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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

 

dkidknow
mattmiller's avatar
mattmiller
1,620 posts
 

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

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
4,591 posts
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwqaMP99maw&t=0

mahler123
4,052 posts
 

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. 
   I went with a Melco N100 .  It sounded much better than Bluesound.  It’s both a player and a NAS.  The app is based on mConnect, and mConnect worked better and only costs a few bucks.  I eventually added a CA CXN streamer to the same system because it does well with podcasts, offers AirPlay and Chromecast.  I tend to use the CA to play files from the Melco because I slightly prefer the CA app but it isn’t a major difference.  For both players I use my Bryston DAC

invalid
1,378 posts
 

The red light of death, is usually the power supply capacitors. I changed two power supply capacitors in the power supply of my node 2 and it's been working for over a year now.

wsrrsw's avatar
wsrrsw
1,478 posts
 

Psssst..hey Pal  What’s your budget? 

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