Why would I want a server (or whatever the technical name is)?

Stu Pitt · « **on:** 27 Oct 2018, 05:42 pm »

I’ve been running an Apple TV gen 1 seemingly forever. I feed it to my Rega DAC via optical (the only digital output). All files are Apple Lossless and I store them on the ATV’s internal HD. I control it using my iPhone. It’s only got 160 gb of internal memory, so I synch my favorite stuff to it and stream the rest. I’ve got zero realistic complaints about sound quality.

It’s on it’s last leg IMO. The hard drive is making noise, the remote app sucks now because it gets more bugs with every update and I can’t go back to a previous version. Somehow I think the newest updates will fix it, but I keep regretting it more and more.

I’m looking into a Bluesound Node 2i. But I have to ask myself, why? Why wouldn’t I just connect my laptop to the USB input of my DAC? I can control iTunes with my iPhone using remote app. It’s better for my laptop than the ATV because the ATV 1 is no longer supported and probably why it’s so buggy.

Other than streaming services which I don’t use, and high res, of which I have less than a dozen titles and can get a USB to SPDF converter for like the Schiit Eitr, what’s the point? Am I missing something?

I’m genuinely interested in the Node 2i. But with the cash in hand and looking at it in the store, I asked myself why and came here to see if anyone had anything to say that helps me realize why I actually need it. I want to buy it, but the cheap side of my personality is winning out currently

For what it’s worth, I plan on connecting my dedicated music hard drive directly to the Node. And I don’t have any wireless speakers to direct sound to. Maybe when I’ve got a bigger house and it’ll makes sense to do so, but not right now.

Jon L · « **Reply #1 on:** 27 Oct 2018, 06:16 pm »

I think you answered your own questions in your post

Then again, being audiophile, you (and many others) probably will end up buying the Node 2i at some point in future out of pure burning curiosity and "what-if-itis," so I vote that you buy it ASAP and not waste time

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #2 on:** 27 Oct 2018, 06:29 pm »

If you need a large processing capability to process various bussiness tasks from a company you need a server, for home audio you need just large storage HD to store music files if you dont use streaming.

Stu Pitt · « **Reply #3 on:** 27 Oct 2018, 07:09 pm »

Quote from: FullRangeMan on 27 Oct 2018, 06:29 pm

If you need a large processing capability to process various bussiness tasks from a company you need a server, for home audio you need just large storage HD to store music files if you dont use streaming.

Thank you for that. I’m talking about the piece of equipment that takes commands and sends the stuff stored on my hard drive to my DAC.

Stu Pitt · « **Reply #4 on:** 27 Oct 2018, 07:14 pm »

Quote from: Jon L on 27 Oct 2018, 06:16 pm

I think you answered your own questions in your post

Then again, being audiophile, you (and many others) probably will end up buying the Node 2i at some point in future out of pure burning curiosity and "what-if-itis," so I vote that you buy it ASAP and not waste time

Great post. I was who you speak of about 8 years ago. My first daughter being born changed my financial priorities.

I’m pretty sure I’m going to connect the laptop and be done with it. I’ll probably lose a few nights sleep, but the $500 + tax will still be in my wallet, comfortingly me through it

But if anyone has a genuine suggestion why I should get one, other than because it looks cooler than a Node 2i for my specific application, I’m genuinely interested. The only music service I use is SiriusXM, which there’s no support for on any of these I’ve looked into, so I’d still have to get up and do that through the laptop anyway.

And not just the Node 2i, but any other streamer or whatever they’re technically called (I was eloquently informed about the term server).

Phil A · « **Reply #5 on:** 27 Oct 2018, 07:22 pm »

The Bluesound will work with a computer source. If one wants something that will work from a hard drive attached, there's stuff like https://www.elac.com/product/elac-discovery-music-server/?r=us

Do you have a DAC already? The Bluesound can play files up to 192kHz (no DSD). Naturally it depends on one's budget as well (and also shelf room in the room with the system. One can buy a small Windows fanless PC for under $200, a couple of hard drives, etc., if they have a DAC already.

Stu Pitt · « **Reply #6 on:** 27 Oct 2018, 07:59 pm »

Quote from: Phil A on 27 Oct 2018, 07:22 pm

The Bluesound will work with a computer source. If one wants something that will work from a hard drive attached, there's stuff like https://www.elac.com/product/elac-discovery-music-server/?r=us

Do you have a DAC already? The Bluesound can play files up to 192kHz (no DSD). Naturally it depends on one's budget as well (and also shelf room in the room with the system. One can buy a small Windows fanless PC for under $200, a couple of hard drives, etc., if they have a DAC already.

