Misunderstanding how a PS Audio Bridge II network card works


It seems I misunderstood how the PS Audio Bridge II card worked. From all the material I had read, some of it confusing I might add, I thought the Bridge card would recognize a DLNA music server on the network and stream the contents from the server.

Now, my new understanding is the DLNA music server / streamer has to have the ability to stream to the Bridge II, not something many music servers / streamers can do across the network.

For example, if I was to add a Cambridge Audio CXN V2 to my system, it has to recognize the Bridge II as a device it can stream to across the network, something I don't think is going to happen. I would have to use a coax or USB interconnect and make a direct connection.  Am I correct?

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From the online documentation, the Bridge II appears to turn your DAC into streamer (a UPnP renderer). That means it essentially performs the same function as the CXN. Cambridge Audio offers a nice diagram of a UPnP based system on this web page - What is UPnP?

 

Using the diagram as a reference, if you have music stored on a computer, you either need to share the folder it's stored in or install / enable UPnP / DLNA on that PC.

 

If you're using a streaming service such as Tidal or Qobuz, you'll need to find a UPnP app (or perhaps a plugin for the UPnP server software) that lets you access those streaming services and select the Bridge II as the renderer.

I think I have it figured out.

i guess I just have to look at a different way of playing my music than what I was accustomed to. I purchased the mConnect Player app and see that it recognizes all my DLNA servers including my A-500 and gives me the option of where to “play to”. I don’t have my PS Audio DAC/Bridge II installed at the moment but I guess this is where it will it will show up as an option.

The Popcorn Hour A-500 has its own media cataloging software, its own remote control, and a GUI that displays on a TV through HDMI. Instead of using that, it looks like I will be using my iPad or iPhone to stream to the Bridge II using mConnect.