BACK TO BASICS Part 1: Music streaming

[@DarkoAudio]

Got a question? Please ask it in a way such that anyone might answer.

[@prnavas]

I think everybody is about to ask the same and you are the only one answering. What's the deal with that cap? heheheheheh just joking. Great video, looking forward for the next chapter. Really interesting as always.

[@marknolen7878]

Great info. An iso project is to rip all cds to roon server using a Mac Mini. Any tips on software, format and size. Am thinking non compressed

[@richardthorpe3781]

John Darko could you explain “gapless” and why you dislike “gapped” aren’t there gaps between songs there was on records I used to play. Pleas explain. Thank you.

[@SebastianGomezIto]

John Darko if I’m streaming Tidal to my Sonos Port what gives the best quality; directly use Tidal from the Sonos app? Airplay?

[@matrixplace]

Hi Darko, do you get Roon license if you buy Roon Nucleus?

[@simonjgriffiths]

Just a small point, streams are never “pushed” by servers, they are always “pulled” by clients such as phones or Spotify connect enabled devices. This is necessary for all sorts of network and security reasons. For Spotify connect, your phone talks to the local device which then makes the request directly to the server. UPnP works similarly... players request streams from servers.

[@kevinf9822]

This is a great overview of streaming. Perfect for someone, like me, who is an old audiophile somewhat mystified by all of this new digital stuff. I think I (mostly) understand now. Thanks

[@TheOttacat]

Great start, I'd like to see an explanation of the quality of all these streaming options.

[@syanhc]

Streaming has changed a lot since this video. I’d appreciate part 3 on changes to streaming in 2022.

[@arthursimsa9005]

Has it? In what ways?

[@marcusaurelius2988]

What do you mean changed a lot ? basically you have wifi and bluetooth aptX HD. It is all based on these. lol

[@shamasis.bhattacharya]

Slightly different representation would be more accurate: All casting protocols tell the streamer to “fetch” from the cloud by passing the “stream location” (usually a URL) from phone to the streamer. It is not the phone telling cloud server to “send” to the streamer.

[@TPQ1235]

I always watch your videos as soon as I see them posted, I enjoy them, and I always come away with something. Thanks.

[@andydavies27]

Nice explanation of Airplay/Chromecast/Spotify connect. Not sure why Google have decommissioned the Chromecast audio - if you have already invested in quality speakers it is a good companion for getting your streams played easily.

[@adamhindle9215]

Excellent summary John. As a newbie to streaming, the issues of 'yeah but where is the music'? and 'how can I control it'? are the two key questions. The interface between the listener and the source of the stream/stored music is at the heart of this, and is central to online sales/streaming, music listening and hifi hardware purchasing for the foreseeable future.

[@markphilpot4981]

John, no problem understanding your explanation. Good idea laying it out. Not everyone is a streamer, but you make it clearer than others who aren’t as well spoken. Good job John! Stay safe to you and your crew!

[@simonfoote6453]

Thabks John I'm liking the direction this is moving in. I'm very much at the beginning of getting into audio and I like a lot of your videos but still have gaps in my understanding. Keep it up, I'll be here for what comes next.

[@felirick]

I really appreciate how thorough your videos are. Your videos are very transparent and musical....

[@dennismiller5725]

Its easier for me to understand a diagram, like iphone to ? via? Internet cable, wifi, etc , as this gets more complicated then diagrams make more sense to me, thanks (just a suggestion)

[@ayellowbeard]

Apparently someone attempted to cut his own hair!

[@DarkoAudio]

Yep.

[@stevep2111]

@@DarkoAudio That was the first thing i thought too lol Also what a great idea when my Mrs has a go at mine!!

[@jimomertz]

Lol 🙈

[@shahidyt]

August Yellowbeard I was thinking the same. I’m going for the shipwrecked on a desert island without a razor blade look during the lockdown. I was halfway there pre-lockdown anyway!

[@carlwinslow4175]

The trucker look may take some getting used to... ; )

[@alonzosmith6189]

Thank you, learn something new everyday. My goal is to build a home music system.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Thanks, I'm just starting with streaming so this really helps!

[@DarkoAudio]

Steve! If you've any questions about streaming, hit me up via email. Happy to help.

