Choosing a network player/streamer


This is my first post on here so please don't be too brutal with me if I commit an Audiogon faux-pas. 
I have a nice little Bryston system that I have assembled over the last couple of years.  It consists of a BP-26 Pre-amp, BDP-3 network player (with BOT-1), BCD-1 cd player,  BDA-3 DAC, 14B-SST amplifier, and Magnepan 3.6r's. 
I recently added a Yamaha np-s303 network player to check out.  It sounds good playing through the Bryston DAC, and its APP (Musicast) is super easy to learn/use. The Bryston interface is problematic and just not intuitive to use.  So now I'm looking for a compelling reason to keep the Bryston BDP-3 instead of selling it in favor of the Yamaha np-s303.  Any constructive comments or opinions are greatly appreciated. 

okhunter

“The Bryston interface is problematic and just not intuitive to use. So now I’m looking for a compelling reason to keep the Bryston BDP-3”

Do you like being miserable? If yes, then keep the BDP-3. As @mahler123 points out, the app to control a streamer is a huge part of the streaming experience. You like the Yamaha np-s303 sound and ease of use, so what else is holding you back to make a switch? 

I was just hoping someone could report having had good experiences with the Bryston. Possibly some easy methods that I have not discovered.  I hope James and Chris from Bryston might take some pointers from Audiogon members and make adjustments to MM.  I really like the format and build quality of the equipment.  I just wish it was easy to use like Yamaha.  If the MM software was similar to Yamaha's Musicast,  everyone would rave about how great and easy and FUN it was to use. 

In my opinion there is one other option to consider, and that is if you were interested in pursuing Roon.  In that case the Bryston BDP3 would make for a superb Roon endpoint.  And if willing to make the investment ... Roon makes for a superb interface, especially if streaming from one's own library, or from Qobuz and/or Tidal. Just my 2 cents. Yamaha player, to my knowledge, is not Roon ready, so Roon would not be an option.

No one has ever reported fun with Manic Moose - appropriately named. It takes a complete IT dept. to make software better. Or open source like LMS that does Roon too if you feel like another subscription.

okhunter 

I was just hoping someone could report having had good experiences with the Bryston. Possibly some easy methods that I have not discovered.

I dumped my Aurender in favor of the Bryston BDP-3 and I've been happy ever since. If you're not keen on the MM software, you might try Rigelian as an alternative.