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

Jack said:
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.
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My community goes through Spectrum. My devices are virtually separated from my neighbors (I'm assuming they use VLANs to separate neighbors). So, I can only see the devices registered on my own apartment. That being said, I can only connect 20 devices, so I have to pick and choose what I want to connect. Being a computer AND audio guy, I've come close to maxing out that number a couple of times.

And the wireless connection is WPA2. Not that it's the most secure thing in the world, but I'm assuming that anyone committed enough to crack it is probably going to be inside the building or sitting in a car outside my patio trying to hack their way in. I've seen no one in a trenchcoat and tiny sunglasses hanging about, so I think I'm reasonably safe (obligatory Matrix reference). ;)
 
Jack said:
Can you attach a wireless extender to the network?
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There is no need to extend the wireless connection as coverage is very good already. Maybe you meant a wireless ethernet bridge -- i.e., converting a wireless connection to a wired one? I'm assuming that if wireless connections are bad, then it doesn't matter where in the chain that wireless connection exists. Though I'm ready to be wrong on that one.
 
Just because your internet is wireless doesn't mean that your music has to be. Obviously, any streaming service will be but -- duh. internet is all wireless at some point, whether in you house or 1,000 miles away. Even if your internet is attached to your house by a cable. Wireless is not bad -- ONLY SLOW wireless is.

Back to the point.

If you have your music on whatever device you choose in your house then you can run a cable to your dac, music server etc. if you choose to. No wireless. It's that simple.
 
tino27 said:
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!
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Your Oppo 205 is a Roon Enpoint. It also has a great DAC. Several folks recommended Roon and quite frankly with Roon and your Oppo 205 you can do what you are looking for. And yes Roon will do Tidal, Qobuz, and internet radio which means that you don't have to compromise. In fact, you don't even need the Bryston!
 
Besides the Auralic Aries G1 or Lumin U1 Mini + Wi-Fi Ethernet bridge, which I also think are great choices (and my personal preference is the Lumin combo), you could also consider the Cambridge Audio Azur 851N or Bluesound NODE 2i.

But the most important part in my opinion would be to find out which one provides you with the best user interface. You will want to take a look at screen shots or videos, or try out the app before buying the hardware if you can. The worst outcome is if you get some great hardware but don't like to use it.
 
As has been stated. It is all personal preference.

One thing I can say is that I have never ever heard of a single person who purchased Roon being disappointed. I could be wrong but I think it is by far the most popular playback software on the market. Once someone tries it they never go back. It is the heart of a digital playback system in my view.

If you decide to spend goo goo bucks on the latest greatest music server because people say it is better then a dedicated built computer, so be it.... but Roon always wins out when people actually try it... Roon with a very good computer built with music playback in mind, in my view can compete against most things out there unless you go many many times the price.
 
You just can't leave it alone can you? We all know what your personal opinion is by now. Windows computers with Roon and no streaming services. The majority of us just don't feel the same. Every discussion about streaming or streamers ends up with you, nicoff and a couple of others making the same arguments no matter what the OP asks for.
 
The OP asked for opinions. We gave him opinions that addressed exactly what he was asking for. Furthermore he stated that he is a computer guy and we know he would not be intimidated by using a computer.

My questions is why when someone asks a straight forward question, with very specific needs and desires, does a handful of people start going into tangents and trying to get him to change his entire setup, even wiring in his apartment, to get him to buy what would probably be more expensive gear? Also, the more expensive gear does not meet his exact original needs as were clearly described.

There are times when a well built computer and Roon will not fit the bill. This is not one of them. Instead, going by his original post, a computer and Roon fits his needs, exactly.

tino27 said:
1) Wireless network connection --- wifi built in, check
2) No DAC necessary / bypassable --- works with existing DAC, check
3) No analog outputs needed --- no need for analog output, but there if ever needed, check
4) Digital USB output (to the corresponding USB-B input on my Bryston) --- multiple USB outputs, check
5) Either internal storage or external USB connection for hard drive / USB stick (or both) --- any amount of internal or external drives you desire, check
6) Plays back all file formats / resolutions (PCM and DSD) --- playback any format that is desired, DSD512, no worries, check
7) Android app for controlling the player --- control apps included for iPads, iPhones, Mac computers, Android Tablets, Android Phones, PCs, PC tablets, check
8) *Bonus* Tidal / Qobuz streaming --- can stream Tidal and Qobuz, check
9) *Bonus* Internet radio --- can be used with Internet radio, check

Reasonable price range ... i.e., something under $3k if possible. --- can be put together for under $3k, check
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It does do EXACTLY what he is asking for. I frankly do not see the issue or understand why anyone would get upset over this one. Why are people constantly trying to push others to products and setups that do not fit their needs?

The only issue I have ever heard people have with Roon is the price. It is the most expensive playback software on the market. You get what you pay for. It also fits the stated budget. If you want to try it, try it. There is a very reasonably lengthy trial. They have yearly contracts, or like many people do after trying it, you can purchase a lifetime subscription. It is the one software package that is constantly being updated and improved. The list of features that have been added since I purchased my lifetime sub is longer then I can list here, including recently adding QoBuz as an available service.
 
Jack said:
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.
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Avoid HOAs like the plague.
 
mep said:
Avoid HOAs like the plague.
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I certainly would prefer to :) if given a choice. Unfortunately, sometimes where you want to live involves an HOA. I think the one at my brothers house in Florida would not be one I would like though. All communications with the outside world, i.e., Phone, Internet, TV, etc., are through the community wide wireless, and no others are allowed in the complex.... ouch...
 
Jack said:
You just can't leave it alone can you? We all know what your personal opinion is by now. Windows computers with Roon and no streaming services. The majority of us just don't feel the same. Every discussion about streaming or streamers ends up with you, nicoff and a couple of others making the same arguments no matter what the OP asks for.
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+1
 
I’m not quite sure what the anti-Roon stuff is about but I am in a similar predicament to the OP. Right now I sometimes use my Sooloos which is wired in. I did, however, install Roon on my wireless only PC whilst accessing a HDD connected to the computer. So the files are moving over my crappy wireless connection. I will need Android apps as well so Lumin sounds good as does Innuos. I would love to get a Aurender W20E but since it is not Roon compatible it might not be a good choice. Of course one can use the native app or Roon on Lumin and Innuos but the choice is there. My major problem is my HDD is sending files wirelessly to the sooloos via the Ron App. I would feel better having a NAS hardwired to the server.
 
Howiebrou said:
....

My major problem is my HDD is sending files wirelessly to the sooloos via the Ron App. I would feel better having a NAS hardwired to the server.
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In my experience, wireless connection worked perfectly unless on certain occasions when signal was weak and I was trying to listen to large WAV files (High def WAV). On those occasions there would be random signal drops.
One free thing you can always try (if you have not done already) is converting all your files to FLAC. That's because FLAC files are smaller and allow faster wireless transfer.
Without a doubt, a NAS with Ethernet wired connection is best because you are not at the mercy of a weak wireless signal not to mention the advantages of a NAS over a HDD.
 
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