What am I doing wrong?

Thank you for your help, the Raspberry pi Option is an interesting one and I will look at that with pleasure.

My reservations about a DAP simply stem from my belief in it's capability to monitor itself. I think it will be likewise a phone with the inherent battery problems and therefore with a clock misalignment. Not noticeable with headphones, but with large speakers.

As respects a DAP, perhaps order one from an online retailer with a full money-back return policy.  If it works, problem solved! If it doesn't send it back for a refund. 

Thank you Amazon!

I have an Innuos Pulsar Streamer and Accuphase DC-1000 DAC and as incredible these components are, they are useless when the internet is down since my only source for music is streaming. After extensive research I've been contemplating creating a curated library of  local files to get me by when the internet is down. Basically purchase the hi-res file from Qobuz, ECM etc from my Samsung Gallaxy Ultra,  then transfer the file to a WD Red SN700 2TB that's inserted into a Sabrent EC-SNVE, and then connect the device via USB into my Innuos Pulsar.  The Sense App for my streamer then detects my local files and so basically I'll then have music. 

dr-hooves wrote:

I am looking for a device other than a PC, that I can plug SD or MicroSD into, that I can also plug USB SSD into, that will catalogue the albums contained on those devices and then transmit them via UHD Bluetooth, LAN or USB to a speaker nest for example a JBL Authentics 500 that I own.

I humbly suggest WiiM Ultra. In my modest system, I use the Ultra as basic transport and streaming connected to my DACs via SPDIF or USB. USB SSD, SD, or MicroSD via USB hub. The Ultra is also connected to LAN. Finally Bluetooth data transfer is also available. As for catalogue, all my music are under subdirectories in my hard drive.

Perhaps, you should also look into Eversolo T8. I choose WiiM because I’m cheap.