Servers: Are we there yet?

Hello again folks,

My new Sony Hapz1es is due to arrive on Wednesday the 10th.  I just had a discussion with one of my audio guys whom,  even though he does not sell it,  agreed with me that this is perhaps the best solution for me.  I got to listen to a slew of Bel Canto equipment while we were discussing things,  too.

Noice stuff.

I'll offer my immediate impressions as soon as I'm able.  Thanks.

@oblgny...I'm alittle confused?  Why do you have to leave your computer on or even be near it to use the Bluesound products?

And how does the Sony unit differ in hook up and access to the Bluesound gear?

I thought I understood how each of these devices work, but apparently not?

Thanks.

@mofimadness 
Because the vault has to be connected to the Internet to play at all.  

Thats the the sole reason why I purchased the Node subsequently.  

oblgny,
Why are you saying that the vault has to be connected to the internet to play?
Why are you saying that your computer has to be on for the vault to play?  
After reading about it, the vault acts as a NAS and has internal storage. You should be able to play files stored in the vault device without internet nor computer. If you have another NAS(e.g. Mycloud, Synology, etc.) connected to your router, any files stored there should be accessible by the Bluesound app and played without computer nor internet.
Yes, you need internet to play streaming content (e.g. Tidal, Quobuz). If you have Bluesound app on a wireless device(e.g. tablet or phone) can't you control the vault wirelessly without a computer? Reviews seem to say that you can. 
Sorry, if I misunderstand, but it sounds like you are inadvertently making statements that kill Bluesound's lack of functionality and probably aren't true. With best intentions, Cheers,
Spencer

I don't agree. The Vault has to be connected to the internet only to download album art for the locally stored files, or play music from cloud service providers such as Spotify or Tidal. Even if you're sharing files within your network, you don't need internet access. I thought that was the whole point of the Vault product.

I looked into the Sony product but it also required internet connection to download cover art or play Tidal. The other thing is that I don't see any digital output on the Sony. I might be wrong but I think what that means is that you cannot use another DAC if you wish to at some point.

I'm confused. How is the Sony any better (in terms of functionality only, as we don't know the SQ differences) than the Bluesound Node 2 and Valut 2 combo? What am I missing?