Streamers - Can any host files?


TIA

klimt

You can use USB or many budget streamers like Blue Sound come with or can have memory added. But in general most steamers are moving away from having internal memory because on line streaming services like Qobuz and Tidal have as good or better sound quality and are so inexpensive. 

I would get the best quality (depending on the rest of your system) streamer you can and just use USB connected drive. Once  you start streaming, you’ll probably not use your stored files any more. ,

The Vault Icon is supposed to be great.  I have a  Vault 2i.  It's a great machine but I paid $1199....  it's been out for 6 or 7 years.   I mostly stream but I do have hundreds of CDs ripped to its drive.  But I also have a 2TB drive with music that I plug into my Vault or Aurender.  Most streamers can handle up to 2 TB USB drives.  Some do not have that limitation and can address 4TB or more.   

There is a 4 1/2 year old Vault 2i on Audiogon for $550.  

I used this for Ripping and Streaming Presto for 4+ years.

Or, for $1,100 you can get it in white, open box.

https://www.audiogon.com/listings?q=bluesound+vault+

 

 

FWIW, I used external SS and HD drives for years, bought an Aurender N200 and took advantage of the internal SS storage ability. The improvement in SQ was immediate and  startling. Now the ext drives are for backup insurance. 

I bought a Wiim Ultra.  You can attached a usb drive and run files off of it.  Very easy to use, great software, i use mine with an external DAC but the built in one is decent.  Around $329 but often on sale.