high-performance experience.
There is a variety of dedicated music streamers on the market across a broad price range. Compact, budget models from the likes of WiiM, Cambridge Audio and Bluesound are gaining in popularity, while more high-end models from Audiolab, Naim and Linn are available for audiophiles who crave every drop of authenticity and insight from their library.
Whichever music streamer you choose, make sure it supports the music streaming services and methods you use most (e.g. do you use Tidal Connect or Qobuz? Are Bluetooth, Chromecast and AirPlay all essential?) and if it supports the maximum high-res music file and format that your digital library is stored in (we recommend 24-bit/192kHz at a minimum, but does it need to support DSD and MQA too?). Along with great sound quality, the best music streamers need to rock-solid stable connection and be easy to use with the dedicated app – crucial when juggling multiple streaming options.
Every music streamer on this list has been tested by What Hi-Fi?'s team of in-house expert reviewers in our dedicated listening rooms, so our recommendations in this guide are a result of real-world testing. You can read more about our music streamers testing process, or scroll down to see the best streamer we rate at every budget.
The quick list
The appealingly dinky MXN10 offers awesome, engaging sound and impressive specs at a fairly affordable price.
The incredibly budget box brings music streaming to the masses, without being massive in size or price.
A sleek, feature-rich streamer with gains in clarity, precision and openness over its budget sibling.
The EXN100 delivers an impressively refined and spacious performance, with the key addition of HDMI alongside its extensive connectivity.
A sophisticated streamer that delivers astonishing insight, precision and musicality while maintaining tonal neutrality.
A compelling proposition for those who like to keep things physical from time to time, the Technics SL-G700M2 is a well-conceived and capable unit that looks forward but also caters for the past.
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Anyone looking to unleash the potential of their headphones should give this serious consideration.
The Klimax DSM AV represents the pinnacle when it comes to streaming sound quality – with a price tag to match.
Recent updates
15th October 2024: We have crowned new What Hi-Fi? 2024 Award winners – the premium Cambridge Audio EXN100 and stunning Audiolab 9000N streamers join the main list. We have also flagged the other 2024 winners, and moved the long-running Naim ND5 XS 2 (which is still fantastic) into our Also Consider section.
I'm the Hi-Fi and Audio Editor of What Hi-Fi? and have been reviewing hi-fi and audio products for the best part of a decade. When testing and recommending the best network music streamers, I value excellent sound performance and look out for a seamless experience considering the numerous streaming methods and music services these multi-tasking products have to juggle. During testing, I put particular focus on how user-friendly the streamer and accompanying app are, and make sure there are no dropouts in the wi-fi or hiccups when streaming. My top picks in this list range from the affordable to the high-end, and all have passed these crucial tests to deliver the best performance expected at their price point.
Best music streamer overall
Until we reviewed the WiiM Pro Plus (below), the Cambridge Audio MXN10 was the most affordable music streamer to pass our test rooms. It still remains great value, however, and delivers so much performance out of its dinky stature, for what we think is still an affordable, entry-level price tag to the world of music streaming. The strikingly minimalist streamer doesn’t come with a remote, nor are many physical connections on the back – an RCA line level analogue output, one coaxial and one optical are all you get – yet this tiny titan still offers everything you need by delivering truly five-star levels of performance.
Controlled via Cambridge Audio’s tidy StreamMagic app, the MXN10 hosts a plethora of streaming methods and services, including Google Chromecast, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal, Deezer, Qobuz and internet radio, as well as support for Bluetooth 5.0 and playback of files stored elsewhere on your local network. It's a breeze to use.
Effectively encompassing its older brother CXN (V2)'s performance on a smaller scale (in size and price), the MXN10 impressed us by delivering much of that musical cohesion and rhythmic and dynamic prowess we like so much in the CXN. Compared with its former rival Bluesound Node (2021), the MXN10 adds a new layer of dynamic expression and rhythmic agility that sounds more authentic to the original song. Scale and authority are impressive from such a dinky device, while the tone and texture of instruments come to the fore with a great amount of detail. It's balanced and energetic, and turns its hand to every music genre we play through it.