[@greenbeginner3353]

@@DarkoAudio I’m just trying to get into streaming. Your video totally lost me. Where can I get a 101 explanation; like speaking to someone who’s only played vinyl?

[@braintoosmall]

I love my Roon Nucleus for a lot of different reasons including the fact that you can use your DAC of choice with it. Thanks for the good info John.

[@matrixplace]

Do you get Roon license when you buy Nucleus?

[@jaybaldwin5376]

Just wanted someone to explain that to me. You just do that so well. Same with the video about DAC's. Just what was required. Thankyou. I await the following videos.. 👍

[@darensweeney5925]

This is the clearest explanation -- by far -- of the different types of streaming I've ever heard. "You turn off the phone, and the music stops." Perfect!

[@callummartin7457]

Would be interested to see this tied into your videos on the Raspberry Pi. A full “how to” guide for buying and setting up a Pi as a wifi music streamer for Spotify Connect would also be really useful.

[@shaunrobins2171]

Thanks John for this video.I am slowly beginning to see the light at the end of the wormhole

[@happyg1962]

Thanks John for your Videos you have made lock down so much better since I found your channel you explain things so much better than almost all other Audio videos. Questions i've got a few but one to start I listen to TV as the Spotify, You tube etc source is that equal to other sources like streamers or phone, PC or does it depend on the TV? Thanks

[@hmm2928]

I connect my iems to my fiio btr5 and either use bt or usb mode (in wired) Sorry if I am not so advanced 😅 Btw that was a very informative video and explanation was very good. Stay safe :)

[@evi1yoda]

Loved seeing the Huckaby track at the beginning! RIP. Love from Detroit.

[@ochome1990]

That was very helpful introducing each slightly different streaming systems. Thanks!

[@VirtualGuth]

Hello John, after more than forty years of enjoying music playback through a variety of dedicated 2-channel systems, decades ago I had settled on the old-school peripherals of tuners, turntables and CD players. Now in 2020 I have finally decided to take the plunge into the modern era of digital audio. In the past I have had a decent understanding of what areas I might be willing to make compromises (example: integrated amplifier vs separate preamp and amplifier) and others where I was not so keen to do so (separate external phono preamp vs built-in phono preamp). The specifics in these cases do not matter, so much as that I was able to figure out where I felt my money was best spent for the gains in performance I was after. I will be watching your Back To Basics series of videos with some interest as I am hoping that I might walk away with a similar understanding when it comes to the modern digital realm of audio. Over the course of years I have ended up with a couple thousand CDs and a great CD Player that I truly enjoy, but that is aging. So I would like to figure out my best path forward sooner rather than later. Am I always to assume that bits are not "just bits" when it comes to things like streamers or dacs or whatever? Where might my money (which is not unlimited) best be spent in terms of of functionality (i.e. streaming, ripping, storing, serving, digital to analog conversion, etc.). Which of these areas stand to provide the best bang for the buck or reveal the most potential for overall improvement. Likewise, when does it make sense to combine these things together physically (for instance, using an all-in-one streamer/ripper/server) as opposed to separating them and making use of a Mac/PC for some portion of the task at hand? At any rate, so far so good. It seems that avoiding gapless playback through streaming is lesson one, although you might have explained why exactly you feel this way. When making similar points going forward I hope that you might expand on such strong feelings in a bit more detail. In the meantime, I've subscribed and plan to watch, listen & (hopefully) learn. Thanks!

[@cablebrain9691]

Oh, is THAT all you want to know? Haha....join the club! ; ) P.S.- I'm currently in paralysis by analysis mode.

[@matrixplace]

I see many people don't understand what gapless playback means. First, it is gapless only if it should be. If you listen an album, or random tracks, there still be gaps between the tracks, so don't worry!.The gapless playback comes only when you play mixed albums/compilations/DJ sets, radio shows and similar. DJ mixes uploaded on Soundcloud or Mixcloud are just one big music file, so it always will be gapless, but when you buy physical album that contains a mixed compilation, or stream it from services like Spotify, Tidal etc..., it is chopped to the different tracks, so you can have a metadata and navigate easier. But if the software doesn't support gapless playbay, all the magic from the continues mix will be lost. I mainly listen to electronic music, have huge physical and digital collection of music, and will never, NEVER buy a streamer or player that doesn't support gapless payback.

