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If you've been looking into hi-fi recently, you've probably come across the term 'network streamer' and wondered whether it's something you actually need or just another piece of equipment someone is trying to sell you.
Let's answer that honestly.
What a network streamer actually does
A network streamer connects to your home broadband and pulls music from streaming services — Qobuz, Tidal, Spotify, Apple Music — or from your own local music library, and outputs it to your amplifier as an audio signal. That's the straightforward version.
The reason it matters is that most of us stream music from our phones or laptops, and while that's convenient, it's not ideal for hi-fi. Your phone is doing a dozen things at once — managing notifications, running apps, handling Bluetooth connections — and the digital-to-analogue conversion inside it is designed for a phone, not for a serious audio system.
A dedicated streamer is designed to do one thing: output the cleanest possible audio signal. Better internal clock. Better power supply. Better digital-to-analogue conversion. Less electrical noise. The result is a more precise, more detailed sound — particularly noticeable on streaming services that offer lossless audio quality, like Qobuz and Tidal HiFi.
Do you actually need one?
If you're streaming music through Bluetooth or an AUX cable from your phone — yes, a streamer will make a difference you can hear. The gap between phone audio and a dedicated streamer is real and audible on a good system.
If you're primarily listening to vinyl or CD, a streamer is less urgent — though many people add one over time when they want the option to stream.
If you're already using a smart speaker or a basic all-in-one system, upgrading to a separates system with a dedicated streamer is one of the most significant quality jumps you can make.
What to look for in a streamer
First, make sure it supports the services you actually use. Qobuz and Tidal both offer true lossless audio and are the most popular choices for hi-fi listening. Spotify is still lossy — if sound quality matters to you, Qobuz is the service worth paying for.
Second, look at the analogue output quality — this is what connects to your amplifier and where the sound quality lives. Higher-end streamers have significantly better digital-to-analogue conversion than budget options.
Third, consider how it's controlled. Most modern streamers use a phone app, which works well once you're set up — but app quality varies enormously between brands.
Our recommendations by budget
Under £200 — the WiiM Pro Plus
The WiiM Pro Plus has become genuinely impressive at its price point. It supports Qobuz, Tidal, Apple Music, Spotify and AirPlay 2, has a built-in headphone amp, and the app is one of the most intuitive we've come across. For anyone starting out with streaming on a tight budget, this is where we'd point you.
Around £400–£600 — the Arcam ST5
The Arcam ST5 is the streamer we recommend most consistently to customers making their first serious upgrade from a basic setup. It sounds significantly better than budget options, supports hi-res audio up to 24-bit/192kHz, and integrates beautifully with Arcam amplifiers. It's also genuinely easy to use, which matters more than people give credit for.
Around £800–£1,200 — the Arcam ST25
The Arcam ST25 brings a level of musical refinement that experienced listeners will immediately notice. Improved power supply, more sophisticated digital processing, and a more substantial build quality — this is the streamer that sits at the heart of a genuinely serious system. If you're pairing it with an amplifier in the £1,500 to £3,000 range, the ST25 is the source component that won't hold the system back.
Does it need to be a separate box?
Not always. Streaming amplifiers — which combine an amplifier and streamer in one unit — are an increasingly popular option. The Arcam A25+ and Yamaha R-N1000A both offer excellent integrated streaming amplifiers that simplify the system without compromising the sound quality.
If you're not sure whether a streamer would make a difference to your specific setup, bring us your amplifier model and we can advise — or come in and listen to the difference with your own streaming service playing. We use Qobuz in our listening rooms.
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