Bluesound is fighting back, however, with a brand new Node streamer (£499 / $549 / €599) released last month. It is fitted with a new DAC and updated internal circuitry and components to deliver an improved performance. We shall see how these two rivals fare once we have reviewed the new Node.
For now, if you have a tight budget and a small space, but want a step-up in hi-fi performance from the WiiM, this MXN10 is still the winner. It has the sonic chops and is a seriously impressive piece of kit for this still relatively affordable price tag.
Read the full Cambridge Audio MXN10 review
Best budget music streamer
The WiiM Pro Plus is less than half the price of the budget music streamers we'd previously reviewed (see Cambridge Audio MXN10, above), and this tiny, extremely affordable unit impressed us so much that we knew it was worthy of a 2023 What Hi-Fi? Award win when we first reviewed it.
It's as feature-packed as any of its pricier alternatives, with AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect and both wi-fi and ethernet connections available. The WiiM control app is its crowning glory – set up is swift and fuss-free, everything is logically laid out, and its user-friendliness will win many over. Through the app, you get access to all other streaming apps and music stored on the same network. It also has line-level RCA, coaxial and optical connections, and can handle digital audio files at a resolution of up to 32-bit/768kHz and DSD512. That's more versatile than we'd expect at this budget end.
It's ideal for adding streaming powers cheaply and easily to an older hi-fi system, but can also be used as a way of creating a multi-room system with existing kit.
On the audio quality front, the Pro Plus delivers a sound that's clear, detailed and even quite dynamically adept. Feed it high-quality source files, and you'll be rewarded with a big soundstage with instruments all relayed in an assured and confident manner. Voices in particular get the benefit of this quality, as the midrange is full of character, attitude and emotion. It's not quite as muscular or as richly textured as its pricier alternatives, but there's plenty of attack that keeps a song's natural rhythm flowing. We certainly found ourselves enjoying every minute of it.
There is a new WiiM Ultra launched at High End Munich 2024 that adds a touchscreen display, more connectivity options and a new DAC chip, but it's pricier at $329 / AU$599 and we have yet to review this step-up model. It also has fresh competition in the form of the new Bluesound Node Nano, yours for £299 / $299 / €349. Despite increasing competition, the budget Pro Plus is a well-executed streamer that's easy to use, sounds accomplished and is packed with features. At its affordable price, we couldn't ask for more.
Read the full WiiM Pro Plus review
Best mid-price music streamer
Following a much-loved, illustrious product such as the Cambridge Audio CXN (V2) – a multiple Award-winner and Hall of Fame entrant – is no mean feat, but the new CXN100 accomplishes it in style. It cleverly (or conservatively, depending on your point of view) sticks with the same design and many of the same features, but the new model's innards have been completely redesigned and updated.
It now boasts the latest StreamMagic Gen 4 module (the same used in the MXN10, above) and a new ESS 32-bit DAC chip that means the CXN100 is smarter and better specified than previously. Newer, more efficient components have also been used throughout the CXN's circuitry. The list of streaming features is extensive – you can stream from your local NAS storage, from popular music streaming services, and with every streaming and playing method available (including wired connectivity).
But it's the CXN100's sound quality that is the real talking point here: it takes huge steps forward in clarity, precision and openness. It's a bold, spacious sound and is more articulate and refined than the outgoing CXN (V2) in many areas. In our review, we said, "There’s a sparkling clarity to the sound, revealing ample detail from every song we stream through the CXN100. This is complemented by leading edges of notes that stop and start with startling precision... this whole presentation leads to a faster, snappier and more propulsive performance."
A leaner presentation means the CXN100 majors in attack and agility, with crystal-clear edges to notes bringing everything into crisp detail. We miss a touch of that richness and warmth in the old CXN (V2) that made it relaxing to listen to; the more affordable and smaller MXN10 has that natural warmth to voices, but it can't quite compete with the step-up CXN100's newfound levels of accuracy and space.
Feed it hi-res recordings and partner with equally accomplished amplifier and speakers, and the new CXN100 will perform admirably.
Best premium music streamer
Cambridge Audio has pretty much perfected its music streaming experience, with the new premium EXN100 model offering everything we already liked about the MXN100 and CXN100 streamers (above) while pushing the performance boundaries even further.
