A dedicated streamer connects your Hi-Fi system to online music services and network sources, letting you access a vast catalogue of music through services like Spotify, Tidal and Qobuz, played back through your existing amplifier and speakers rather than a basic Bluetooth speaker or smartphone. This delivers a genuinely significant improvement in sound quality over casual streaming methods, particularly with services offering high-resolution or lossless audio.

Many streamers support multiple connection methods, including Wi-Fi, wired ethernet for the most stable connection, and Bluetooth for casual playback from a phone or tablet. Look out for support for specific services and protocols like Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Apple AirPlay and Roon, depending on which platforms you use most.

If you already own an amplifier and want to add modern streaming convenience without replacing your existing system, a dedicated streamer is one of the simplest and most effective upgrades you can make.