It streams music to speakers
The Network Music Streamer is connected to speakers, old fashioned wired Hi-Fi speakers or Bluetooth speakers or Bluetooth headphones. The music is streamed over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi from your devices to the the Streamer. You can stream any audio app on your devices, media and music players as well as streaming services like Pandora, Qobuz, Tidal, Google Play, Spotify and others, radio stations, podcasts, . . . you can even insert a USB flash memory stick with some music. Maybe the best thing is that the Streamer directly supports Spotify (apps and their web player). That means that the Streamer is one of the devices you can choose by using the settings of the actual Spotify app (inside the app itself). The streaming is then even more seamlessly integrated in the Spotify app and gives you the full listening experience. Retro Audiophile Designs recommends the Spotify app as the preferred way to enjoy music.
It is an amplifier
The Streamer converts digital audio streams from your apps into analogue sound which is amplified (2 x 35 W). The Network Music Streamer is remotely controlled by your apps and devices, which means that streaming, playback and settings are done from your apps and devices. Any sound, any audio can be streamed. The only functional button on the Streamer is the on and off button, everything else is done remotely. E.g. you turn on and off the Streamer with the original on-off button.
It is a computer
The Network Music Streamer basically consists of a computer with a CPU, a digital-analogue converter, an amplifier and some software. It is a small and highly specialized computer system. It is designed to be far more robust than an ordinary PC and it is. However, in order to be fully functional the Streamer relies on external systems as well as a stable Wi-Fi network, Bluetooth, your devices for remote control and also a decent Internet access. The Streamer software is mainly used for receiving digital audio streams and convert them into analogue sound that is amplified or to transmit them with Bluetooth to a connected Bluetooth speaker or Bluetooth headphone. As an option, instead of directly streaming from your apps you can use the Streamer software for playback of the content of an attached USB stick as well. The Streamer software provides you with a web based user interface for playback. It is a USB music file player. More importantly the Streamer software is used for connecting to Bluetooth speakers and Bluetooth headphones as well as all aspects of settings of the Network Music Player (turn Bluetooth on or off, connect to or disconnect Wi-Fi, set the start-up volume, restart e.t.c.). The Streamer’s user interface for the settings are also web based and you reach them through any web browser on your devices.