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Can we talk streamers based on UI rather then SQ?

I'm a Node 2i user currently and looking for a change.
I've been reading lots of posts for the last week or so and I'm not sure if I'm more or less confused then
when I started. Lol
Looking to move on from the Node platform because the UI is bothering me.

Most of the topic of discussions based around the multitude of streamers seems to be on SQ.
I could be off base, but I think in my mid-fi system, (Wired 4 Sound STI-500V2 >dac to be determined>Dali Helicon 800) I'll be happy with the SQ of most any streamer. I'm much more concerned with the UI as I really just want it to work as intended.

I've got about $2K to spend on a dac and or dac/streamer. 
I see a ton of praise for the Lumin gear but I also see that it seems to be built around the IOS platform and I use Android / PC. Has this issue been resolved or am I making a mountain out of a mole hill? 

I also like the idea of the Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra, just have no idea what the UI is like.
Or any small form streamer that "just works"
I like the idea of being able to DAC swap with these.  

What I want out of it:
 Streaming mainly. Tidal, Spotify and the like. 
 Ethernet Connection to my router and no issues linking to my local music files. (Node keeps dropping my local files)
 
I like the look of my Jriver index but I'm not married to it.
Don't care about Roon at this point.

I don't need a NAS do I? I have less then 1TB of music. 

What will help me make this decision? 
 
Thank you
 
flavo
kren0006
1,859 posts
 
Hmmm, not sure what to tell you because BlueOS is the best that I’ve used, and I currently own streamers that use the following, in addition to BlueOS: LUMIN OS, Streammagic (Cambridge), HEOS (marantz), and DTS Play Fi (Integra).
Granted, I’m only using them to stream Tidal and not using them to access local libraries.


its funny because I am moving on from bluesound for sound quality reasons, but the interface is good IMO : )

what type (eg, cat 7?) and length of Ethernet cable are you using?  I got drops with LUMIN before going to cat7
flavo's avatar
flavo OP
40 posts
 
kren0006
I'm not saying it's the best sound possible out of my system. Just that I listen more casually and I'd be happy with any minor upgrade that could be adjusted more on the DAC side. 

Cat6 and about 30' of cable.
I'm not getting drop outs. The BlueOS is completely loosing my local files. In the past I could "reindex" in the music settings. But now they are gone and I can't seem to get them back.
Rather then really digging into the situation and rectifying it, I'm using it as an excuse to upgrade ;-) 
jazzman7
358 posts
 
flavo,
I’ve been using BluOS since 2014, use the Melco HD app, as well as being a Roon user. What you are experiencing if I could hazard a guess sounds more like a network issue. Where do your local files reside? Has your network path been corrupted?  Simplest fix might be just to plug in an external USB device containing your music files directly into the Node 2i.
flavo's avatar
flavo OP
40 posts
 
jazzman7
You’re running the Melco app over or instead of the BlueOS app?

I think I’m not understanding your question of where my local files reside?
They are one of 2 SSD inside of my PC case. The SSD they are on is mainly for storing of my media files.

In reading Nodes literature, they don’t recommend using the USB port for anything but temporary music files. IE, don’t leave it plugged in and expect good results.
Why, I have no idea.
It couldn’t hurt too bad to try.


For what it's worth. I've just "reindexed" my library in the Nodes settings again and I have my local library back.
This has not worked the last 3 times I tried it.  
jazzman7
358 posts
 
flavo,
I use the Melco HD app only with my Melco N1A music server which also functions as my systems NAS. Roon I use with my Roon Nucleus as well as my Bluesound kit. I also use BluOS with my Bluesound players. I’m still guessing that you are experiencing a network issue. Plugging in a USB storage device (flash drive or external hard drive, etc ...) directly to the Node just bypasses any network issues or corrupted path issues that you may be experiencing.

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