Streaming 102

I am just adding a post since i just unboxed and set up a Bluesound Node (2021 version). Perfect for desktop application. Sounds sophisticated and surprisingly clear. Now if i can get use to streaming music from BlueOS/Roon versus Tidal. A big plus is being able to change songs without clicking, just reach and the arrows light up, also stop or pause. I even managed to get Roon working so some progress on that front.

@mrdon   Congratulations.

in many ways there are huge differences in streaming… now too much music. Now it can become exploration. Then you  have to be able to find your way back. Also, how do you find your way into new categories and follow the stuff you begin to like. It is great, I have always been an explorer. I have added hundreds of albums to,my favorites, but only go back to them when I get lazy, like Sunday mornings. 

@fittebd said

I am a true believer in the Sonore line.

+1. OP, my experience was that improving on the bluesound node2's sound and functionality as a streamer only may cost 3-5x $$ commitment for 2-3x SQ gains.

If you're patient and find a Signature Rendu (the one with spdif & I2S outputs, no USB) at a fair price, it is an *exceptionally* good sounding streamer! I used one with an SOtm 200 neo (both currently sidelined) with bubbleupnp server on the Sotm as the server with network switch in between and coax out to my Mystique v3 dac and still fondly remember how enjoyable it was but decided to simplify with a network bridge.

If not for the complicated operation & inconvenient way to access Tidal & Qobuz, I would happily live with its great musical performance. I'm very comfortable keeping them as backup. *Very* musical and resolute streaming for >$2K. BTW the Signature Rendu uses a gem of a swiss-made MR MOD streaming board from abc-pcb.ch. Sonore also paid special attention to its spdif output implementation.

Hope this helps.

Hi stray_cat, when you say you moved to a network bridge do you mean the dCS unit. I will, I think, soon be ordering a new Mystique X and need to think about a good streamer. Also if you could please provide a little more info on how you came to choose the V3 and what it replaced. I was after a V3 but they seem impossible to find. This tells me they must be exceptionally good.

@OP, the streamer is as important as the DAC. Ignore the tired old bits is bits and it's just 0,s and 1's

Hi, i posted several times on this feed about my new Bluesound version 2021. After settling in i find there is a noticeable pause before playing and stopping. Does anyone know if a pause after selecting "play and stop" is normal for a "hardwired" setup?