The Node 2i will work with a hard drive. I have a Rega DAC.

I don’t want to do wireless music for the main reason that my wireless sucks. Netflix and the like have issues with buffering every now and then. Not often, but often enough. The more wireless stuff I add, the worse it becomes. I could beef up the wireless, but now we’re going to a rabbit hole of other stuff too. Hard drive directly attached just works, plain and simple.

Also, I notice a sonic difference between music that’s on my ATV’s hard drive and the music that’s streaming to it wirelessly. The streamed stuff just sounds dull. Nothing technically different. I noticed it by accident; I was listening to some stuff I’ve heard in my system a million times and was just wondering why it sounded so dull all of a sudden. A little while later I figured it out. I highly doubt the current machines do this, as my ATV is ancient in relation to this stuff. It served me quite well the last 10 years or so that I’ve owned it, but it’s only a matter of time before it’s no longer usable.

I just want simple and straight forward. The Node 2i seems to fit the bill without breaking the bank. But why spend it if I’ve got a laptop that’ll do the same thing? I guess that’s my real question. If someone can tell me the Node 2i is better because of X*, I’m honestly sold.

*X other than it’s prettier, higher audiophile street cred, etc. I just want something that works, sounds great and doesn’t break the bank. If I want to go through a whole ritual to listen to music, I’ll fire up the turntable. That gives me my fill stuff like that. A while back I thought the Wadia iTransport was the way to go - iPod docked to it, digital output to my DAC. I returned that thing pretty fast. I constantly had to undock and redock my iPod, the controls sucked, etc. Maybe I’m too hard to please with this stuff, but I don’t think that stuff that just works right is too much to ask, is it?

Phil A · « **Reply #7 on:** 27 Oct 2018, 08:08 pm »

Quote from: Stu Pitt on 27 Oct 2018, 07:59 pm

The Node 2i will work with a hard drive. I have a Rega DAC.

I just want simple and straight forward. The Node 2i seems to fit the bill without breaking the bank. But why spend it if I’ve got a laptop that’ll do the same thing? I guess that’s my real question. If someone can tell me the Node 2i is better because of X*, I’m honestly sold.

A laptop can work but of course has lots of things in it (e.g. screen) and other things that might not be as good at filtering out interference or sound as good as something designed for audio or look as nice. This may give some additional details - https://www.sonore.us/microRendu.html Also if all you are looking for is an ethernet to USB connection (to a DAC), something like that could work too.

skunark · « **Reply #8 on:** 28 Oct 2018, 02:31 am »

Cassettes -> CDs -> CDs ripped MP3s -> CDs ripped to lossless (flac) / highres -> lossless streaming (deezer, tidal, qobuz)

This has been my progression over the years, I have vinyl but not something I actively play. I feel a little forced into streaming now that a lot of music arrives on CD/Vinyl months later.

I have a Synology NAS feeding several devices and a Bryston BDP for my main system, but i find myself using streaming more and more and now focused on finding a high quality setup that will work with deezer or qobuz but not require a computer.

“Lossless/HiRez” Streaming will end up being significantly cheaper and ignoring the occasional network connection issues, probably slow down on buying CDs and vinyl. I will probably transition 100% once a good open source solution is available on linux. I feel like its coming

geowak · « **Reply #9 on:** 28 Oct 2018, 02:14 pm »

I have had a Bluesound Node 2 for awhile now. I have configured it a number of ways, but I have found the most difficult is using the straight usb input.
https://support1.bluesound.com/hc/en-us/articles/201158077-How-USB-Storage-Differs-From-A-Local-Library?mobile_site=true
The best way to access music is via router or NAS. I know the usb works but I have not had luck with it.... yet.
Maybe you would want to keep your current setup, but I guess my question would be one that many ask, “do have a device in place that reduces jitter or do you need one?”
If so, maybe this
https://www.stereophile.com/content/audioquest-jitterbug-usb-noise-filter

bluemeanies · « **Reply #10 on:** 28 Oct 2018, 10:24 pm »

Why go through all the trouble of ripping CDs? I use to do that but almost 10years ago but as technology changes day to day there are many options out there to reduce your anxiety.
I purchased a MacMini with a Samsung monitor for $532.00. Purchssed a HDMI cable from BJC and subscribed to TIDAL. Infinite amount of media storage with no hassle. I also downloaded AIRSERVER at a one time fee of $15.00 to stream. My Mac mini is connected to a Audionote 4.1 dac with a Audioquest mini USB cable.

