davarazzo
Member
So I have ripped my CD collection to my NAS and still buying new ones, downloading HD flac files, etc. I’ve been using my laptop with USB output to my DAC and that’s getting tiresome. Fine for the office, but in the 2ch media room, not so much. I’ve been saving some $$$ and wanting to give my system a facelift to the 21st century.
I have been looking at network audio players (bridges?) and while I have investigated the specs and features of many, it finally hit me that there is a software element I have not considered and honestly, precious little that I can find has been written about. Most reviews I have read on most of the hardware I am considering might have 3-5 sentences on the software platform. And what is written normally isn’t really about how I would use the software/device. It plays Tidal. ……..Okay. My big concern is what kind of experience will I have with my music collection. While I do enjoy streaming services, I primarily spend time listening to my favorite music on CD and flac files.
I looked at the ratings at the Google store and Apple store and noted the platform really didn’t make much difference. Some folks are spending what I consider to be big bucks for hardware that has a software platform that ………. Well, sucks.
I guess Roon seems to be the best thing going from what I can see, but paying a monthly/yearly fee to use your $1500 - $3700 device rubs me the wrong way. And if you pay $1500 plus $120/yr to have a network player, shouldn’t the software be a 5+?
Android Platform ratings:
Cambridge Audio’s Streammagic 2.8
NAD’s BlueOS 3.1
Volumio Prime’s 3.3
Arcam’s MusicLive 1.8
Primare Prisma App 2.7
Marantz/Denon’s HEOS 3.4
Roon 4.2
iThing Platform ratings:
Cambridge Audio’s Streammagic 3.6
NAD’s BlueOS 2.8
Volumio Prime’s 3.3
Arcam’s MusicLive 3.2
Primare Prisma App 2.7
Marantz/Denon’s HEOS 4.2
Roon 4.0
Am I missing something here? What software platform do you find best for your network bridge/player to play your saved digital music collection? Is it stable? You ready to give your device flight lessons?
I do have HEOS experience as I own 2 Marantz NR1200. One for the living room and one for the home gym. I primarily use it for watching TV (hdmi) and streaming services (Pandora and Tidal). For TV and streaming services, i'd give a 4+ most days. for listening to my flac collection, about a 1- HEOS will not go into my 2ch media room system.
I have been looking at network audio players (bridges?) and while I have investigated the specs and features of many, it finally hit me that there is a software element I have not considered and honestly, precious little that I can find has been written about. Most reviews I have read on most of the hardware I am considering might have 3-5 sentences on the software platform. And what is written normally isn’t really about how I would use the software/device. It plays Tidal. ……..Okay. My big concern is what kind of experience will I have with my music collection. While I do enjoy streaming services, I primarily spend time listening to my favorite music on CD and flac files.
I looked at the ratings at the Google store and Apple store and noted the platform really didn’t make much difference. Some folks are spending what I consider to be big bucks for hardware that has a software platform that ………. Well, sucks.
I guess Roon seems to be the best thing going from what I can see, but paying a monthly/yearly fee to use your $1500 - $3700 device rubs me the wrong way. And if you pay $1500 plus $120/yr to have a network player, shouldn’t the software be a 5+?
Android Platform ratings:
Cambridge Audio’s Streammagic 2.8
NAD’s BlueOS 3.1
Volumio Prime’s 3.3
Arcam’s MusicLive 1.8
Primare Prisma App 2.7
Marantz/Denon’s HEOS 3.4
Roon 4.2
iThing Platform ratings:
Cambridge Audio’s Streammagic 3.6
NAD’s BlueOS 2.8
Volumio Prime’s 3.3
Arcam’s MusicLive 3.2
Primare Prisma App 2.7
Marantz/Denon’s HEOS 4.2
Roon 4.0
Am I missing something here? What software platform do you find best for your network bridge/player to play your saved digital music collection? Is it stable? You ready to give your device flight lessons?
I do have HEOS experience as I own 2 Marantz NR1200. One for the living room and one for the home gym. I primarily use it for watching TV (hdmi) and streaming services (Pandora and Tidal). For TV and streaming services, i'd give a 4+ most days. for listening to my flac collection, about a 1- HEOS will not go into my 2ch media room system.