Just getting into Streaming, need help and advice


New member and still coming to grips with Music streaming.
Just recently I have had issues with Prime music pausing in the middle of tracks. I use a Fire tablet 8 which goes to a Klipsch Gate, and then to Audioengine 5+ powered speakers.
I thought maybe it was an issue with the speakers, but yesterday I tried just the fire tablet by itself and found some tracks still paused sometime, without even going to the speakers.
Now I'm just confused as to what the issue is. I was going to upgrade to a Bluesound Node 2i, but I might have the same issue with pausing audio tracks, so I'm a bit unsure what to do at this point.
Internet is thru Comcast and speed is 239.14 upload and 6 for upload with a ping of 12.
I'm thinking the Fire Tablet could be the issue,If it is , what would be best to use to solve the pausing issues?
Could also be the recent change on Amazon music to HD which would cause bigger files to transfer, but as I said I'm still trying to understand how all this works together

beasmooth1

Start off by just trying to get audio through your stereo from a YouTube or something else you source from your computer or hand held device. Then attempt a stream.

I'm just trying to figure out what to get first to do it. The Node 2i seems like a good idea, and a good value for the money.

 I contacted Bluesound and I have to say they got back to e fairly quickly, not with info, but to say it might take them longer than usual because of covid. Thats pretty good service these days, when some don't bother responding at all.

 there advice when I did get it was to connect to my receiver with a single coax(not sure how one line can carry both left and right signals).

Then connect my powered speakers to the Node Analog audio out RCA left and right.

Its probably about a 50 foot run from my receiver to my speakers upstairs.What should I use for connects that are that long and will it be OK?

 Next question is how do I control what I'm playing in my bedroom? Do I use BlueOS app in my android tablet, and does that go thru the Node device to control what I listen to?.

Still trying to get my head around how this all works.

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I had BluOS on a NAD integrated a few years ago and didn't like it at all. I stream Spotify Connect via Wifi now through a CDP/streamer and it sounds great and its easy to use. In my experience, Wifi streaming is better if you can do it. 

Download BluOs app on tablet, Get Node on your WiFi network then Connect Node to Speaker analog left and right replacing the Klipsch Gate. That would be the easiest way if you only want to use the Node with your powered speakers. If you have ethernet in your room use that instead of WiFi. The Node carries the audio signal all the app on the tablet does is control everything through the user interface. 

So If I say connect the Node to my Ethernet near my receiver then run a coax to the receiver, thats done.Just need a way to run it to my speakers in my bedroom.

According to this article

UPDATE: Amazon Music HD Is Still Lossy* by The computer Audiophile 2020

 

Bottom Line

 

The bottom line is twofold. First, it's great that Amazon Music HD can be streamed to a HiFi system losslessly in high resolution. Amazon's own applications are incapable of this, but fortunately the indispensable Bluesound Node 2i handles it with ease. If readers want Amazon Music HD, the Node 2i is a requirement in my book. Second, all of this testing indicates that streaming can be a mess for those of us who like high quality and care about the best sound possible. I think of all the conversations I've had with people who say one streaming service sounds better than another or their local copies of albums sound better than the identical versions when streamed. I completely understand. It's a mess out there.

 

OP

 

Are you sure the problem isn’t with Prime itself?  I don’t use the HD service but in years past when I purchased many CDs from Amazon they offered a simultaneous mp3 version so I amassed quite a collection.  When I try to play these from my phone they always do the same thing

I have used Bluesound products for a few years now and like the set-up. I have a Vault with all my old CDs on it but mostly stream from Tidal and Qobuz on the app through a Node (the new one) via USB now to an MQA-capable Topping DAC and then on to my preamp/amp. My Node is connected via ethernet to a nearby wifi hub (I use the new Eero pro series with 1GB service from Xfinity) to avoid any wifi issues. I also have a Bluesound Pulse that I can move around to point of need and it sounds great. I have found that I listen to way more music (and a much broader variety) with this set-up vs CD or vinyl due to it's convenience and the vast streaming library. Vinyl done well will def get you better sound. A good streaming set-up in my testing will absolutely match or beat CD set-ups of similar price point, although some would disagree. Jury still out for me on MQA but I am enjoying playing around with it on Tidal and comparing to HiRes on Qobuz. Rest of my system is SPL-800 amp, LTA MZ3 preamp, Harbeth SL5+ speakers.

The node is a great way to start and as noted, it supports Amazon HD. One of the Node’s strengths is that it supports a wide range of providers- and never sounds worse than very good. BluOS is definitely easy to navigate but I like Audirvana’s implementation of Qobuz UI better than BluOS’s.