I find it useful to use the computer terminology:
Storage: where the music files are stored
Music server: software, running on a pc, that catalogues music available in networked or local storage and offers it up to a control point with various sorting options.
Control point: software, on a phone, iPad, or even a renderer, that sees a music server, and allows you to choose what to play, and which renderer to send it to.
Renderer: receives a music file from a music server or streaming service and delivers it to a DAC
streamers are usually a combination of renderer and control point, although most allow you to use your phone/iPad as a control point.
There are many proprietary standards (Like BlueOs) but most servers/control points/ renderers will inter-operate on a communication standard called DLNA/UPnP.
I’m a bit of an open-source junkie, so I run minimserver music server software on network-attached storage. I run BubbleUPnP on an android tablet as a control point, and I have cambridge, iFI, KEF LS50W and Chromecast renderers/streamers to which I can send output. Bubble sees my tidal and Qobuz accounts as well as my music server so it can see all my music sources and renderer endpoints. You may have heard of Roon, which is a very popular combination music server and control point software that does all the same stuff, but requires that your streamer be a Roon endpoint. Slightly less common than UPnP compliance.
It is a a lot of terminology, but one walk through of an existing setup and you will totally get it.
Storage: where the music files are stored
Music server: software, running on a pc, that catalogues music available in networked or local storage and offers it up to a control point with various sorting options.
Control point: software, on a phone, iPad, or even a renderer, that sees a music server, and allows you to choose what to play, and which renderer to send it to.
Renderer: receives a music file from a music server or streaming service and delivers it to a DAC
streamers are usually a combination of renderer and control point, although most allow you to use your phone/iPad as a control point.
There are many proprietary standards (Like BlueOs) but most servers/control points/ renderers will inter-operate on a communication standard called DLNA/UPnP.
I’m a bit of an open-source junkie, so I run minimserver music server software on network-attached storage. I run BubbleUPnP on an android tablet as a control point, and I have cambridge, iFI, KEF LS50W and Chromecast renderers/streamers to which I can send output. Bubble sees my tidal and Qobuz accounts as well as my music server so it can see all my music sources and renderer endpoints. You may have heard of Roon, which is a very popular combination music server and control point software that does all the same stuff, but requires that your streamer be a Roon endpoint. Slightly less common than UPnP compliance.
It is a a lot of terminology, but one walk through of an existing setup and you will totally get it.