Here’s a nice Innuos Zen at a good price, but it only offers USB out. Best of luck.
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650246043-innuos-zen-mk-3-serverstreamer-with-2-tb-storage/
My Bluesound Vault 2 died. Where to next?
Don't know what happened-- I approved a player upgrade (not the software) as I have many times before, and now I have a steady red light and my app can't find the player. The unit was purchased new in 2014, so I guess that's pretty good for a modern computer-type thingie with a spinning-disc hard drive. I have all my music backed up in uncompressed .wav and also have the CDs, so I'm not freaking out, but I am a bit overwhelmed since there are so many more options now than in 2014.
In my setup, I fed data to the Bluesound via .75m ethernet and passed the digital out of the Bluesound via spdif to a Mytek Brooklyn DAC. I'd like my next server/streamer to do the same. In case you can't access my virtual system, I run the DAC to a Line Magnetic 518IA integrated and out through Merlin VSMs. I listen to my library and have a hifi Tidal subscription that I really like.
First question is whether I need integrated storage in a server or if I can just put a 256gb usb thumb drive into a streamer and use that as my NAS, and if so, priority would be given to a streamer that can do this seamlessly. If I need a server for onboard storage, then I will definitely want SSD storage so there's a lower risk of drive failure.
I suppose I could just get a current Bluesound product. 11 years isn't awful for the price I paid and I do like the Bluesound app. Wouldn't mind taking a bit of a step up in hopes of enjoying digital more. Don't want to open a "bits is bits" battle but I am curious whether a higher quality of server/streamer will affect the sound quality a lot, a little or otherwise. Especially since the power cable to my PS Audio Stellar Phono cost more than 2/3 of the Bluesound-- I have a bit of budget headroom. Along those lines, Budget is preferably $1500-$2500 and i'd love to buy used unless that's something "not to be done" in the case of a server/streamer in the fourth quarter of 2025. I have a vague idea that Innuos, Aurender & NAIM have esteemed products in the general area of what I want. I'm open to suggestions, including that I need something totally different. I really do want an easy set & forget system. I found the Bluesound really easy to integrate with my system and lifestyle, so don't want something that I have to supervise a lot.
Thanks in advance.
D
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I’m intrigued by the Volumio Rivo+ with the external LPS. I don’t have it but I’ve read and watched a ton of reviews and it’s, apparently, very good. Software is good and supports Qobuz and Tidal, among others. It supports external USB drives for file storage and playback. It would be in your price range new. Maybe I’m just projecting but I’m pretty sure it’s the direction I’m going sometime soon. |
I see you already have a excellent DAC from Mytek, all you need now is a excellent SERVER from Aurender. And with the Conductor App and Tidal integration ...YOU will be in a NEW world when it comes to sound quality!! ( the Bluesound is one of the worst sounding digital products Ive ever heard, but for $500 there is nothing else, I get it! ) The Aurender will change everything you thought about what great digital sound can be.
https://aurender.com/home/n200
Also, If you can find a pre owned N100 they work very well.
Matt M |
The same thing happened to my Vault 2, but it was after 5 years of use. I bought mine about the same time you bought yours. So I think you did pretty well . You didn’t specify a budget. |
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