Network Streamer? Network Player? What am I looking for?

T

tino27

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May 23, 2017
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181
Location
Ohio, USA
On the digital side of the house, my kit consists of an Oppo UDP-205 and a Bryston BDA-3 DAC. I'm using the audio only HDMI output of the Oppo into the Bryston, so I can decode all manner of PCM, but only DSD-64 content (either SACDs or digital files I have stored on an external USB hard drive attached to the Oppo). This works okay for 95% of my digital content at the moment, but the Android app isn't the best and if/when I start collecting DSD content at higher resolutions, this won't work.

The problem is, I'm not sure what I need or what brands to start investigating. Here's a list of my needs:

1) Wireless network connection
2) No DAC necessary / bypassable
3) No analog outputs needed
4) Digital USB output (to the corresponding USB-B input on my Bryston)
5) Either internal storage or external USB connection for hard drive / USB stick (or both)
6) Plays back all file formats / resolutions (PCM and DSD)
7) Android app for controlling the player
8) *Bonus* Tidal / Qobuz streaming
9) *Bonus* Internet radio

Reasonable price range ... i.e., something under $3k if possible.

Any suggestions as to what kind of device I am looking for would be awesome!
 
The software the choice is fairly easy. Roon... it has Roon Server/Core and is controllable from any type of computer or tablet you want. I have an Android however my preferred controller is Surface tablet (bigger and much better screen). You can certainly use your Android tablet. Roon also can be used with services such as Tidal and Qobuz.

The music server itself can be a quality Windows computer. In essence these dedicated "music servers" are computers anyway. Really top notch computer builders such as Falcon Northwest can build you a great computer that will do the job nicely. Add the Roon license and you are in budget. Roon and a machine like that can handle any resolution you throw at it. I up-sample everything to DSD512.
 
Only took two posts this time for the Roon promotion to start. Roon is not the answer to every persons streaming situation. Nor is putting another computer in the audio chain. He said specifically internal storage or attached external hard drive.
 
Exactly... he said he wanted to use an Android controller, use Tidal and Qobuz, use USB to his DAC, internal or external storage. Roon and a computer does exactly this and can be done within his budget.... so how is this not a very good suggestion?

Also a good computer like the Falcons are wireless control and USB to his DAC, since the Bryston is a very solid DAC... so it fits everything asked for and in budget.

Roon is very easy, can control streaming services using an Android controller, and the Aurender, etc., will not sound any better than Roon and a purpose built computer, and will probably put him out of budget, and certainly will not be any easier to use.
 
Well, I would suggest selling the Bryston DAC, stop using Android, and get a Lumin X1. Then you will reach musical nirvana. :)
 
Auralic since you need wireless. Innuos for storage. I would suggest you look for something that is wired. Wireless sounds less than optimal. Getting the cable company to run a Ethernet cable is a lot easier than you may think.

Aurender or Lumin if you go wired.
 
To my knowledge Aurender only uses iPad. In fact, they don't have a phone app.

If you can find a good deal the NAD M50.2 will do all you ask. However, I don't feel this unit is worth the retail asking price. The Blusound Vault is far less money and similar, off the top I don't know if it checks all your boxes. There are usually M50.2 for sale used and can be had around $2500 or less.
Innuos may be another option. I didn't think they offered much internal storage but someone told me you can order them with more. Since I'm not looking anymore I never followed up. Unless it's come out they don't have their own app. I believe those that do work have an aAndroid version.
I saw AURALIC came out with a G1 that has internal storage, it was shown at CEDIA so I don't know much about it.

Lumin is definitely a player but I don't know that much about the feature list of their vast line up.
 
Randy Myers said:
The software the choice is fairly easy. Roon... it has Roon Server/Core and is controllable from any type of computer or tablet you want. I have an Android however my preferred controller is Surface tablet (bigger and much better screen). You can certainly use your Android tablet. Roon also can be used with services such as Tidal and Qobuz.

The music server itself can be a quality Windows computer. In essence these dedicated "music servers" are computers anyway. Really top notch computer builders such as Falcon Northwest can build you a great computer that will do the job nicely. Add the Roon license and you are in budget. Roon and a machine like that can handle any resolution you throw at it. I up-sample everything to DSD512.
Click to expand...

I don't see "Music Server" listed on their website as a product they offer. Is this something you can contact them and ask to be built? Is it a desktop machine? A laptop? I'm assuming it works headless (e.g., without a monitor attached)?
 
I think wireless he is referring to controlling, i.e. the Android controller. It will be wired to the DAC, i.e. USB.
 
They custom build for your needs. I just had a new one built for headless purposes. Other companies do the same, Falcon has just been doing it longer.