[@Chapterrifik]

Awesome video as always, one thing I got to say is I love that little puk.

[@stephanej.871]

Music streaming ... a great way to discover or rediscover Kraftwerk... Florian Schneider, one of the cofounder just passed away. As you live in Germany, I took the liberty to evoke a band so ahead of his time ...

[@Thiago_TS_BR]

Streaming is a very important issue. Good background, hope to listen about the quality of the diferent devices. Now I'm using my play station as a streaming of spotfy via optic output to a dac + amp from Cambrige.

[@bassandtrebleclef]

Like many, I have a Rube Goldberg machine-like set up to stream music. I've got the Chromecast Audio to stream Spotify and I've got an Apple TV to stream music resident on my iphone or mac. Both are run through a MyDAC (Apple TV's music route looks like a scene out of Tron). Sure would be nice to have a simple, one box solution instead of all the switching, but I guess that's what Roon is for. I think.

[@JuanPabloOyarzunArroyo]

Hey John Darko! the CCA does gapless by roon and is amazing. I have a kind of expensive system, and meanwhile my analog chain is in the thousands order of cost, the CCA compares quite well using roon to it. Such a bummer that it went discontinued. BTW, lovely video!

[@richardherbert3519]

Hi again, I have just watched your 3 basic videos backwards 2,3,1.and found them all very interesting. I now understand streaming a lot more. Thanks very much Regards Richard Herbert

[@byronb.]

(Comments surpressed, but) Good basics video. I didn't realize how important gapless playback is to some people. But it makes sense to preserve the art as the artist(s) intended. Great way of explaining the phone being a remote vs being the source. Looking forward to the series. 👍

[@jocarranza]

Google Chromecast Audio does play gapless. I use Play Music though, but I also stream FLAC files from my phone using the HiFi Cast app and I can play gapless up to 24/96

[@benpit2762]

Great video as always! I always stream music via Roon Nucleus and the experience has been great although we’ve had some syncing issues with Roon and Tidal, seems this issue has now been resolved with the updated firmware 😊

[@jameselliott8533]

Thank you for the video tutorial. Very helpful as I am tryin to understand Roon and the myriad of other streaming services and delivery protocol options like Airplay, Upnp, etc. Ultimately I want the best quality sound, as does everyone, and with so many options it can be confusing. All my digital music is on iTunes. I miss the days of just CD, tape, and vinyl. Less choices made it less complicated. Great vid as always Jim, Portland, Oregon

[@dandevvers]

I was never sure if Spotify Connect was gapless on Streamers. I let Chromecast off because it’s a cheap “means to an end” but it would’ve been a definite no-no for me if dedicated Streamers weren’t gapless. 👍🏼

[@boblinscott6052]

Thanks for all your videos, BIG Help !! I’m a beginner with the streaming end & an Old 2 channel stereo that has moved to a 5.1 . There’s a pair of Klipsch on the patio for neighbors entertainment is it possible to connect a blue tooth to receiver in basement so ppl could connect there phones/music to enjoy everyone’s choices ? Stereo is 115’ from basement to fire pit .

[@michaelrose4792]

Great video. There are so many ways and means of streaming depending on your setup and preference, and a lot of minor annoyances (like gaps between songs!) that folks wouldn’t even consider before spending $$$. Looking forward to the more of these sorts of videos :)

[@antonioalvarez5253]

Just point out that Jriver on PC as UPNP Server and Volumio as UPNP renderer supports gapless playback and sounds fantastic!

[@a9503128]

Ummm nearly right on the description but the clue is in the name chromeCAST.. The DIAL Service Discovery enables a client to discover DIAL Server (Chromecast) on its local network, and obtain access to those services. This is achieved by using a new search target within the SSDP defined by uPNP, although uPlugAndPray is not required IF you spend a moment to plan what you’re connecting to your network

[@brunonjezic6208]

Great video. Im still a bit confused what roon exacly is so i need to get back to you roon video. But im reallly grateful for basic videos as a person that is getting in to hi-fi game.

[@vinylsurfer2155]

I'm an old school stereo buff that enjoys my cd's and LP's and have mulled over various streaming services. But after watching your video for the 3rd time I'm going to take a couple of aspirin and revisit this video in a couple of days.😖

[@Hickalum]

vinyl surfer ; me too. What is a streamer?

