Next step into Digital Streaming


I recently stepped into the world of digital streaming thanks to many of the discussions I read on this site and a couple others. Your advice and recommendations have been invaluable, thanks much. I acquired a Bluenode 2ia few months ago to get a taste of this world and I couldn't by happier.

I have my main audio/ht system down in the dungeon and that's where the node went, I also have another smaller audio/ht system up in the living room that I would now like to add streaming to. Cabling is possible but not easy so I'm leaning towards another streamer just for the convenience.

I have a collection on my own music that I would like to incorporate into a server/streamer as running it from the computer means i have to leave the computer running all the time, this is not my first choice as it is only used occasionally.  The house is cabled with Cat 6 so all locations "talk" to each other. 

Can I setup a server/streamer in the dungeon, load up my tunes and access them using a streamer in the living room? Is this a good way to expand? 

attila7

Yes, many streaming/server companies allow this type of networking. If you’re happy with Bluesound, you can get a Bluesound Vault and use that in your dungeon to store and serve your files. Your Node can go upstairs and act as an endpoint for that stereo. 

Depending on the type of investment you have in your system, you may consider other audiophile streamers/servers. Aurender for example has its own networking capabilities and performs at a much higher caliber than Bluesound, delivering improvements such as clarity and soundstage size. I am an Aurender dealer that used to own a whole house full of Bluesound gear, so those are the two I have most experience with. That said, there are lots of other options on the marketplace, such as Roon and Roon-enabled devices, etc.

 

Thanks for the tips. Roon isn't really a viable option for me as I am away for sizable blocks of time so don't want to get involved with subscriptions that will sit unused. I'm currently satisfied with the blue node, I choose it as I was unfamiliar with streamers so didn't want to dump a load of coin on something I wasn't sure I was going to benefit from. I've pretty decided to stay with streamers and pull the tuner and I can only see more convenience with a server option. I am considering an aurender as they seem to be universally accepted as a step up from bluesound, however there is a big price jump? Another consideration is compatibility, will aurender and bluesound play nice together or do I have to have 2 stations with the same name?

I have a standalone hard drive connected to my router via USB that we have music on. My node had no problem finding it. Understand SQ wise it’s probably not ideal, but demonstrates it is easily doable. 

I’ve done exactly that with both Plex and Roon. Roon is more expensive but delivers a more complete user experience as well as better sound quality at home.

 

A lifetime Roon license costs <$1000, so in the same general cost ballpark as many popular home audio streamers and less than most audiophile gear in people’s homes. It’s a good investment for any home hifi and music enthusiast.

Plex is better at remote streaming than Roon so Plex makes sense for a cost effective solution using everyday consumer computing devices that can do it all including good quality remote streaming via CarPlay, headphones, etc

 

The Bluesound Vault would be a convenient option, since you already have a Node. I'd probably lean toward a general purpose computer instead.  You can get a Mac Mini M2 for less than the price of a Vault, and it will do more.  You could set it up as a music server with Roon Core or Audirvana, or simply store downloaded/ripped music files on its hard drive then expose them as a shared Bluesound library to the Node. 

Some people favor a dedicated music server (such as Small Green Computer's sonicTransporter, an Aurender, an Auralic Aries, or a Roon Nucleus.)  I'm sceptical that these devices deliver any noticeable sound quality improvements. They tend to be much more expensive than a Mac Mini or a NUC, and usually don't support a wide variety of music-related applications (like the HD Tracks music file downloader, Apple Music, or REW). I do have one, though (the sonicTransporter i9,) in addition to a Mac Mini.

You don't necessarily need to buy anything new, if you happen to have an old computer lying around.  Whether it's a general purpose computer, an Aurender, a Vault, a NAS, etc., basically what you're doing is setting up a network-accessible storage device to expose your music to one or more networked endpoint device(s) attached to your HiFi system.  There are many ways to do this.