Well worth the investment.
Things don't have to be complicated.

Stu Pitt · « **Reply #11 on:** 29 Oct 2018, 01:05 am »

Quote from: bluemeanies on 28 Oct 2018, 10:24 pm

Why go through all the trouble of ripping CDs? I use to do that but almost 10years ago but as technology changes day to day there are many options out there to reduce your anxiety.
I purchased a MacMini with a Samsung monitor for $532.00. Purchssed a HDMI cable from BJC and subscribed to TIDAL. Infinite amount of media storage with no hassle. I also downloaded AIRSERVER at a one time fee of $15.00 to stream. My Mac mini is connected to a Audionote 4.1 dac with a Audioquest mini USB cable.

Well worth the investment.
Things don't have to be complicated.

Everything’s been ripped in Apple Lossless since my first iPod, circa 2006. I’ll rip new ones as I get them, and it’s not a hassle in any way.

I hooked up my laptop today, running iTunes from my USB through my Rega DAC. No special software, no special USB cable. Just my laptop into my DAC. Sounded great. I downloaded the iTunes remote app but haven’t had a chance to connect to my library yet.

My room and speaker placement aren’t ideal to squeeze every last drop out of my music. Having kids put an end to my listening room. Hopefully one day I’ll get room back.

rollo · « **Reply #12 on:** 29 Oct 2018, 02:57 pm »

The main reason is sound quality. If server has SS drive and linear power supply does DSD in direct comparison to a laptop you then know why.

charles

mix4fix · « **Reply #13 on:** 29 Oct 2018, 05:47 pm »

My turntable will never crash. My storage unit will never delete my music.

Bob2 · « **Reply #14 on:** 29 Oct 2018, 06:04 pm »

Quote from: mix4fix on 29 Oct 2018, 05:47 pm

My turntable will never crash. My storage unit will never delete my music.

+1

rollo · « **Reply #15 on:** 29 Oct 2018, 07:33 pm »

My TT does not crash either however the server is not compressed and quite frankly equals the TT setup. BTW using a Kuzma Stobi S with 12' Stogi adj. VTA arm. cart is Micro Benz. Server is Innuos Zenith mk3.
However I'm not comparing TT to CD. I am comparing laptop vs. Server. If I was the biggest issue for me was compression of digital sound. The second was 3D imaging. Today those artifacts are a thing of the past with proper digital gear. Maybe not 100% equal but a very close call these days.

charles

gefski · « **Reply #16 on:** 29 Oct 2018, 08:38 pm »

Given the $ I squandered in the last few years trying to "fix" USB file delivery (decrapifiers, expensive outboard USB solutions, etc.) I probably should have just invested in a server. But 2 yrs ago I tried Dante Ethernet file delivery (from my iMac) and have been smiling ever since. Pristine, blackness, true timbre, air, real instruments in space, no edge, graceful dynamic flow.

And the Audirvana Tidal app is terrific. Though quality varies hugely by title, the Tidal streamed Redbook files give me a wealth of music with quality that's often shockingly close to rips.

Stu Pitt · « **Reply #17 on:** 30 Oct 2018, 04:54 pm »

Quote from: mix4fix on 29 Oct 2018, 05:47 pm

My turntable will never crash. My storage unit will never delete my music.

I would say +1, but things do break every now and then. So +.5?

mix4fix · « **Reply #18 on:** 30 Oct 2018, 05:26 pm »

Quote from: Stu Pitt on 30 Oct 2018, 04:54 pm

I would say +1, but things do break every now and then. So +.5?

I made the mistake of giving away an old cheap style Pioneer rack stereo that was handed down (cabinet with broken wheels, flakey turntable, timer, tuner, semi-staticy integrated, broken tape deck, flashy sound processor). You would have to hit the speed button a few times top get it to the speed correctly but it still worked. So, you have something from late 70s/early 80s that wasn't top of the line and it still worked.

Everything breaks, but for the sake of argument, it get's a "1".

Jon L · « **Reply #19 on:** 7 Nov 2018, 05:03 pm »

Quote from: gefski on 29 Oct 2018, 08:38 pm

But 2 yrs ago I tried Dante Ethernet file delivery (from my iMac) and have been smiling ever since. Pristine, blackness, true timbre, air, real instruments in space, no edge, graceful dynamic flow.

Looking up Dante, it's very difficult to figure out EXACTLY what is needed to get music playing, e.g. specific software and hardware needed.
What software and hardware are you using with your iMac and how is music file delivered to ?outboard DAC?