best streamer for Amazon Music HD


Hello,

Newbie here, forgive me if I butcher the lingo.  I'd like to get some opinions on the best streamer compatible with Amazon Music HD.  This is the only streaming service I use.  Ideally I'd like to have a streamer that let's me remotely control Amazon Music from my phone with streamer connected to internet via ethernet. 

Looked at Amazon site and based on their recommendations it was mostly streamers that used DTS Play-Fi, Denon/Marantz HEOS, and beyond that not sure if any other options or how they would work.  Was initially leaning toward the Audiolab 6000N based on reviews and price, but the reviews for DTS Play-Fi were not great.  For one it said it wasn't streaming directly from the internet but rather transferring music from my phone to the streamer, and when I went to the Google app store the reviews are horrible. 

So now thinking either a Denon/Marantz HEOS or Bluesound streamer, but don't quite understand how they would work or how is usability, so any experiences to share would be helpful.  One question I have is with Bluesound would I be controlling streamer with the Amazon Music app or Bluesound app?  

Any feedback from your experiences with these streamers or any recommended Amazon music HD streamers would be greatly appreciated.  Amazon is the only streaming service I use, never tried any other hi-res services and am pretty happy with Amazon so don't care about other streaming services or Roon, hopefully that makes it simpler. 

Recently upgraded from my longtime vintage system Pioneer SX-980 & JBL 4311B to Focal 1038 & Raven Audio Nighthawk. Currently streaming Amazon from my phone directly to my DAC (Topping D50s)  using bluetooth AptX HD.  Only other music source is occasional vinyl which I'm looking to upgrade and will ask for help in another post.

The other option would be to wait it out since Amazon Music is pretty new and see what better streamers come out.  My only real complaints with my current bluetooth method are that HD music sometimes cuts out due to slow connection when playing HD or UHD, I can't play music and take videos of the kids at the same time, and the desire to improve sound quality.

Thanks in advance.


arnoldo
BTW, in case it was not obvious, I am controlling all of the HEOS functionality with my Marantz remote control, not a glitchy iPhone. However, when I pull up HEOS on my phone it is mimicking what my Marantz is doing. Advantages of this is I can be downstairs and still have control over my HEOS. Just realized also that I can pull up the Amazon app on my phone and select my AV7703 as my endpoint and use the functionality of the Amazon app to control it all. 
I have a Blue Sound Node2i which I use for the interface through its Blue OS. I am using the external DAC on the Marantz SA8005 through the optical cable. I tired this connection with Tidal and Spotify before, and I was very disappointed with both of them. Tidal is better but It lacks something somehow. I then moved to Amazon Music HD. This set up is perfect in anyway. The instruments are much more clearer and the bass is defined better. You can use the internal DAC on the Node2i but I find it inferior. 
That's great amosm.  Are you happy with the functionality of Amazon on BluOS?  How does it work with playlists?  Can you add songs to Amazon playlists?  Or do you create a playlist on BluOS?  I already have a lot of playlists and songs added on Amazon app, wondering if I BluOS will recognize or if I can import them to BluOS.  Generally not sure how BluOS interacts with native Amazon app features.
I'm also an AmazonUHD fan. It coincides well with typical Amazon account, add-on to Prime membership. Cancelled Tidal when AmazonUHD launched.

Have both Denon AVRX6400H (HT system) and NAD C388 w/BluOS2i (2ch system). Both AmazonUHD capable, NAD is also Tidal native-MQA capable.

They both work splendidly over Wifi for me using mesh-capable Asus routers (x3 for coverage of 1 acre). Funtioning very similarly, using PC/Android app and Alexa (voice control). They will also receive Bluetooth, but aptX won't provide same sound quality (limits of BT bandwidth) and limits of BT range (if you step away). If using HEOS or BluOS, they will keep playing (if you leave - to get gas for the mower) and control range is limited by Wifi connection (control device must be on same network). Think of them as (because they are) Wifi connected remote controls that don't stop playing just because the remote left (to get gas). HEOS works easier with Alexa - just say, "Alexa, play modern country in the basement." (wife), and Denon turns on, TV turns on, GoldenEar Tritons come to life with UltraHD (FLAC) quality Tim McGraw - happy wife. BluOS's Alexa integration isn't done as well (they don't have the deep pockets of Sound United for app development folk). BluOS requires, "Alexa, tell Bluevoice to...". If you've used voice command tech, you already know fewer words is always better to avoid confusing Alexa.

HEOS also displays album art and stream quality onscreen (with TV connected), which is very nicely done with album art repeated blurred in the background layer - which color-matches the display for each track to terrific effect (again, thank you Sound United). NAD C388 doesn't have HDMI out, and nether does Node2i. There is an HDMI MDC module for NAD, but I cannot find confirmation that album art is displayed, so I think it is not.

I don't have experience with Marantz, but same tech is shared between Denon/Marantz twins. The downside of Denon/Marantz... class AB amps, and they run HOT. I added an ACinfinity rack fan to keep AVR-X6400H from melting the Xbox1S sitting on top of it; or, you could use it to make popcorn halfway through a movie. I also have a 12ch ATI class AB amp, and it doesn't get hot (and also has no internal cooling), so it's not the amp class or multiple channels - Denon/Marantz just run hot. On the other (un-burnt) hand, NAD C388 class D (Hypex UcD) runs completely cold while delivering 400wpc into 2ohms - no cooling fan req'd (+1 for class D).

For usability and Amazon UltraHD streaming integration, I recommend Denon/Marantz - don't place anything on top or let small children play around it with Crayons. BlueOS works equally as well, without on-screen album art display and wonky voice control. Both deliver great sound quality and PC/Android app control. Another cool feature is if I startup BluOS on my laptop, start some music, turn off the laptop (music still playing), then start BluOS app on the Android tablet, it shows the same as PC app, and just picks up control seamlessly - same with Android phone. You can have them all running BluOS at the same time - change song on one device, and watch it change on the others. Quite seamless across control devices!
Answering your question about creating Amazon playlists in BluOS app.

You can access Amazon playlists - that were created in Amazon Music.
You cannot create/delete or modify Amazon playlists from within BluOS app.

Here's what I do... If I want to create/delete/modify an Amazon playlist, open Amazon Music app and make the change there. Go back to BluOS, and you will see the change has been made.
Here is a typical example: I'm using BluOS to listen to an Amazon station "Modern Folk", and hear a track that I want to add to a playlist. Open Amazon Music app, search for the track, add it to the Amazon playlist. Bring up the playlist in BluOS, and the track will be there.
Is this ideal? No, but it works.