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Streamers with best apps?

I tried this question on an Australian forum with no luck, so I'm hoping a more audio savvy community might do better. I currently have a Cambridge Audio CXN which as I discovered has 2 hopeless apps when you want to find classical albums saved on Tidal My Collection. So thinking of ditching the CXN and getting another streamer/server , preferably without a DAC as I will be running it through a Pure Audio Lotus DAC 5. Most reviews of streamers seem to focus entirely on sound quality but as I have discovered the apps used are of almost equal importance. I have considered an Elac Discovery DS-S101-G which is controlled by a Roon Essentials app. So first question. Does anyone know how the Essentials app lists classical albums in Tidal My Collection and does it have a search function for the albums saved? Second question what streamers can you recommend that at least are equal and preferably better than the Tidal app which does have a search function but very little logic as to how it lists classical albums. I have thought about the Bryston BDP Pi, Innous Zen mini or an Auralic streamer but know nothing about the usability of their respective apps. So anyone out there who can help.
128x128mazian
classdstreamer's avatar
classdstreamer
169 posts
 
Hi Mazian, I agree that the software side of streaming is incredibly important. Have you tried streaming via Chromecast with your Cambridge CXN? My understanding is that Cambridge incorporates Chromecast into their streaming hardware. Over Chromecast, you'll be using the software of the streaming service rather than the streamer. 

If you like classical music, the Idagio streaming service looks to have some of the best indexing. 

I use a Chromecast Audio with an ifi reclocker. It sounds great, but I don't know how it compares to pricier streamers.  
sameyers1
138 posts
 
+2 LUMIN. I own a U1 mini and stream to an Ayre DAC.  The LUMIN unit runs Roon flawlessly, but the LUMIN app is also excellent with Tidal or Qobuz, just simpler with fewer capabilities than Roon. 
Your budget will certainly have a bearing on your choice as LUMIN and Auralic gear are far more costly than Bluesound and Elac.  Hopefully you can find dealers that will let you demo the various options. 
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creditingkarma
101 posts
 
I would recomend Auralic. I recently upgraded from the Ariea G1 to the Aries G2. They are both great but if you can afford it I recomend the G2.

I was using a macbook pro to feed my Chord Hugo TT2 previously. I.can say without a doubt the the streamer mad a huge difference in the sound quality of my system. I was auditioning mscaler and imo the Auralic made a bigger difference in the sound. Rhe interface is great too it works with tidal, qobuz, roon, spotify, and it is airplay capable. You can also program it with a remote control so you don't need to have a tablet all the time either. My system is below for reference.

Auralic Ariea G2-> Chord Hugo TT2-> Hegel H360 -> Magico S1MKII or Abyss AB-1266 Phi TC. All of the cabling is transparent as well as the power conditioning. 
oldschool1948's avatar
oldschool1948
501 posts
 
Innous Zen mini
I can't speak for a  Innous Zen mini's app.  I have an Innous Zenith MKII and it's app for setup, ripping CDs, and server management is very good to excellent not to mention it's excellent SQ.  For playing music, I use Roon; although when I first bought it I used Logitech Media Server (LMS).  With a NAD M12, I also once used the BluOS app; it's OK. 

IMHO, Roon is by far the best music management software available.  Next, I'd select LMS because it supports so many devices, the SQ is excellent, and unlike Roon you can group multiple protocols (e.g., RAAT and AirPlay) in the same zone.  LMS can be a bit challenging to setup, but once done it works very well.

drhelzer
17 posts
 
I agree with the others that believe Roon to be the best music management software out there at the moment.  It is IMO well worth the price tag for the full version.  Unfortunately you are running a Cambridge device that doesn't play well with Roon.  Since you are considering a new device without a DAC there are several great ones out there that are Roon ready- Auralic, Bryston, SimAudio, LUMIN......
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