2. pc-audio
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want to get up and streaming with all new gear, please help

Hello everyone,
origianlly i guess I am looking for input on the best way to connect up a Blue sound Node 2I and a BC E1X integrated amp w/DAC.

but I’ve been out of the loop so long I’m lost on the finer points of streaming, ROON, etc. and not sure if I even need everything I bought to do the trick.

I do not have a ROON subscription as of yet but if needed….

I have several personal confusers including a MAC desktop which has an AQ Red dragon USB DA. a new 15:” Alienware laptop. a couple dell desktops. the Blue Sound Node and the Bel Canto E1X w/on board DA.

as all of the home audio items are new, i’ve not connected anything to anything yet apart from ethernet cables and one pr of analog ICs. not even powered anything up.

i did install the Blue sound app on my iphone and I believe BC has an app called sEEK I probably should install too..

is the BS Node necessary for streaming and NAS file playback given the Bel Canto’s dA digital feature set and numerous digital interfaces, or was that purchase senselewss?

I got the impression the BC INT ether net interface was only for firmware updates but I could be off on this point.

i have a synology two bay NAS with about 70K mostly lossless files, sevewral USB thumb or powered drives loaded with redundant file bacups, subscriptions to Apple music and Spodofy.

i use FUBAR 2K for file playback on both Ms and MAC platforms.

I intend on trying to acquire a higher res streaming service ala, geaser, Tidal Ammazon, or possibly that french outfit if any or all are supported by my present hardware. i suppose if one is not supported perhaps ROON might come into play.

i’m thinking too I’m gonna need some new cables as the only one on hand is an Oyade BNC.

Any EXP in this area would be sincerely appreciated.
thanks much!!
blindjim

Showing 2 responses by sandstone

sandstone
358 posts
 
Hey Blind Jim,
Great to see your name again.  That Bel Canto looks like some incredible gear.  I've owned BC DACs in various configurations through the years and can attest to their quality and transparency.
The only comments I would add to the previous  good ideas: 
- Be sure to add Tidal HiFi service to your auditioning list, which lets you take advantage of the BC's hardware decoding of MQA.
- Hopefully you own an iPad for a better display when running  the SEEK IOS app.
-Also grab a TOSLink optical cable, run it from your smart TV to the 
BC Integrated, and enjoy Hi Res (24/192) audio from that source as well.
Best, Sandstone
sandstone
358 posts
 
BJ,  You are so adept at communicating, it is hard to remember that you are doing all of this unsighted. Impressive! 

 I took the occasion to check out VoiceOver this week for the first time.  I learned that VoiceOver functions are by default included as part of the IOS development kernels.  So  It is doubly difficult to understand the BC app not implementing these.

In the meantime, I have a possible workaround to suggest trying;
 Mac or PC running Tidal, Audirvana, --> Bel Canto
Audirvana  is a great audio playback manager. It runs on Mac or PC.  It manages both local networked audio files and streaming services,
including Tidal with full MQA support,  QBuz, and a few others. 
Free trial or Buy lifetime Audirvana(AV) license for $95.  Install and get a discount or extended free trial for Tidal and Qbuz.

Tidal does not have a remote app.  Running it within AV and using AV's remote app for IOS solves this problem.
I tried running the AV remote app using VoiceOver. I'm sure not the best to judge, but it seems to work.  Most of the navigation options are selectable text.
In any event, If you can get this working properly your streaming playback quality should still be outstanding.
Cheers, Sandstone







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