Not just bargain of the year but one of the greatest audiophile bargains of all time, the HRT Music Streamer II is going to change the computer audio map forever. A 96kHz, 24 bit DAC with asynchronous USB input, the Streamer II goes spec for spec against excellent multi-thousand dollar DACs from Ayre, dCS and Wavelength… and does so at just $150! Its bigger brothers offer improved performance at slightly higher price points and the upcoming Streamer HD brings 192kHz sampling rates. Even on the briefest of auditions, it’s clear this really is a game-changer.

The Music Streamer II, available through Audiofreaks, is its most affordable model, yet it’s good enough to make the average laptop sound like proper hi-fi. Simply plug your computer into the USB connection on one end, connect your hi-fi using the analogue outputs on the other, and the small but solid HRT handles the digital -to-analogue conversion. And it does so in serious style. Playing The Far Road from The Road soundtrack, the sound is precise and fluid. The leading edges of notes are terrifically well-defined, but they degrade with organic subtlety and realism. Detail and dynamics are exceptional, revealing every nuance in the haunting recording. It’s simply a perfectly balanced, bold and beautiful delivery, and for a DAC costing just £140, that’s an incredible feat.

The Music Streamer II was capable of great subtlety in playing music. It impressed most with its freedom from digital grit. This DAC is a real smoothie, yet one that doesn’t overcompensate for brightness by smothering the sound in cotton wool. Music is heard relaxed and flowing, with precious little grain to intrude.

Don’t underestimate the viral aspect of these Streamers. From personal experience, we found it difficult not to spread the word. Look at it this way; many of us know people who use laptops to serve their music these days. If you have one of these, you will put it in your pocket and take it over to them. They will, in turn, get one and do the same to their friends. And so on until you end up breaking Facebook. So you too can become the Avon Lady of hi-fi.

HRT has succeeded in building a product that will please audiophiles with a focus stretching far beyond the audiophile industry. Serious music lovers and philes should investigate the HRT Streamer+, as it was clearly designed to get through to the music, rather than get around it for gimmick or effect.

Holy cow! This thing sounds so good I might even stop hating music-via-computer!

Thanks a million for turning me onto this. I literally listen to Internet radio at least 40 hours a week, and the Music Streamer has made it far more enjoyable already.

Sonically superior, the Music Streamer simply elevates computer audio out of the noise floor.