Streamer Software

roon is supposedly the best but you pay an extra fee every month for the privilege - on top of the fee for the streaming service

otherwise, all the ’luxury’ streaming brands try to have their own user interface software, some are better than others

i did not like the ones i tried so i went back to blu os and sonos... i have yet to capitulate to pay for roon

That’s exactly what I was afraid of. I don’t have aproblem to pay for Roon, but it also has limitations like Sonos or Tidal play(s) would not work with it. Still I haven’t seen proper review of the streaming software of even the top manufacturers. You would think that by paying 10k$ and more for streamer /+dac would give you streamelined and bugfree software that is on a same level as the product design itself, but it’s not given.

Some streamers include their own software while others don’t. Some will allow you to use software built for other manufacturers. 
Some users like free or cheap $10 software systems that retain a simple shareware interface. Others demand a fully developed polished system that will come with the more expensive hardware box. Companies like Linn and Lumin offer well made boxes with solid components and well maintained software packages. Others like to build basic Pi projects with custom cases.

Not a one size fits arena obviously...