2. pc-audio
  3. 129350-10077

Server/Renderer vs. Oppo's simple app

Hey all ...  I'm going to dive into music downloads and Tidal so I've been doing my research on what do I need to get started... So its clear that we need a DAC, amp, speakers, file storage, and internet... but what I'm confused with is the front end... Oppo has a DAC (Sonica DAC) that has a simple app that can stream Tidal from the internet and can read your downloads and play them for you , while there's a lot of dedicated server/renderers out there for big bucks to perform the same tasks as Oppo's app...  So my question is why should I spend thousands for a server/renderer when I can get it for free ?  Did Oppo break the unwritten audio law of a simple app is all you need ? Is there an sound advantage of buying a dedicated serv/render ? Has anyone have the Sonica and tried both ways, with vs. without ?  The only reason I can think of why people would buy a renderer/server is because they already have a DAC that they like and/or tricked into thinking they need a separate unit...

thx in advance and value your input(s)

P.S.  it seems with the money I save on the renderer I can use it mod the Sonica (Modwright)
oem-wheels

Showing 1 response by nhtran

nhtran
45 posts
 
Slight correction to the comment above:
Tidal streams directly to the DAC and not through the Sonica app.  The app is only a 'control point' (to use DLNA terminology).

What you gain in simplicity by using the Sonica, you lose in functionality.  For example, I miss the convolution/DSP/upsampling ability of Audirvana and/or JRiver.  This is the biggest compromise for me.

Also the Sonica app's library management is much more basic compared to dedicated music players such as iTunes, JRiver or Audirvana.  It can organize by artist/album/genre and create playlist, but that's about it.
 
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