It is powered by the very same StreamMagic Gen 4 streaming module as its siblings, so it is seamless and unfussy in operation. We like the more premium feel of the knurled control/volume dial that is smooth in use, and the upgraded look and aluminium-fronted chassis, along with a large colour display in the middle, feel classy, too. The same extensive streaming features – from UPnP network streaming to Tidal Connect to integrated Bluetooth – all return, but a key highlight is that the EXN100 adds the much-requested HDMI eARC input to its many physical digital and analogue connections.
The EXN100 shares the same ESS Sabre DAC as the CXN100 (and supports the same file formats as its cheaper siblings too), but Cambridge Audio's engineers have done plenty of work to ensure they get the very best performance out of this DAC. Along with a carefully tuned signal path, changes made to the post-DAC analogue stage and the use of premium components, the EXN100 is a notable step above the midrange CXN100 in every way concerning sound quality.
The same sonic character is present, but it's even cleaner, more detailed, more open and large-scaled sound, with impressibly stable stereo imaging and a precise, controlled sense of rhythm. It sounds agile and well-balanced, with deep, taut bass and clear highs – it's a wonderfully refined performance. It's a more solid and muscular performer than its leaner CXN100 sibling – therefore making it more engaging and nabbing the 2024 What Hi-Fi? Award win over it – and it's more detailed, dynamic and powerful than the older Azur 851N it effectively replaces. The EXN100 delivers a " spry, composed and room-filling sound – elements that could be difficult to juggle, but the Cambridge Audio streamer handles it all in an almost understated manner," we said in our review.
You'll need to level up to the more high-end Naim ND5 XS 2 or Audiolab 9000N if you want a greater dose of subtlety, transparency and verve, but the EXN100 is a stellar, feature-rich performer at this level.
Read the full Cambridge Audio EXN100 review
Best audiophile music streamer
Audiolab's flagship network audio streamer does things a little differently. Firstly, it has high-end brand Lumin providing the streaming platform and app (to great success), rather than PlayFi which is used in its other streamers. The 9000N doesn't have Bluetooth or Chromecast amongst its list of streaming talents; nor does it have coax or optical digital inputs. While we would have liked the convenience of those missing features, Audiolab claims that Bluetooth's performance limitations has no place in an audiophile product at this premium level. On the plus side, the 9000N is compatible with extensive hi-res file resolutions, supports AirPlay, Tidal Connect, Roon Ready and more alongside UPnP network streaming, and the Lumin-based streaming is very stable, even if the app is a little cluttered.
Audiolab has focused all its attention on delivering the best-sounding streamer possible at this level. A lot of care has been taken over the DAC circuitry, filtering, clocking accuracy and providing low-noise and stable power feeds to all the circuitry. What results is a beautifully insightful, precise and tonally neutral performance that is also hugely engaging to listen to.
The 9000N delivers an expansive soundstage and handles complex musical arrangements with utter composure; dynamic shifts are handled with confidence as well as with subtlety and punch. It resolves detail with astounding maturity and delivers nuances in vocals and textured depths of instruments with ease. The Naim ND5 XS 2, which has been our firm recommendation at this price level for many years, prioritises rhythmic drive, punch and a more upbeat presentation, but the 9000N offers greater clarity, finer detail and more precision. Its tonal neutrality is really impressive, but it does so without ever sacrificing pure enjoyment. We still find ourselves engrossed in the subtlety, drama and emotion of music played through the Audiolab, and it's that quality that keeps us listening for hours.
During our review, we played through a variety of genres and recording styles, and declared the 9000N "something of a musical chameleon. It is impressively transparent and shifts character depending on the recording being played. We haven’t come across a streamer at this level that is as capable in this respect." If your budget can stretch this far and your partnering system is just as capable, this Award-winning Audiolab streamer comes highly recommended.
Read our full Audiolab 9000N review
Best music streamer with a CD player
Combining physical media playback with wireless music streaming? This CD/SACD player with network audio streaming smarts is a product for the 21st century. The Technics SL-G700M2 is an excellent and versatile digital source that builds on its five-star predecessor, boasting a wealth of digital connectivity alongside a multitude of streaming options.
