Streamer apps critical

I use a Bluesound Node mainly because I am new to streaming, and you guys mention it in the past how good it was getting sound wise and app wise. I gave up on trying to find a decent priced used Cambridge Audio  streamer. I love the CD transport I have from them. 

Bluesound is awesome!I considered keeping a Node just for the interface.

• Moon’s MiND 2 is very good
• Tidal Connect is not to bad either

I enjoy Roon for the ‘liner notes’ type of data.

InnuOS Sense. Runs circles around any Roon setup in SQ without breaking a sweat. InnuOS also has Sean Jacobs power supplies, another best of kind.

I have been through Marantz with Heos, then Wiim Pro, Wiim Ultra,  and as great as the Wiims has been, sound and app wise,  the upgrade bug just wouldn’t go away. 

So I saw a good deal on a Cambridge EXN100 and tried it. When I unboxed it I was a bit discouraged by the feel of the unit,  it didn't feel much heavier than the Ultra, for like 5 times the price.

However,  as they say, the proof was in the pudding. The sound quality is a huge improvement and the app is as easy as Wiims. Simple, straight forward with no issues. It doesn't have Amazon music,  or all the eq features that Wiim has, but I can compensate for those. I could have got the lower model for less, but it was Christmas , and I am happy I did.

Absolutely.  The app frequently defines the experience.
 

Completely agree with this first comment. I wish the UI didn’t have such a significant impact while listening to music, but it somehow does - especially when it comes to the quality of results when either searching, discovering, or categorizing music.

In terms of SQ: I don’t question fellow members’ experiences when it comes to native apps and their uptick in SQ compared to Roon - I’ve experienced this with BluOS many years ago when compared to Roon and Tidal Connect, but dismissed such impressions since there was little discussion in the forums.

For me, I’ve found significant value in Roon’s portability across various streamers. If I purchase a new Roon Ready streamer I can be listening to music within minutes vs having to create an entirely new music library while learning a new UI.

Secondary to this would be Roon’s usage of “tags” that can help organize playlists, artists, and albums to either a specific genera or user created preference or mood (ex: Sunday Music). These types of tags have been a game changer, especially when discovering and collecting new music. Unsure if any other software allows this functionality?

Innuos Sense app and its UI and SQ have always piqued my interest. In light of this and because I’m not in the market for a new streamer, I have found improvements in Roon’s SQ by turning off as many features as possible to reduce its processing.

Like all things, compromises are at play when using Roon. I’m thinking it’s probably in my financial best interest NOT to listen to either Innuos or Aurender’s native apps.