Music streaming is all the rage these days, and chances are, you already do it. But are you getting the most out of your streaming music? That's the question we are here to answer today. We're also going to answer a few other questions about music streaming because everyone does it a little differently - and that's a good thing. We all like different kinds of music, we have different ergonomic scenarios, different budgets, different hearing, etc. But I think we can all agree that there's always room for improvement, and if you want the very best for your music and your ears then right now might be the best time to see if you're doing just that.

So let’s take a deeper look into not only figuring out what music streaming is but also the plethora of ways to get your music sounding the best it can be by streaming it from anywhere and any way you want.

So, what is streaming? Streaming refers to any media content – live or recorded – delivered to computers, mobile devices, and more via the internet and played back in real-time. Podcasts, webcasts, movies, TV shows, and music videos are common forms of streaming content. It’s the technology of transmitting audio and/or video files in a continuous flow over a wired or wireless internet connection. This can be on a cellular device like a phone or via a computer or tablet on a home network. It can be wireless or wired. There can be just a singular device involved or multiple devices. It can be streaming via a service you pay for or it can be data you personally downloaded and own.

How does streaming work? There are 2 ways to look at this: paid services or media that you personally own. The media files are transmitted in sequential packets of data so they can be streamed instantaneously. And unlike traditional downloads that are stored on your device, media files are automatically deleted once you play them. That is if it is a streaming service like Spotify for example. But if you own the files or you are doing what is called Offline Content downloading, then in this case it is not deleted after use. All you need to stream is a reliable and fast high-speed internet connection, access or subscription to a streaming service or app, and a compatible device.

Streaming could simply refer to the application you’re using to listen to music. As we spoke about before, if you do not physically have the data or files on your source device, like your phone or computer, then you will receive those files via a wireless connection, thus resulting in being able to listen to music that is not stored on your device. The application, therefore, serves as the medium for streaming music. Spotify, Pandora, Internet Radio, Qobuz, Tidal, Deezer, SoundCloud, SiriusXM, Amazon, and Apple Music - there are tons of options out there, and we’ll get into more details later when we talk about where you can stream music.

But for the sake of this guide, to keep it simple, music streaming refers to a variety of ways to get your music from point A to point B, whatever they may be. Bottom line is that you don't have that music locally on the receiving end - whether it be a set of speakers, wireless headphones, your phone, or whatever. If you’re playing music on something where you don’t have the music stored locally, then you are effectively transmitting it, or streaming it, from elsewhere.

Streaming refers to any media content – live or recorded – delivered to computers, mobile devices, and more via the internet and played back in real-time. It’s the technology of transmitting audio and/or video files in a continuous flow over a wired or wireless internet connection.

So if we’re talking about playing music from a source that is not directly connected to our receiver, then your music can be streamed from a number of different places (and services for that matter). The first answer is music streaming platform. For a monthly subscription, you can access thousands of songs and albums on your phone, tablet, computer, and more. It's easy, it's convenient, and it's affordable. Your typical services include Spotify, Pandora, Amazon, and Apple Music, also a host of others that offer true high-resolution files like Tidal and Qobuz which we’re big fans of here at Moon Audio. There are a ton of options to choose from, and setup is as simple as downloading the app on your phone and pressing play.

The good news is that there are lots of choices when it comes to music streaming services. We’ll go over some of the more popular streaming services here:

<Select a Tab for More Info>

The good news is that there's no shortage of ways to stream your favorite music. The easiest way is using what's already in your pocket most of the day: your phone. Streaming music through an application on your phone is the first place to start for everyone because you already have access to various streaming services that have free options. So, if you've never streamed music, this is the place to start. Download an app and listen away. It's a great way to familiarize yourself with layout, function, and what's available to you in regards to a library of songs and albums. The only downside is that once you are hooked on music streaming, your phone hardly does the music justice. We suggest better gear because your ears deserve better too.

Let's say you're already a streaming aficionado. You might even already have a streaming subscription and frequent it regularly on your daily commute, at work, or during a workout. Your AirPods or wireless headphones from Best Buy just aren't cutting it for you anymore, and you're looking to up your listening game with a couple of baby steps? Great. We'll split our options up to portable and desktop music streamers. Go ahead and click one of the buttons below to find out more information:

Let’s be honest, most people today with streaming service subscriptions tend to listen to them from their phone using airpods, beats, or some other consumer-level listening device. It gets the job done, but it’s not necessarily doing your music justice.