[@vinylsurfer2155]

@@Hickalum 😂👍

[@mikem4214]

Hopefully this will be addressed in a related video..... My older/dedicated iPad pulls Spotify from our network wirelessly and feeds it via lightning cable to my modest Schiit DAC. I'm on a limited budget and am wondering how my next upgrade options compare... Insert a streamer connected via network cable in place of the wirelessly connected iPad, and use either the existing DAC or onboard DAC (i.e Bluesound Node 2i), OR Retain the iPad but insert a 'better sounding' DAC (like Denafrips)

[@NotedArchived]

Streaming that Sakamoto. Nice! Great video. Informative and entertaining all at once. Cheers!

[@immm2m]

John. Take a look at the Nvidia Shield & Android TV os. It has support for USB High Definition Stereo 24/192. Has all the audio apps possible. Cast functionality and UPNP. As well with Android Developer mode you can disable HDMI and run it like a cast device without TV on.

[@rotaks1]

Thanks so much! I use Roon and BluOS apps. I learnt at lot from this episode. Keep them coming please.

[@freakent]

Is the Roon app really that much better than the Bluos app to justify that sort of expense?

[@briantooze3415]

It's not necessary the hardware that confuses me but the software. If you have multiple sources how do you select one and how do you chose the device to send it to? Also the jargon e.g. what is a renderer etc. Perhaps a step by step guide would help. Perhaps using a Raspberry Pi. This back to basics is very helpful.

[@ChenOs]

Crossfade to deal with gap maybe? I actually have Roon connected to a CCA and I think it isn't gapless so I've added a 1 second Crossfade.

[@spagbowlsparmacheese629]

Streaming has given us great convenience at the dispense of Real Quality Audio (not compressed garbage) and the death of albums. Probably a coincidence why Vinyl has risen, again, we want to hold, own and experience our music.

[@ronaldvangulden7314]

My first experience with streaming was by using the Logitech Squeezebox wich was developed by Slim Devices. This thing was perfect with easy installation and easy opperation supporting aac en flac all with gapless playback. When it broke I started looking around for something new but all new gear had limitations or costed an insane amount of money(and still had limitations in some ways). I just couldn't find something I understood how to work easely or that I thrusted to give me problem free opperation like the Squeezebox did for many many years. I then bought a Chromecast Audio wich sadly doesn't do gapless when connected digitaly to my dac but it does do Spotify pretty good and could also be used to stream music from my laptop. No I've gone back to just playing the cd for the best gapless performance and basicly have given up on streaming as a solution to play all my ripped cd's. Just not worth the hassle to me, I wanna play and enjoy music, not mess about with personal computers, servers and streamers. At 47 I already feel I'm to old for this crap, where one things works on one computer and, allthough I install everything the same, not on another or that after an update everything stops working like it used to. Thank god for Android phones and tablets or else I would be completely lost.

[@TorToroPorco]

Good video, at the very least for reminding me that I’ve got to look for my caps as well.

[@roscopeco2000]

Big fan of your channel, I struggled understanding the tech lingo in this one. I will see if you have previous vid explain TOS link, upnp etc

[@macraemorse]

Chromecast is not a bad low cost solution but I find that overtime things get out of synch and that I often need to stop the casting on the Google Home app and then restart the stream again on the controlling app. I also occasionally have problems with not just the lack of gapless but little sound disturbances between songs (pops, cracks, etc). I have been using the mini-toslink and not the DAC in the Chromecast. BTW, Deezer supports Chromecast now as well.

[@Skipow10]

I'm confused why tv's aren't mentioned more on this subject. Using an optical cable from TV to an integrated amp. Would this method be any less in quality than buying a streamer?

[@Botankh2]

Your TV's dac is subpar

[@stphnchnr]

Assuming you are comparing gapless systems, and all audio equipment is the same, will the device receiving the streaming signal influence the quality of the sound? Or is a signal, a signal and the only true differentiator will be the audio equipment and not the system receiving the streaming signal? I am wondering if receiving a streaming signal through my pc is influencing the final audio product.

[@Sampardhanani]

Wow a good change . Theory time 😲. Will want to see more for sure.

