UPnP confusion

[Bryan S]

I'm waiting on delivery of a new DAC, a Gustard R26, and will be changing up my streaming setup. Currently using Tidal Connect through a ZenStream, with an ipad as the controller. The ZenStream goes to my DAC via USB. In the new setup, I'll be running ethernet directly into the R26, and will stream either Tidal or Qobuz. Since there's no Tidal Connect built into the R26, I'm going to have to use a third party app to stream, but I still want to use the ipad (or an Android pad) as the controller.

Apologies, this is all really new territory, my geek is in other areas of the audio world.

I've heard of Bubble UPnP, mConnect, Audirvana, JRiver, and a few others, and I'm pretty confused, so let me lay out my needs/expectations and maybe some kind and knowledgeable soul will save my butt here.

1. Should allow stream direct to the DAC, using the tablet as controller only

2. Interface should be as seamless as possible, and demand as few steps as possible to get the music going, ie not three or four steps before I hit play.

3. App should be currently supported and easy to implement for a pigeon brain like mine, plug und play

I really don't want to go as far as Roon, it's too big a commitment in terms of setting up a core, etc, and I don't really have a LAN, just CDs and streaming.

 

Does anyone have suggestions, or any knowledge to help me understand this landscape a bit more?

Thank you in advance

-Bryan

 

 

Edited October 1, 2022 by Bryan S

[Guest]

There are 3 components, UPnP Server, UPnP Renderer and UPnP Controller.

 

If you do not have local music to be managed, you can skip the Server.  Your R26 will be the Renderer.  You may need to enable UPnP on it, so please check manual.

 

Both BubbleUPnP and mConnect Apps allow you stream Tidal and Qobuz from the Controller directly to the Renderer (R26).  There is no need for the Server.  

 

I purchased the BubbleUPnP App and it is well supported, has regular updates  and will likely be around for a while. I preferred it over mConnect, but it runs only on Android.  Note that in any UPnP setup, you may have to connect to the Renderer and select Tidal/Qobuz.  It is easy to do, but you cannot expect a "generalist" App to connect automatically like Tidal Connect (it does only 1 thing!).  While BubbleUPnP is easy to use,  there will be some adjustment time when you switch over.

 

For your requirements, you can ignore Audirvana and JRiver, which are good music players, but will increase  complexity of your setup and cost extra.

[Bryan S]

Thank you Snoop, that's a very clear and concise explanation. I keep hearing that Bubble UPnP is better than mConnect, so as cheap as Android tablets are, I'll go with Bubble. Since this will be the tablet's only purpose, sounds like it should be easy enough and I'll get used to the extra small bit of inconvenience as opposed to TidalConnect, which works very well.

I really appreciate your help.

[Guest]

Nothing wrong with mConnect, but I preferred the look and feel of BubbleUPnP.  Both Apps have unpaid versions and you may want to borrow an Android pad to try it first.  There are also a few other UPnP apps on Apple as well, but I do not own an Apple device.

 

While I have not used Tidal Connect, I have heard that it is simple and nice to use. (So much so that a recent poster made Tidal Connect mandatory, thereby severely limiting choices).  It will take at least 2 more steps with BubbleUPnP.  There is the choice of Renderer : Local (your tablet) or R26 and choice of library: Local (your tablet) and Cloud (I far prefer Qobuz).  Hopefully, your enjoyment of the R26 will make you forget your previous experience.   

 

Have fun, and please post should you have further questions.

[Nada]

1 hour ago, Bryan S said:

Does anyone have suggestions

 

1 minute ago, Snoopy8 said:

I far prefer Qobuz)

 

Try Qobuz. It usually sound better then Tidal.

[Bryan S]

Absolutely, I'm trialing Qobuz starting this weekend. I hope their music suggestions are at least as good as Tidal (which is mediocre IMO). A lot of people seem to think it sounds better, and I'm not into the MQA thing and don't pay for it so straight ahead hi res should be a nice bump, although it's not that important.

[Nada]

With Qobuz and Apple why dont you try Airplay for UPnP direct connection to the DAC?

[Bryan S]

2 minutes ago, Nada said:

With Qobuz and Apple why dont you try Airplay for UPnP direct connection to the DAC?

TBH, I know nothing about it! Would this be a better alternative to Bubble? Is it pretty likely that Airplay will work with the R26? So odd to be so out of my depths here, this is a totally new world.

[Nada]

4 minutes ago, Bryan S said:

TBH, I know nothing about it! Would this be a better alternative to Bubble? Is it pretty likely that Airplay will work with the R26? So odd to be so out of my depths here, this is a totally new world.

 

Just try it, until you get your Android tablet.   AIrplay is limited to CD quality but will get you going this weekend. 

[Bryan S]

7 minutes ago, Nada said:

 

Just try it, until you get your Android tablet.   AIrplay is limited to CD quality but will get you going this weekend. 

Don't have the R26 yet but I'll try Airplay first before I go crazy buying more gear I don't need. Thanks Nada.