Streamer Operating System Storage: SSD vs EEPROM?


Do streamers like Aurender and Innous store their operating systems on a SSD, whereas Lumin and Auralic use an EEPROM chip instead?

classic8

@classic8 

In case of Aurender, the operating system is stored and loaded from an SSD, which is also used for the system cache. 

Thank you everyone for contributing. I guess the picture is a bit clearer in my mind. So basically the OS is stored in flash memory or an SSD (SSD is composed of flash memory chips). I was looking at the Innuos web page for the Pulse Mini, and found this:
-Industrial-Grade SSD module specifically for the Operating System with power-loss protection
-Low-Density Parity Check ECC engine and Global Wear-Levelling technologies

I am assuming other manufacturers like Aurender, Lumin, etc. do the same.

@lalitk So I thought I understood what Aurender meant by buffer vs cache until I did some googling and frankly I'm not sure it isn't just marketing claiming that their [temporary storage location] is implemented better.   Buffer and cache are both terms to describe temporary storage.  Cache is more often used to describe the storate of data that will be used multiple times--not applicable to streaming music.  

So I take what they are saying is "ours are better than the others" and we expect ever vendor to say that.

I'm not saying aurender doesn't make great equipment.  Glad you guys like yours and probbly would have owned one if they played with roon.  

But I don't think this claim by aurender answers the OP question of where the operating system is.

Jerry

@ghdprentice 

W20SE is just as amazing as N30SA. I was quite torn between the two, as I had them both in my home for a head to head comparison. You can’t beat either of these top flight players when it comes to SQ. 

@lalitk

Thank you. That is really useful. I was aware that my two Aurrender’s were extremely good at isolating playback from my network, helpful to see that statement from them. My Aurrender W20SE is really amazing. 

@classic8

Aurender uses Low-Power High-Efficiency CPU to run its OS. From Aurender website,

“Most other systems buffer. Aurenders cache. Every Aurender model features a massive solid state memory from which all playback occurs. This important feature helps to minimize system resource requirements for enhanced audio performance and stability”.

I’ve recently upgraded from Aurender N20 to N30SA, couldn’t be any happier and I’m done :-)

@Yage and @Carlsbad2 are correct. The SSD's are for storing the music, not the OS. I have 30+ Years in IT and also own a N200 and love it. I am using two 5TB SSD's. 

Thank you Jerry and yage for answering - I am interested in learning more about this before I purchase my next streamer.

I don't think EEPROMs usually have enough capacity to store the OS kernel and associated modules / stub filesystem. If the OS isn't on the storage drive, it's probably stored on a small boot drive or NAND memory module.

Good question.  I just took my Innuos out of service but I could easily map it onto my network and see the files on the SSD.  However, the SSd is optional and I think the operating system is in EProm or RAM.

Same for my Grimm.  Right now I'm having problems seeing the storage area but I can see the files associated with teh OS.

I'll watch for answers from people with more experience here than I have.

Jerry