[@pearldiver7]

Still trying to understand the streaming process. Could you include in a future video a discussion on how the Powernode 2i handles its streaming process, specifically with Roon and Tidal. I know you recently did a video on the powernode, but I'm still a bit confused. Thanks much. I Enjoy your videos.

[@PatrickSmith-zg9xl]

Great Video John..as always. I just don't get the dis-like for non-Gap-Less playback. I don't understand how that little blank spot between tracks bothers people. If you listen to a record, (tape), or CD you will get that same gap. It is really how the music is created and has been listened to for years. Also the gap is annoying, but you have mentioned several times you don't mind Spotify music. To me there is a very big difference between the quality of music from Spotify HD and something like Amazon HD (or Tidal, or Qobuz, etc).

[@izoyt]

As someone who recently add wifi streamer to his vintage hifi, i would say this: get one which also have bluetooth option, too. It's nice to have streaming options from your nas, web based services and all that, but to be honest, i found them little bit clumsy , expensive and many (the most famous ones) not working in my region, what's up with that anyway?. In the end, i would like like to have streamer for my audio files, maybe internet radio streamer (this is what my streamer have) and direct audio link by bluetooth (5.1, which is good enough even for hifi audience) so you can play whatever you want directly from your phone or tablet without stupid app interface etc. So, now i'm debating between adding bluetooth audio adapter, so i have both options (bluetooth+wifi) or just bluetooth alone and sell wifi adapter.

[@clemleg123]

Great video but you might have missed mentioning the likes of sonos or bluesound which are streamers you can control from your phone without needing a chromecast or UPnP but rather a dedicated app. I happen to have a bluesound node 2 and I am extremely happy with it

[@DarkoAudio]

That's coming in next video.

[@freakent]

I am love my Bluesound Node 2i but I am a bit uderwhelmed with how it connects to my Synology NAS. There are all these fantastic music streaming protocols but it uses the ancient windows file sharing SMB protocol.

[@buckethead84]

Could you please discuss in your next video a streaming device that's roon ready works on WiFi, is still in production and easy to use? This streaming stuff is a headache.

[@paulroscelli2545]

So I’ve been intrigued by your interest in USB to spidf converters. So here’s my hopefully simple question: currently I’m running an Innous Mk III (ripped and hi res)into a Hegel 590 unit Using a USB connection. Would I benefit by placing one of these converters in between, given the type of DAC I have in the Hegel and the use of the innous? And if so which one do people suggest I might try? Thank you very much

[@lukeatkins9137]

Keep this stuff coming for sure. Very informative

[@marcgabor9690]

I think i'm more confused than i was before. Spotify has a great UI, is on my phone and on my computer and has all my playlists. What's the best way to listen to Spotify on my home stereo?

[@UltimateGattai]

Run a HDMI cable or some RCAs depending on the connectors would be my guess, I use HDMI for my AV receiver when I want to output music like spotify.

[@somegeek7126]

Very interesting (as always). I am very curious to see where you want to go with that discussion.

[@michaelreading9296]

Just what I wanted, about to dip my toes into streaming. Happy to hear your going to make more vids for the uninitiated, thanks for the advice. Stay safe and keep up the good work John

[@michaelfitzgerald8835]

Baseball cap! Who are you and what have you done with John Darko?..... Look forward to the more complex reveal but good groundwork.

[@sebastiangomezbotero7765]

Cap to basics! Looking forward for the next ones

[@jlmain5777]

Thanks for this. So do you need the Roon server to stream or can you stream only using the Aries and your computer set up? I’m thinking you need the Roon server for Roon. Sorry I’m a complete novice, but very interested in a set up that isn’t too costly.

[@RichardDurishin]

Great video. I think that, at some point, you'll need to create a table or graphic of what streams to what and through what, then to where... And what's the issue w/gapless? Albums aren't gapless...or am I showing my age?

[@stephenduffy1881]

Hey John great video, might be worth mentioning the new Bluetooth protocols as well. By the way who swithces off their cell phone?

[@BoudewijnVanderhaeghe]

That's right, but imagine when you turn on some music for the family and you leave the house for some shopping...

[@neighborino]

Or you get a phone call.

