aspiring user - rookie questions for streaming on a Expert (non Pro)

[docvale]

Hi guys,

Thanks so much for taking the time to provide these explanations!
So, it seems that my dream to have a super essential setup is distant from reality. If I understood correctly, I indeed need a machine to be used as music server. What I was hoping for is to have something that works (at least, as far as I assume) as a Bluesound Node 2i: a device that, connected to the network, scans for music in HDDs and internet and is able to browse it. Instead, Roon or not, my understanding is that the streaming platform from the Devialet Expert (at least, the pre-CI generation) depends on a networked device.

The reason for me to be reluctant to use my own laptop as server is because I use it for all my non-business stuff, while I'd like something that also my wife (and my kids, in the near future) would be able to use regardless my use of the laptop. Also, I have Big Sur installed and, last night, I've learned that Air cannot be installed on Big Sur yet.

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Am I missing something?

Whatever music you stream must come via a server BUT it only needs to be YOUR server if you are streaming your own files. If you're streaming from a service like Tidal/Qobuz, the files are streamed from Tidal's or Qobuz' server and you don't need a server, you just need something that can talk to their server.

In practice a lot of server software (eg Roon and others) and a lot of server hardware which may or may not be able to run Roon software, can talk to some streaming services such as Tidal/Qoobuz/Spotify so it's easy to assume that you need to have a server yourself but there are "network streaming devices" which can talk to streaming services and which aren't servers. If you are only going to stream from a streaming service and  you don't want to maintain your own library of music files, you don't need a music server. Some of those devices can also provide a rudimentary interface to music stored on an attached USB drive or a drive attached to your network.

As I said, a primary question for you is whether you want to stream music from files on your own drives, whether you want to stream music from a streaming service, or whether you want to do both. If you only want to stream music from a streaming service such as Tidal or one of the other services, you don't need a server. You just need a device which can talk to the streaming service and, depending on the service or services you choose, that may require nothing more than an app on an iOS or Android device and having your Devialet connected to the same network that the iOS or Android device is connected to.

Many people want to stream at least some files of their own so they do need a server but if you can find all of the music you're interested in playing on a streaming service there is no need to have a server of your own because you're using the service's server. You just need a way of talking to that service and directing a stream from it to your Devialet. Much of the server software available lets you do both but you don't have to do both, you can choose to just use a streaming service, and if you make that choice then it is possible to do it without a server on your network. You just need a network streaming device which gives lets you input your account details for the streaming service and which also provides an interface for searching for and selecting music to play. There are devices available which just do that.

So, back to my big question which is where is your music going to come from, your own files, from a streaming service, or from a combination of both? That's the starting point for your decision making process.

Hi David,

Sorry, I somehow overlooked your question.
The short answer is a bit of both, the actual situation is a tad more complex though.

My favorite way to listen to music is spinning records. I love the medium and the ritual, and I've done it for ~20 years, with two systems in Italy and with one since I moved to the USA. After becoming a parent, though, my chances to do that became less and less frequent and, indeed, over the past 7 years I might have collected just few hours of record playing.
I know that the Devialet approach to vinyl playback is a kind of heretic, with a double AD/DA conversion: I also think, though, that the logics of the approach, in particular at its price point, can provide high performance and do definitely better than my current, cheap phono stage*.

Regarding digital, I have a music file collection in Apple lossless format that would be networked, as I previously described. I'd like my system to be the family system, so that also my wife could enjoy that without too much hassle (which, considering her talent with electronics, would mean touching an icon on her phone...). I would access the digital files for some focused listening (time permitting) or to have full albums in playback while doing other stuff.
But I would also like to access streaming services to explore new music (maybe to be purchased in vinyl, ultimately) or to just have a radio for very distracted background entertainment.
My goal would be having the most streamlined system, without jumping from app to app to get the desired source.

I decided to buy, from a friend who's upgrading his system, a BlueSound Node 2i, to be able to browse files and streaming services with a single, user-friendly app. 
I would connect the Node via SPDIF to a Devialet, assuming I ended up sealing a deal, or I would use it as a full functioning digital source upstream of a traditional amplifier.

Thanks,

Valerio

*= I am aware the Devialet's phono stage disappoints with low output MC due to hiss, but, for now I would use my current MM and, even in the context of an upgrade, I do not see myself going low output without a SUT.