want to get up and streaming with all new gear, please help

I’m a Roon addict and a Node 2! user. They go together well. Some don’t like the DAC in the Node 2i. 
All the outputs of the Node 2i are “hot” so it is really easy to connect up all its different analogue and digital outputs to your amp/dac and then just by switching source you can have a listen to see if there are differences you can hear, and if so then settle on the route you prefer. 
I run my Node’s coax to the digital input of my amp. I think maybe I heard a small difference compared to the optical alternative, but I doubt it really.  But my son was convinced the DAC in the amp gave a better sound to the DAC in the Node, so we don’t use the analogue out option. 
Roon gives you a view of your signal path, a DSP option, and great metadata. Your Mac is a good home for the Roon software. 

You don’t NEED Roon it’s just a resource taxing luxury. I used to use my Synology. Better sound and faster loading on local SSDs. You can load tracks on memory remotely via WiFi on most streamers. The only one of 5 I cannot is the BluSound.
That’s OK, I hate BluOS’s persistant queue anyway.
In the future I see atreaming from your own tracks on the cloud. Not sure when it will sound as good.

@jond
Yes the Node duplicates the features in your Bel Canto.

blindjim>
lovely. exactly the same way mostly? via ethernet and its ‘SEEK’ app?

@jond
So basically download the Bel Canto app and you can start streaming, you do not need Roon DLNA control works. It’s likely the app has control software of it’s own or will point you in a recommended direction.

blindjim>
outstanding. thanks much.


@bluemoodriver
All the outputs of the Node 2i are “hot” so it is really easy to connect up all its different analogue and digital outputs to your amp/dac and then just by switching source you can have a listen to see if there are differences…

blindjim>
can the sources be selected via the IOS app of the BSN2i?

somehow I missed the idea the BSN2 uses touch controls and different colored lights or such on top of the unit for various things.

my inability to see poses some issues if that is the only way one can alter inputs or outputs.


fuzztone
You don’t NEED Roon it’s just a resource taxing luxury. I used to use my Synology. Better sound and faster loading on local SSDs. You can load tracks on memory remotely via WiFi on most streamers. The only one of 5 I cannot is the BluSound.

blindjim>
Thus far that seems par for the course!

not sure I'd dig having to use ROON myself.

what fashion, or method/plan do you use to stream tracks off of your Synology?

I bought the 720 plus. installed a pair of WD Gold 12TB HDDs and use RAID 1 to mirror the content, hence about 11TB of useable space.

I’ve only got about 700GB of mostly lossless music right now. about 65K or 70K tracks. across various formats, FLAC, AIF, ALAC, etc.

have you installed in the package Center some audio apps or server apps that help?

or are you using 3rd party apps on your mobile device to arrange, collate, and playback playlists into your dA?

syn used to have its own music app, ‘DS Audio’ I think. a bit clunky IMO.

I just got my 720 up and running yesterday. copying files to it presently while awaiting the BC integrated and some remodeling to be done, so any walk thru or step b step on the above would be extremely appreciated.

looks like the BSN is gonna eitehr get sold or shoved into the bed room rig.
many, many thanks, jim

Hey Blind Jim,
Great to see your name again.  That Bel Canto looks like some incredible gear.  I've owned BC DACs in various configurations through the years and can attest to their quality and transparency.
The only comments I would add to the previous  good ideas: 
- Be sure to add Tidal HiFi service to your auditioning list, which lets you take advantage of the BC's hardware decoding of MQA.
- Hopefully you own an iPad for a better display when running  the SEEK IOS app.
-Also grab a TOSLink optical cable, run it from your smart TV to the 
BC Integrated, and enjoy Hi Res (24/192) audio from that source as well.
Best, Sandstone

@jond
So basically download the Bel Canto app and you can start streaming, you do not need Roon DLNA control works. It’s likely the app has control software of it’s own or will point you in a recommended direction.

blindjim>
well, here we go again.

screen reader ala accessibility software is not provided by BC in their SEEK app on IOS, albeit if BC and others would only follow apple’s intent no one would be left behind.

apple openly provides and encourages third party app developers to incorporate support for Voice Over (Apple’s screen reading feature) if an IOS app is to be launched.

Sadly, nearly none of these medioa player builders, free or paid subcriptions, comply.

SEEK is useless if the user is not sighted. only one button/control is labeled on the home screen. the user guide for the $8K E1X INT is as welll totally inaccessible. each page of the guide was copied as an image, rather than as text and consequently is read by my adapteive sW as UG page one IMAGE, UG page two = IMAGE, UG page three = IMAGE, etc.. , thus yielding a useless format, if one is without sight, or has some other physical shortcomings, e.g. parapalegics, stroke victims and so on.

ridiculous!! albeit to be fair, Bel Canto is not alone in delivering User Guide into in pdf in this manner, many other likewise outfits follow suit and ignore adding in support for adaptive software for those with physical challenges. why? its cheaper. takes a wee bit less time to encode labels on buttons, controls, etc. and provide a completed project that works for the majority.

one stereophile reviewer mentions the user guide and seEEK app needed greater clarity and support to better understand the entire feature set and operations of the latest BC E1X line up.

Its exceptionally irritating whenever any owner manual is so shortsightedly authored and especially so when one has to outlay thousands of dollars for the device whose abilities, features settings and are indeed expansive oer complex.

i’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer but with sufficient information I have been able to manage some quite steep learning curves various appliances and compionents oblige the user to overcome.

wen a maker is unwilling or unable to provide the buyer/user with the information prerequisite to operating and fully optimizing their product (s) they do both the consumer and themselves a diservice.

BC replied to the stereophile revieewer more info would be forthcoming to clarify better the ins and outs of their latest lineup so a better user experience is the case.

Bel Canto also points towards ROON as another viable path for the E1X integration to an audio system.

I for one sure hope so… and soon.

@sandstone
Hey Blind Jim, Great to see your name again.
The only comments I would add to the previous good ideas:
- Be sure to add Tidal HiFi service to your auditioning list, which lets you take advantage of the BC's h0ardware decoding of MQA.
- Hopefully you own an iPad for a better display when running the SEEK IOS app.

blindjim>
than you. its good to be back and getting involved in the buying and selling end and not just the talking part.

Yes. I own two pads, an Air II and a pad mini latest gen.

bvut SEEK does no better with then than it does on my iphone 8. nada. zilch. SEEK is just not compliant wiuth Voice Over, as such, useless to me.