Yet another streamer options thread...

I like the Eversolo A6. Some people around here seem to not care for Eversolo based on issues they have had. Some of them will likely chime in soon enough. My A6 and A8 have both been pretty much flawless so I’ve got no complaints. 

The A6 satisfies a lot of your criteria but not quite all. It doesn’t have a headphone out, and I can’t say whether you will like the internal DAC more than your Oppo since they both have their own strengths/weaknesses. 

The good part about Eversolo is that it is widely available. You can easily find it from somewhere that allows returns if you aren't happy with it. That's a huge benefit.

@v-fi

Headphone out is not an absolute requirement, as I have a dedicated headphone rig.  I don't suppose you have ever used the Squeezelite interface?

Thoughts on the Bluesound Node Icon?

Thoughts on the Bluesound Node Icon?

I really like the Cambridge Audio lineup 

Node Icon has top mounted controls.  This is probably going into a cabinet and they would not be accessible.  Also. i would like to be able to sync it with my other streamers.  Otherwise Node Icon seems to have everything I would want.

In that price range, +1 for the Wiim Ultra.  Simple, effective, quiet.

I have the Ultra in my main system and really like it. It supports LMS streaming as you probably already know, and the Wiim app, as an alternative, is getting better and better with time.  Album display is a shade small but acceptable to me. Since it supports an external DAC the only reason to spend more is if you want something prettier or with a big display.

I'm leaning towards the DMP-A6 at the moment.  Is the upgrade to Master Edition worth the extra cost?

The piCorePlayer is not an option for my main rig,"

How did you come to this incorrect conclusion ?

To the OP...

are you unhappy with the sound of the Ultra or just looking for something different?

I too have been pretty impressed with the WiiM Ultra in my main system... even without an external DAC but I hope to try one soon.

@cutthroat

The piCorePlayer won't physically fit where I need it to go.

@foamcutter 

The WiiM Ultra is currently in my headphone system.  I would buy a second one if I decide to go that route.  The only thing it is missing is balanced output, but my integrated amp is only a foot or two away, SE should be fine.  I would need to purchase some cabling though.

@jtucker    The piCorePlayer won’t physically fit where I need it to go.

PiCorePlayer is software for a Raspberry Pi, which is the size of a deck of cards. The raspberry Pi can be had for less than $100 and PiCorePlayer is Free software.

I can afford any streamer that I want, but I choose this solution as the Sound Quality is as good as it gets, and lets you choose the DAC of your choice and more control over your streamer than any I've tried.. I’ve used this for 10 years now.

So you appear to be confused.... I can help you understand, just ask questions.

@jtucker

Also, you mentioned that you require a Screen Display for Album art. With PiCorePlayer you have a number of options. I use Squeeze Ctrl casting it to my TV. So the Screen is 55 inches and OLED resolution. Not a tiny 2x3 inch Screen on Streamers.

@cutthroat 

My piCorePlayer uses a 7" touchscreen.  It's just a little too big to fit where i want it to go.  Are using USB output to your DAC?

Yes, I have 10 Raspberry Pies throughout my home.  Most all of them use USB output to a Dac or an Amp with an internal Dac. You’ve already got and understand the Squeezelite software. So, I think you just need a few tweaks. If your Rpi is a Model 4 or 5 the USB will give you SQ, that is as good as it gets. if your Rpi is a Model 3 or below, USB is not going to work as well.

Get rid of the 7 inch Screen and just use the Rpi.... And as I mentioned, if you have a TV nearby you can display artwork on the TV in a variety of ways. What I do is use Screen Ctrl on my phone and cast it to the TV. I use a Chromecast in the back of the TV.... I get an amazing artwork Picture on my 55 inch OLED TV - With bit rate and Track progress displayed.

I’m not sure where you are going to ’Set up’ your streamer, but an RPi is so flexible and cheap that there are many options for you. 

I built mine some time ago while I was still working, mostly as a fun project (like I needed an electronics project for 'fun'...I was an electrical engineer).  I think it is a 3B+.  So sounds like I would need to get the latest and greatest V5.  I was thinking about re-purposing my current PCP into a weather station.

If I were you, I’d get the Model #4 Rpi.... The Rpi #5 offers no advantages over the #4 for PiCorePlayer purposes. And get the smallest memory also. When I buy an Rpi today that’s what I get.

The Model #4 will also run cooler and be cheaper.