The SL-G700M2 remains a beautifully made box, with precision controls and a silky smooth disc drawer – the quality of fit and finish is among the best we have seen at this level. Some niggles from the previous first-generation remains, namely the app software for the streaming control isn't the best we've seen, but it still gets the job done.
The M2 version adds a new USB Type B input and a new DAC, swapping the older AKM AK4497 to an ESS ES9026PRO chip. This change is due to supply issues with the original chip, but incorporating the new DAC resulted in a digital board redesign and an excuse to improve performance even further, as well as update the power supply arrangement.
And we're glad they did. This Technics streamer sounds superb. Its presentation is clear, detailed and insightful, managing to organise the musical information in a cohesive and entertaining way. Its main talent lies in delivering music in a balanced manner, regardless of genre or source. Bold and authoritative when the occasion calls for it; delicate where needed. This same character is present across all digital inputs and when used as a standalone DAC; it can be used with a wide range of partnering kit, too.
Musically engaging and versatile, this Technics SL-G700 is a capable streamer and CD player that covers all bases while being entertaining. Yes, it's possible to get better sound from a separates set up, but this well-conceived combination is hard to beat at this price.
Read the full Technics SL-G700M2 review
Best music streamer for headphones
The Uniti Atom Headphone Edition is a headphones-based version of the Uniti Atom – the entry-level machine in Naim’s What Hi-Fi? Award-winning Uniti just-add-speakers streaming system range – and like its forebear, this Edition features built-in streaming smarts and connections aplenty.
While the new Atom has been designed with headphones users in mind, it can, of course, also be used as a streaming preamplifier, either connected to a power amp or a pair of active speakers.
At its core is Naim’s streaming platform, a gateway to streaming services (such as Qobuz, Tidal and Spotify), internet radio and DLNA playback, while support for AirPlay 2, built-in Chromecast and Roon builds on that streaming savviness. Analogue and digital connections, including USB, coaxial, optical, RCA and phono, are also onboard for connecting additional sources.
Sonically the Headphone Edition has all the traits we'd expect from the Atom, characterised by impressive insight, dynamism and musicality, but its presentation is even more sophisticated and open, with greater separation of instruments and superb levels of detail.
It's a bit more niche than most of the streamers on this list, but for anyone looking to unleash the potential of a premium pair of headphones with a multifaceted streaming system, either to use purely as a desktop centrepiece or to also slip into an existing hi-fi system, then this could be ideal.
Read the full Naim Uniti Atom Headphone Edition review
Best high-end music streamer
The Linn Klimax DSM AV has a price tag (around £35,000 / $39,000 / AU$60,000) that puts it out of reach for most people, and with that ultra-high-end cost comes a huge amount of expectation. But Linn's latest range-topper not only has an immaculate design but also offers so much sonic insight, clarity and dynamic expression, not to mention a breathtaking level of organisation and transparency. It certainly lives up to its high-end price tag, as well as ambitious design.
There are three variants of the Klimax DSM, the AV version here has four HDMI 2.0 sockets and a single e-ARC-equipped output to that already extensive features list. Specify the optional surround sound module for an extra £1200 ($1,560 / AU$2395) and it can decode all the current movie sound formats bar Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. However, if you do want to go down the surround sound route you’ll have to invest heavily into Linn's ecosystem, using either a complete 7.1 active set-up employing the DSM’s stereo analogue outputs and Exakt connections for a hybrid passive/active set up.
It can access music across your home network from a NAS storage unit or stream using Tidal, Qobuz or Spotify Connect. There’s also Bluetooth (version 4.2) and AirPlay connectivity and it can work as a Roon endpoint.
Rather than being a mere streamer, the DSM is more of a streaming preamplifier. As well as the raft of HDMI inputs, it has USB Type B, optical and a pair of coaxials (in BNC form) and analogue equivalents in Balanced XLR and single-ended RCA (x2) form.
The big technology highlight is the introduction of the Organik digital-to-analogue circuitry, Linn’s first in-house DAC design that has been developed from first principles using the company’s three decades' worth of digital experience.
