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Newbie question about Vault 2i

I am about to order my new home theater and I am planning on buying Vault2.  I have Ethernet set up in closet where the gear is. 
I am planning on converting my CD’s and also signing on to either Tidal or Qobuz.  
The way I understand it is whatever music I download will be stored on Vault until I drop service.
Vault will be connected to my new receiver.
I will access the music via my iPhone and iPad, correct?
will a subscription to Roon make it easier to use Vault or is the software easy enough to use. What is the Value of using Roon?
Would converting to FLAC be the best option. 
Is connecting to receiver via rca cables to analog out the best way to go
if I didn’t care about converting CD’s would Node 2i be a good option for a lot less money? Is there an advantage to storing Tidal files and Qobuz on on Vault rather than just streaming Tidal to Node 2i.
thanks 
Bob

galleybob
mahler123
3,268 posts
 
I concur with the above.
I have just added Qobuz via the Vault2.  My understanding is that if a download is purchased, then you actually own it, so if you have concerns about losing albums if you discontinue service—or if the label in question severs their tie with Qobuz—that is your option.
Regarding Roon, I would definitely just get familiar with the BluOS app first.  Roon requires a lot of computing power to run, particularly for large collections.  My MacAir couldn’t handle it and crashed repeatedly during the trial.  You may want to ask others how well Roon operates on a Vault before you do a free trial.
Regarding which DAC to use—the AVR, or the Vault2–it depends on your gear.  The DAC in the Vault2 is ok, and will play MQA via Tidal, if that is important, but isn’t the last word in refinement.  If you have a better DAC in your AVR then go that route.  You should be able to do both—connect to your AVR with analog and digital cables—and then easily flip back and forth using the AVR remote and compare
galleybob OP
156 posts
 
I was all set for Vault 2 but after considering all the money I will be spending on Home Theater I think I will just spend $500 on Node 2i. My reasoning is that I can live with the conversions of my CD's to AIFF that I have done. Unless I am missing something I don't see why I need HD of Vault as I won't be purchasing music. I think for streaming Qobuz, the Node2i will be fine. I may be wrong on this. I know Tim said I have to store music somewhere but my nephew who uses Tidal said streaming is not a problem and he does not store the music on HD. As far as my converted Aiff files they are now in my iTunes folder. Wouldn't the Node 2i be able to access this.
I don't have any plan as of now of adding Roon. Thanks
reubent
6,952 posts
 
@galleybob - If your AIFF files are on a system that is attached to the same network as the Node2i, the Node should find them. I don't own one, but I own another streamer and that is how it works. It will catalog every audio file it finds on the network.

Hopefully a Node 2/2i owner will chime in and validate my assumption.
galleybob OP
156 posts
 
Thanks that sounds right
galleybob OP
156 posts
 
I bought the Node 2i and set have it hooked to my receiver via analog. I am listening to Tidal MQA files. I have also set up a Network HD for my AIFF files which I converted with my Apple Superdrive. The files sound pretty good for sure but I think Tidal MQA is better. Would the Vault 2i do a better job in converting my CD's and would my CD files sound more like Tidal MQA. Thanks
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