A Music Server is really nothing more than a purpose built computer.

And yes, you can call them. Beyond amazing service. Definitely a desktop machine... the Tiki is smaller case. I just had a new Talon built because I wanted larger case this time. Did not want the fancy light show so we customized it that way. They build how I determine is best by talking with their representative. I have dealt with Warren for over 15 years now.
 
I had to laugh, my friend who has been using a computer with Roon, HQ, forever, he has all the little tweaks like Micro Rendu etc. just dumped it for an AURALIC Aeries, simply because it sounded better. He still uses Roon for management but the Aeries replaced his computer. He has one of the top model Lampi DAC's.

I believe if more audiophiles did the comparison we'd see more computers getting replaced by AURALIC, Aurender etc.

Randy Myers said:
Exactly... he said he wanted to use an Android controller, use Tidal and Qobuz, use USB to his DAC, internal or external storage. Roon and a computer does exactly this and can be done within his budget.... so how is this not a very good suggestion?

Also a good computer like the Falcons are wireless control and USB to his DAC... so it fits everything asked for and in budget.

Roon is very easy, can control streaming services using an Android controller, and the Aurender, etc., will not sound any better than Roon and a purpose built computer, and will probably put him out of budget, and certainly will not be any easier to use.
Click to expand...
 
Randy Myers said:
I think wireless he is referring to controlling, i.e. the Android controller. It will be wired to the DAC, i.e. USB.
Click to expand...

Correct. The wireless I am referring to is for streaming digital content and for controlling the unit via Android tablet. Unfortunately, a wired connection is not in the cards at the moment. My apartment complex is completely wireless and if I wanted a wired connection, I would have to pay for it twice (the cost for the wireless service is built into what I pay as part of my rent every month; for a wired connection, I'd have to pay a second time as a separate service).

I've been looking at the Auralic Aries G1 and other than the fact it only works with iOS, it does seem to fit the bill quite nicely. I am still looking at the other suggestions being made on this thread.

Thanks, all.
 
Good luck with whichever way you determine works best for you. Most important, enjoy both the search and the music afterwards!
 
Mr Peabody said:
I had to laugh, my friend who has been using a computer with Roon, HQ, forever, he has all the little tweaks like Micro Rendu etc. just dumped it for an AURALIC Aeries, simply because it sounded better. He still uses Roon for management but the Aeries replaced his computer. He has one of the top model Lampi DAC's.

I believe if more audiophiles did the comparison we'd see more computers getting replaced by AURALIC, Aurender etc.
Click to expand...

All depends on the computer setup :D
 
The G1 is a great piece and is my third Auralic but as you said it does require and IOS device though if you watch places like Newegg you can find factory refurbs for cheaper or even on Ebay. I had to buy one when I got my first Aries. Another option that will let you use the other companies is to use a wireless extender and go wired from it's port to the device. I used one for years until Xfinity started selling their own Mesh pods to work with their routers. Get one from Amazon and if it does work send it back.
 
tino27 said:
Correct. The wireless I am referring to is for streaming digital content and for controlling the unit via Android tablet. Unfortunately, a wired connection is not in the cards at the moment. My apartment complex is completely wireless and if I wanted a wired connection, I would have to pay for it twice (the cost for the wireless service is built into what I pay as part of my rent every month; for a wired connection, I'd have to pay a second time as a separate service).

I've been looking at the Auralic Aries G1 and other than the fact it only works with iOS, it does seem to fit the bill quite nicely. I am still looking at the other suggestions being made on this thread.

Thanks, all.
Click to expand...

There are a lot more of these wireless communities around. My brother lives in one in Florida. They own their own house but the entire community is wireless (included in their HOA even).
 
BlueFox said:
Well, I would suggest selling the Bryston DAC, stop using Android, and get a Lumin X1. Then you will reach musical nirvana. :)
Click to expand...

Hmmm ... based on the Google search I just did and boolean logic being what it is ... $14,000 for a Lumin X1 is NOT less than $3,000. Clearly, musical nirvana is out of my price range. Perhaps musical utopia might be a better goal. ;)
 
The HOA's are contracting a whole neighborhood rate from Comcast, Frontier or Spectrum which should be cheaper and then the only thing wired is the router. Don't know about the security of that type of group setup though.
 
tino27 said:
Hmmm ... based on the Google search I just did and boolean logic being what it is ... $14,000 for a Lumin X1 is NOT less than $3,000. Clearly, musical nirvana is out of my price range. Perhaps musical utopia might be a better goal. ;)
Click to expand...

But you can sell the Bryston DAC, it’s power cord, and interconnect cable. That will save at least $9K that you can then use. :)
 
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