The result? This is an exceptional product that raises the benchmark for the high-end streamers category. If you have the funds and system to accommodate this Linn streamer, we applaud your luck and fortune, and highly recommend you take the plunge.
Read the full Linn Klimax DSM AV review
Also consider
Naim ND5 XS 2: It may have finally been ousted from its Award-winning perch by the newer, more neutral Audiolab 9000N, but this Naim remains a hugely musical and likeable streamer for the same premium price. It may look a tad old-fashioned with no display, but it is terrifically capable and tremendously fun to listen to.
Eversolo DMP-A6: We can't praise this newcomer enough for its slick interface and overall design. Whether you're using the organised, intuitive smartphone control app or the on-screen touch display (which is large, colourful and crisp), the DMP-A6 is responsive and a joy to use. It has a wealth of streaming abilities, a variety of connections and even has on-board storage. While it could do with more natural warmth and greater subtlety, it sounds clear, solid and punchy – a great alternative to the class leaders.
Bluesound Node (2021): A former Award-winner, this compact box offers ample streaming options and exciting sound for the money. An alternative to Cambridge Audio MXN10, the Bluesound uses the BluOS app and platform (and can be linked to other BluOS-compatible products for multiroom), has an HDMI eARC input and a headphone jack. Sound-wise, it's full of energy and delivers low-level dynamics with appreciable subtlety.
Naim NSS 333: It's not quite as mega-expensive as the Linn, but this new Naim streamer from its latest high-end 300 series is one of the most musically satisfying listens we've heard for this category. It sounds intrinsically right, and its organised, articulate and dynamic way with all kinds of music is to be applauded.
How to choose the best music streamer for you
Music streamers are a standalone component of a dedicated hi-fi set-up. But while other hi-fi separates such as a turntable or CD player just have a simple job to do, a music streamer (or network audio streamer) has to manage many different wireless sources as well as be able to play music files from local storage on your network.
Most of the selections on this list support the vast majority of hi-res music formats, though the upper limit can vary between 24-bit/96kHz PCM files for more basic products and up to 32-bit/768kHz for those that aim to push the boundary. We wouldn’t get too hung up on the numbers, though, as the vast majority of music isn’t available in those more extreme file types. CD quality is 16-bit/44.1kHz, and a capability of 24-bit/192kHz should be more than enough to meet the needs of most audiophiles.
Connectivity-wise, streamers can boast AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, Spotify Connect, UPnP compatibility, and physical connections. Regardless of the model, you should also be able to play local music files from a connected NAS drive and play thousands of internet radio stations. You'll also be able to play from your favourite music streaming services – at least Spotify and quite probably higher-quality alternatives such as Tidal or Qobuz are built-in.
Bluetooth is almost always included, and if it’s the more capable and better-quality aptX HD form, then all the better. Most audio streamers will also have digital inputs, so alongside playing music files from a USB stick or flash drive, you’ll usually be able to feed in optical and coaxial digital feeds too, making the streamer something of a digital hub for your system.
To get the best user experience, you’ll really need a smartphone or tablet to control your streamer. Using your streamer's app is the best way to navigate large music libraries, swap between sources and the quickest way of making playlists. If that doesn't appeal, you may want to look for models with a large display and traditional remote control.
Since we’re talking about practicalities, it’s worth mentioning that the first thing any music streamer needs is a stable home internet network, and you need to decide whether to connect the steamer directly with an Ethernet cable or go wireless. Going wire-free is appealing, as it makes things easier and tidier, and provided your network is stable, should work fine for many people. If you can, though, stick with wired because it gives a more stable connection and deliver the best sound quality, making everything go more smoothly over long-term use.
Price-wise, as with all things hi-fi, streamers can vary hugely, and how much you can expect to pay depends on the rest of your set-up. We would suggest that spending broadly the same as your amplifier would be a decent place to start, though it always pays to be flexible to get the right one.
Whatever your budget, music streamers are a great way to upgrade your sonic experience from a simple wireless speaker, especially if you want to give your digital music collection its proper due. If you love the convenience but want better sound and have the room and budget to accommodate a stereo system, a hi-fi streamer is the way to go.
Almost regardless of which music streamer you buy, you will gain access to an astonishing range of music – but pick with care, and it will make listening to that music all the more enjoyable.