[@Tomas-Odebrant]

If I stream from Tidal on my iPhone and then redirect the sound to an airplay device, such as a Yamaha receiver, and turn the phone off with the side button ("Soft turn off") the music continues to play. It does not turn off as you say. I can still control the volume on the left side buttons on the phone and on the crown on my Apple Watch, although the phone is turned off. If I instead turn the phone off completely by a long press on the side button and the complete the turn off with the slide button on the screen ("Hard turn off"), then the music stops. Is that what you meant? I guess very few people turn off their phone in that complete way very often.

[@omarm529]

thank you John , basic question but it kinda important .. i use an integrated amp with good Dac chip ( sprout100) if i want adding streamer like bluesound 2i feeding the amp an analog signal so the amp will do the amplification (Only) to the signal without using the dac that build in the sprout100 , So in this case iam using the dac of the streamer , the QUESTION is it better using system with streamer build in like bluesound Powernode 2I to benifit of matching the dac , amp, and streamer or feed the integrated amp from spirit streamer

[@martinsweeney9976]

Hi John loving your work. I have a Cambridge Audio cxn 2 streamer with CXA81 amp the cxn 2 streamer is a Roon point. I have a iPhone 11 I Thought I would use it as a remote but do I need a laptop IE my surface pro 4 as a Roon point staying on all the time to make it happen. The only thing i regret is not buying the naim atom cause you can buy it it’s over 2k but has mqa straight from my iPhone. So if I buy Roon for a year does that mean I can stream wirelessly from my laptop 24 bit. Tidal which I love hate plugging it in which works. Thx Martin

[@johnhowardnardine6815]

What I'm most interested in is a streamer that has built-in caching in addition to being able to connect to cloud servers like Tidal. I'm particularly interested in something like the Aurender line. So, I hope you'll include an overview of this kind of storage + streaming device.

[@MrMrpony]

I am confused.... I have several chromecast audios.. I find them a bit shonky with reliability and sometimes losing the stream or stuttering but I have never heard any gaps between tracks 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@Gadgetdad007]

What do you think about Yamaha’s WXC-50 Pre amp network streamer ?

[@mosheserogovich4411]

Hi John, I see the Klipsch 600s are back. Did you buy them eventually? I remember you were considering buying them when you reviewed them. I am considering as well. So did you go for it in the end?

[@Chris-nd5se]

Thanks for video John. I have learnt something. UPnP and Bubble UPnP were a mystery to me !

[@flohmann]

On the gapless issue, what puzzles me is that Chromecast Audio is gapless when the stream comes via Roon (just checked this on my system with some Kruder & Dorfmeister), but not when the stream comes via Spotify Connect. What's Roon figured out that is eluding other apps?

[@TheVoicefrombelow]

Hi Darko. I'm wondering what you think of Plex as a potential competitor to Roon. It's a lot cheaper, and seems to do much of the same stuff, including gapless. I'm sure it's not as good as Roon, but maybe it's a suitable alternative for those with tighter pockets and who also use it for video playback?

[@DrinkWater713]

KZbin is underrated as a listening platform. The sound quality kinda sucks, but you can find really rare albums and the album recomendation algorithm is by far and away the best.

[@patricedecourcy4505]

Very informative video, thanks. However, I'd like to know what gapless means (Sorry, I'm new to streaming music, I use CDs).

[@peterthomas9423]

Gapless playback is simply a method where a dj set or a live recording doesnt have spaces with no sound inbetween tracks. It flows from one song to another as if the whole thing was one track. Its annoying when a recording is cut up into chunks when it wasnt recorded like a studio album is.

[@amazoidal]

Hard to find reasonably-priced Roon-Ready streamer and DAC that has MQA and DSD. Luckily, Pro-Ject has both covered for about $1250.

[@jsteer]

Stanny1 that’s expensive. Have you considered a Raspberry Pi with Roon Pi and a Ifi Zen DAC? Would get you covered with DSD/MQA. I don’t do hi-res though, recently tested switching the bitrate on Qobuz and couldn’t hear any difference.

[@bikesbeersbeats]

I have the Pro-Ject and overall its been great . I just wish I didnt have to go to the internal Volumio web app to switch sources between Roon or Spotify. The Spotify integration from Volumio that Pro-ject bundle with the dac just plain sucks.

[@BlownMacTruck]

Raspberry Pi4: $35. Pick any DAC you want and now you have a system that’s far more flexible than any off the shelf product.

[@krzysztofmmichaluk]

Just love watching You, thanks for Your work!

