Newbie to Music Streaming

[JMD]

If all you're going to do is stream from Tidal or Qobuz with the Node 2 then the supplied app is more than sufficient and Roon with it's associated extra gear and expense is not necessary.

[clpetersen]

Originally Posted by Clark2

The above limited goal is the part I'm potentially interested in. (I don't expect to transfer my large CD and vinyl collection to hard drives.) I did look at the site, but I must say it didn't explain much to me. Here's a specific question that you might be able to answer:

If I already have streaming hardware (e.g., the Bluesound Node 2, which I'm currently heading for), how might I use Rune to program music through it from Tidal and/or QoBuz? Or is this question ill-posed? -- Clark2

Clark2 - I don't run Roon, but have considered it. It is largely meant for those that do have have their music on a hard drive.

I would start with the Bluesound, use the free services, i.e Tune-in Radio and so forth - if that works then move to a subscription service of your choice. Go from there.

[Clark2]

Originally Posted by clpetersen

Clark2 - I don't run Roon, but have considered it. It is largely meant for those that do have have their music on a hard drive...

Thanks, All -- I was intrigued by the idea that something would keep feeding me selection in my genera with little intervention (like the favorite FM station that I can't quiet), but maybe Tidal and/or Qobuz can do that within their individual services. I will explore... -- Clark2

[Kal Rubinson]

Originally Posted by nicoff

Roon helps me find music from my library or streaming service (Tidal, Qobuz) to play via my music player.

Originally Posted by Clark2

The above limited goal is the part I'm potentially interested in. (I don't expect to transfer my large CD and vinyl collection to hard drives.)

If you are not going to transfer your library to hard drives, you do not need a BlueSound Node2 or Roon. Both Tidal and Qobuz have desktop applications which you can fully access via any computer such as the one you are now using. Easy way is to use a simple laptop connected to a carefully-selected but inexpensive DAC. Plug the DAC output into your music system or plug a pair of headphones into the DAC and that's it! You need BluSound or Roon or other hardware only if you are going to manage your local library.

[Clark2]

Originally Posted by Kal Rubinson

...Easy way is to use a simple laptop connected to a carefully-selected but inexpensive DAC...

!!!

I think you mentioned this before, but it hadn't occurred to me that your typical laptop (which of course has a crappy DAC) could output the digital stream to a free-standing DAC, nor that a satisfying DAC could be obtained for less than $300 (what I expect to pay for then Node 2, which is supposed to have a reasonable DAC).

For that matter, there is supposed to be a reasonable DAC inside my new amplifier (Yamaha A-S501) although incredibly they don't give any specs on it. Of course this setup also has to go in the living room, where the wife might not want a laptop sitting around whenever I listen to music... -- Clark2

[nicoff]

Sometime back I read of a business where you could send your CD collection. They would store your CDs and give you access to the digital files for each of your CDs. That's an option that avoids your having to rip your CDs.

Whatever the number of physical CDs, I am willing to bet that unless they are rare recordings, most of them are already available via music services in CD Quality (Tidal, Qobuz). That means that you will not have to spend time ripping them. That would leave a small number of discs for you to decide if you want to rip or not.

As Kal mentioned, using a laptop you can try out one of the music services and determine if streaming works for you.

In my experience, the convenience of having all your music available with just a few clicks wins out.

And by the way, the larger your music library collection (whether it is located in your hard drive or the cloud) the more important a music database management software becomes. That is where Roon shines above everything else.

[nicoff]

One more thought...
Your Yamaha receiver can play your music via Bluetooth.
You can download the Tidal or Qobuz app to a tablet or your mobile phone and play it wirelessly directly to the Yamaha.
That will give you he ability to decide if streaming is for you. Your cost would be zero assuming that you have a phone/tablet and use a trial period with Tidal or Qobutz. No laptop needed!

[Kal Rubinson]

Originally Posted by Clark2

Of course this setup also has to go in the living room, where the wife might not want a laptop sitting around whenever I listen to music... -- Clark2

Control it from a smart phone or tablet.

[Clark2]

Originally Posted by Kal Rubinson

Control it from a smart phone or tablet.

I'm missing something: Control what? The laptop that's sitting around in the living room connected to the DAC? (I have no problem controlling the Bluesound that way, but I thought we were eliminating that.)

BTW, to nicoff -- The Yamaha has only optical and coax digital inputs, no Bluetooth nor USB. -- Clark2

[nicoff]

Originally Posted by Clark2

....
BTW, to nicoff -- The Yamaha has only optical and coax digital inputs, no Bluetooth nor USB. -- Clark2

You are right... But according to the specs for your unit, you can stream via Bluetooth by adding an adapter. Here is what Yamaha says about your unit:

"Bluetooth[emoji2400]-ready with optional Yamaha YBA-11 adapter (not included)"