BluOS Node vs Auralic software (or other streamer)

@mgrif104
+1
Nice synopsis.
BluOS is less flaky than Lumin but it requires too much work to be a pleasure. Clear and play?
Ha.

@acree72 Good thoughts and I feel like I definitely want to try Auralics software now.

Why do I like bluOS?
1. Because its interface feels so much like Spotify and Tidal.
2. BluOS allows you to add to your Tidal/Qobuz playlists from the BluOS app (roon does not do this).
3. BluOS shows top tracks by artist where Roon does not (at least not on IOS)
4. Roon won’t operate in Landscape from my iPad.
5. Genres in Roon are often empty.

If you're looking for a better sounding streamer with good software, you should take a look at Innuos. The Zen Mini (with power supply upgrade) is the least expensive model, while the Zen or Zenith models provide exceptional sound for the cost involved. (I use the Zen Mk3 myself.) Innuos has recently upgraded its OS software to provide music management capabilities while maximizing sound quality. Several A-gon threads have already pointed out how much better Innuos 2.0.5 sounds than Roon does.

@sdl4 Oh yeah i forgot about innuos.. The main reason I haven't tried them yet is I felt I was paying for a cd ripper and storage which I don't want or need.  This is only for streaming. 

But, their software does look pretty cool.  Do they have a desktop version for it kinda like Roon or BluOS?

When I bought my Innuos Zen, I debated about whether I would use the server storage built-in. Now that I'm used to the Zen, I have integrated use of the CD ripping into my playlist construction. I didn't take on the task of ripping all my CDs to the Zen. Instead, I rip any CD I'm wanting to listen to into the Zen, which takes no more than five minutes and is incredibly smooth and simple. The sound of a WAV file from the Zen is better than listening from my CD player or the Qobuz stream, so I can integrate the WAV files along with Qobuz tracks to create whatever playlists I want. Once a favorite CD is ripped to the Zen, it's easier to access the tracks I want to play than it is to use my CD player. The Zen is designed not to use the hard drive during file playback, so no noise is added to the system when accessing files on the server.

Based on the reports of previous Roon and BluOS users, I'm confident that the Innuos software produces better sound quality. I think the new Innuos Sense control app is designed to run on a phone or tablet rather than a desktop computer. I am using it on an iPad, and it works great.