[@bastian9591]

Hi John, speaking of streamers: Which power cord do you enjoy with the Node 2i? I am thinking of the Nordost Purple Flare or something from AUdioquest, but not quite sure what to expect. Thanks!

[@louiesipes2257]

John, love your videos. Question, what are the Stainless steel with rubber weights I see you using?

[@donnowak4304]

I would love your take on the Lindemann Limetree Network Streamer.

[@Pepo-1969]

If you review that bluesound noee2 please give us your thoghts about using it as a preamp direct to amplifiers. Really considering going that route but would like to hear some experiences about it before spending money!

[@jlutell]

using it for 6 months or so....it's great as the pre-amp for my whole house system as well as a streamer for my main listening room.

[@alanalain4884]

Thank you for your informative video. Would you, or anyone reading this comment, know if there today on the market a system where we can play and memorize I-tune radio stations without having to suffer a 15 to 20 seconds gap when we just want to jump from a station to another ? (Most of my streaming is from I-tune radios stations through a Pioneer Elite SX-N30 receiver which has this gap). Thank you for any insight.

[@musaziz1948]

As a newbie to this streaming thing, thank you for this info. I've started streaming with a Tidal/Bubble uPnP/Raspberry Pi 4b/Volumio/USB DAC. Steep learning curve for me. I'm keen to get an MQA capable USB DAC to play Masters Quality tracks on Tidal (I'm subscribed to this). My question is, will it be able to work with my setup? Cheers John.

[@MrSplit57]

Mus Aziz can you connect hdd to Rpi 4b/Volumio and stream audio files from it?

[@pauldobson4207]

Great video. I use the Chromecast audio myself and although it is fine with BBC Sounds, it's unusable with spotify. The cast cuts off usually after one song. It seems like there are a lot of people suffering from this and one reddit guy questioned Spotify and got the reply that casting isn't supported. Go figure.

[@patrikbjorling4391]

That is Bullocks...Here in Sweden Spotify and Chromecast audio works just fine..Tidal on the other hand🙄

[@lesterrobinson3169]

Roon is awesome BUT it does not implement the native apps as well as the apps themselves. If I add an album in Roon it mirrors in Tidal or Qobuz. But playlists do not mirror. Such a basic oversight. Also the front page of Qobuz or Tidal is (in my opinion) not implemented as well in Roon. I love Roon but these are my minor gripes. Roon Radio is FANTASTIC! I have a Chromecast too and it's fantastic but unreliable. My latest purchase IFI Zen Blue Bluetooth transmitter/DAC is bloody awesome, who would of guessed Bluetooth could sound so good!

[@skalfyfan]

What's your take on Chomecast Built-In technology? Do we think it's here to stay or going to disappear as quickly as it arrives? Am in the market for an integrated amp or streamer and my music streaming service of choice is KZbin Music, but I also enjoy streaming things from Soundcloud, Mixcloud, BBC Radio 1 iPlayer etc. This is forcing me to look at Chromecast Built-In streaming options which are quite limited. Basically either Uniti Atom, SA30, TDAI-1120, or CXN V2 I think. Is it even worth the hassle to think about this if we think Chromecast is going to eventually disappear? You make mention of your Chromecast Audio in this video, but as we all know it's a discontinued product now and the only way to achieve the capability is via built-in now (i think?)

[@marknelson4699]

Great video however for those of us who are abit thick lol, it would be great if you could do a review on the practical side to connecting your streamer to a phone's hotspot. Many thanks🤪

[@zetapal]

Very nice informative video. If you could do a video covering the music quality of all the versions of bluetooth including AptX vs, say Airplay. Also the utilization of say the Intel bluetooth 6 chip found on current motherboards ans running Windows 10, namely, getting Windows to connect to external bluetooth speakers.

[@LeeTanczos]

I was always trying to confirm the quality/bitrate for spotify streamed via my “google chromecast audio” ... indications were that it’s high quality, ogg vorbis, likely 320. Giving up on looking and curious I tried tidal on trial, and I’m generally consuming modern redbook audio.... it’s clearly better quality and putting me off Spotify.. so yes if you say 256 I would agree. So I am minded to end spotify premium subs and take the plunge with paid tidal...

[@stephens8175]

Do you happen to know what the replacement will be for the Auralic?