Bluesound vs SOtM

I’ve owned an Ayre Codex for several years now and it’s far from harsh and flat in my system. You definitely have some issues with your source or cables. I’ve used the Codex connected to an Aurender N100H via USB and the sound is excellent. I’ve also connected a Raspberry Pi via USB streaming Tidal and sounds great as well. Completely balanced, rich in detail and the sound stage and imaging is very good. Clean USB is a must and good USB cables will make a world of a difference.
  
I know a few guys using a Bluesound Node 2 to the Codex with great success. I also heard this combination at my audio dealer and the the combination was solid. It sounded great. The SOtM SMS200 is considered by many to be one of the best streamers (different class from the Bluesound) especially with the added power supply. You can’t go wrong with either, but if I had to pick, I would go with the SOtM SMS200, especially if you don’t care about using the built-in DAC for MQA support. Many people I trust consider it one of the best streamers available, better than the MicroRenu. Good Luck!

Thanks very much for your response nycjlee! If the SOtM is a different class, I know what to get, even thought it costs a bit more (when a good power supply is factored in).

In the long run, I think you will be happier with the added power supply.  All the reviews seem to indicate a bump in the SQ with the added linear  power supply.  

Don’t see any mention of support for WiFi in the SOtM SMS200 documentation and for many, including me, the absence of WiFi is a non starter. Something to keep in mind when comparing streamers.

I understand. The SOtM can do wifi with the addition of a dongle, however.

A barrier for me is that the SOtM is a bit inconvenient to use without Roon, and Roon would increase the overall cost.

Why do you need Roon?  You don’t necessarily need it to stream Tidal.  You could always get Roon later. One option is buy the Bluesound from Crutchfield and give it an audition.  Their return policy is excellent.  If you don’t like the bluesound return it and try the SOtM. 

Thanks so much again for advice

Lumin is a free app I use with the SMS-200. Tidal streaming works well with it. I'll try Roon after a computer & iPad upgrade, but Lumin does the job. Another free app that can be used is called kazoo I believe.

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I use an SOtM as a DLNA bridge with JRiver on a laptop.  It works beautifully.  The important thing is to not have your music run through the computer.

SOtM USA is having a black Friday sale.  They also have an easy return policy.

Are you certain that a dongle will work?  I'm not so sure.  I use ethernet.

You could save some $$ by using a third party LPS and not suffer any loss of SQ.  I use an sBooster but you can probably do better if you search around.

I don't think you could do better than to purchase the Node 2i to use as your streamer and run it to your Codex DAC.  The Bluesound controller app is a pleasure to use.  I love mine.