The logical next step in your music streaming journey should be to take a look at DAPs if you're interested in keeping your streaming portable. DAP stands for Portable Audio Player and are essentially like iPods on steroids. They're made with premium components, high-end DACs, amplifier circuits, and can handle hi-res local and streaming files and formats with ease. More power, better sound, and having a device solely designated to making your music sound the best it can result in huge gains in fidelity over your smartphone. DAPs can range a lot in price as well, and they can range from around $500 for an older or less powerful model to $3,000 and up. Some of the best brands that we recommend are Astell&Kern, iBasso, and Sony. It’s not just about what they can play, but also how they are designed that makes a DAP outperform a phone or consumer device when it comes to music playback. DAPs by design are typically quite similar to phones, which makes sense because they’re touch screen devices and pretty much every consumer handheld device on the market is designed this way. Rectangular, touch screen, ports, buttons and knobs - it’s in no way a foreign device in itself. It’s designed to be intuitive.

Here’s what you’ll find on most DAPs: a touch screen interface, a built-in headphone amplifier with a selection of ports for your headphones, local and expandable storage options - like a micro SD card, and the real star of the music show - the high-end DAC, or digital-to-analog converter chip or chips. DACs do the heavy lifting of converting your data to an analog signal. Your phone and computer have DACs in them too - basically every consumer device out there that plays music or sound and has speakers has a DAC chip. The only thing is that these factory chips aren’t great and essentially just get the job done. DAPs have high end DAC chips that efficiently and accurately convert your music data to sound the very best it can - oftentimes with the help of the amplifier circuit and other high-end, audiophile-grade components inside the player.

The great thing about digital audio players is that they can handle high-resolution audio streams with efficiency. Playing hi-res files on your iPhone with some Airpods is quite frankly ridiculous because the technology of those Apple products will not yield quality results for high-resolution audio. They do however work in much the same way as a smartphone, so likewise, you'll need to download your streaming apps (or in some cases, they come preinstalled) and press play. An audiophile-quality DAP paired with a nicer pair of headphones will provide a better listening experience all around. DAPs can also act as an access point for an external library. For example, Astell&Kern DAPs have what they call BT Sink - "BT" stands for Bluetooth - and can essentially connect to a device like your phone where you have a music library stored locally, connect via Bluetooth, and stream it through the much better internals of the music player. Why do this? Well, if you don't have the storage space on your DAP or want to supplement your existing library with an external one, then BT Sink is a great option to give you access to even more music. In the end, DAPs are a great first step in upgrading your music from your phone. It's time to get your music back to a standalone playback device like an iPod, just something a little (okay, a LOT) better than your phone.

Getting a DAP, or even just using a portable USB DAC, is taking the next step to better sound, and you can be sure by using one, you’re getting the most out of your streaming experience as well. Take advantage of those higher resolutions and bitrates. If you’re already paying for the high-res service, make sure you’re getting the real high-res listening experience when you’re on-the-go. Next we’ll take a look at desktop streaming options which will give you some more options when it comes to listening to your hi-res music at home.

Getting a DAP, or even just using a portable USB DAC, is taking the next step to better sound, and you can be sure by using one, you’re getting the most out of your streaming experience as well. Take advantage of those higher resolutions and bitrates. If you’re already paying for the high-res service, make sure you’re getting the real high-res listening experience when you’re on-the-go.

Generally, stock audio cables are manufactured with subpar materials, metals with impurities, poor geometries, and an overabundance of layers to make them look and feel like a fire hose. Inconsistency and lack of quality control in stock cables can lead to poor sound quality and a veiled sound vs what the musician intended for you to hear and feel from the music. Dragon cables are handcrafted with the highest standards and made to order according to your specific needs. At Moon Audio, we create a custom cable for you using the highest quality UP-OCC silver or copper conductors that can be manufactured. UP-OCC metals are void of impurities and are optimized for signal transfer and sound quality. We have one of the largest collections of audio and headphone connection options available online and we create limitless audio cable options depending on your specific gear and needs.

Silver Dragon Sound Signature: The Silver Dragon is the original cable. Silver strands clarify instrument separation, increase the soundstage, and find previously lost high and mid-frequency sounds. Transients appear more cohesive and the bass is tighter for a more controlled sound. The detail and clarity of the Silver Dragon make it a perfect match for classical music and other genres with many nuanced instruments.

Black Dragon Sound Signature: The Black Dragon is warm and smooth with a musical presentation. Copper strands enhance the body, shape, and immediacy of the music. The detail and expansiveness of the Black Dragon make it a flexible fit where a broad range of musical genres are played. It can also improve bass frequencies on bass-light headphones. The smooth, musical quality makes it a perfect fit for headphones that tend to sound a bit edgy or bright. Despite its warmth, the Black Dragon does not have a laid-back, lush sound. It is much closer to neutral, making it a very natural-sounding cable. For more information on finding your signature sound, visit our Sound Signature Guide.