How we test music streamers
Every music streamer that we review and rate at What Hi-Fi? is tested in our dedicated, acoustically treated testing facilities in Reading and London, where our in-house team of experts put every new product through our rigorous testing process.
What Hi-Fi? is all about comparative testing, so every music streamer we review is listened to and tested against the current leader in its field and price point to gauge how it compares to the best-in-class competition. We keep our five-star and Award-winning streamers in our on-site stockroom so they're always at hand for comparisons with new products. For all music streamer reviews, we compare streaming smarts, specs and connectivity, and also use them over a number of days or even weeks to test how seamless they are to use in everyday listening.
We always ensure we spend plenty of time with a new music streamer, making sure they are fully run in before we begin testing and trying them with different partnering equipment, using various file formats, streaming services and music genres as part of our testing process. We also test every connection, both wired and wi-fi streaming – from AirPlay and Bluetooth to playing downloaded hi-res tracks from our NAS storage, and trying out the USB, digital and analogue connections. We also test how easy the streamer is to use with the accompanying app, remote and on-screen display (if it has one), and keep an eye (and ear) out for any connection dropouts.
All our review verdicts are agreed upon by the team as a whole rather than a single reviewer, to avoid individual subjectivity and bias. There is never any input from the brand, the PR or our commercial teams on any of our reviews or the final verdict. We are proud to have delivered unbiased, independent reviews for nearly five decades, and that won't change any time soon.
You can read more about how we test and review products on What Hi-Fi? here.
FAQ
Are music streamers worth it?
It depends on how you listen to music, and how versatile you want your system to be, but on the whole, yes it is worth it if the majority of your listening is digital/wireless-based.
On the whole, music streamers offer a wealth of features – both wireless streaming and wired connectivity – that many other kit simply doesn't. If you listen to music or radio across a variety of online platforms, subscribe to more than one streaming service, or have a digital library full of music files – a music streamer makes it easy to access all these different sources from one place. The best music streamers will deliver all your music in the best sound quality possible too, as well as support native playback of high-res file formats.
Is a music streamer better than Bluetooth?
Yes. A dedicated music streamer uses a wi-fi network for streaming music, which offers a wide bandwidth and is able to transmit higher-resolution audio files without any loss of data. Conversely, Bluetooth is a very compressed and lossy method of streaming music, with a very limited range. It also only allows one-way streaming or control between your mobile device and audio system. Using wi-fi to stream music allows you to make calls, control playback and use apps as usual on your mobile device without it affecting playback. Even on the same music streamer, using wi-fi to play music will always sound better than using Bluetooth.
What is the difference between a music server and a music streamer?
A music server is a combination of file storage and streaming abilities, useful for organising, assigning/editing metadata and browsing your digital music library. Products like Melco's N100 or N10/2-S38 are prime examples of powerful, high-quality music servers, while Roon's Nucleus is another option. It can come with its own app, its own network connection and even sometimes has CD-ripping powers, as the Bluesound Vault 2i or the Naim Uniti Core. It's expensive but a high-quality way of building your digital system.
Music streamers don't tend to have built-in storage, and you'll need an external server, NAS or hard drive for music file storage, which a streamer can access through wired or wireless means. Music streamers do have more versatile streaming features and usually include a built-in DAC (which music servers don't always have). A server is most useful if you have a large, dedicated collection of downloaded hi-res or DSD files, while a streamer is best if you listen to online streaming platforms more frequently.
For more information, read our guide to building your own digital music library
Recent updates
- October 2024: Added new Cambridge Audio EXN100 and Audiolab 9000N entries following five-star reviews; labelled new What Hi-Fi? 2024 Award winners; added Naim ND5 XS 2 to the Also Consider section.
- September 2024: Included mentions of new Bluesound Node models that will rival the Cambridge Audio and WiiM entries.
- July 2024: Added newly reviewed Audiolab 9000N entry in the Also Consider section.
- May 2024: Added a new FAQ section.
- March 2024: Added Also Consider section to offer more buying options.
- October 2023: Added WiiM Pro Plus following five-star review and Award win. Highlighted products that won 2023 What Hi-Fi? Best Buy awards.