streaming stereos - suggestions?

[abdoujaparov]

Is there any deterioration of sound on any of these set-ups? I'm intrigued as well...so far I've stuck with using my i-pod(s)

[abdoujaparov]

after much consideration I've decided that I'm not going to pursue the streaming stereo idea for the moment, and will wait until the prices come down and the functionality improves (cos they're both currently much worse than they will be a few years from now).

Instead I'm going to work something off the computers I have around the house, and the best way to give the flexibility I want in using those will be to get some wireless speakers.

So does anyone have any experience of wireless speakers, and can tell me anything good or bad about them in general or specific models?

[eFestivals]

out of genuine interest, what additional functionality do you think is possible/desirable?

the ability to read a network drive directly (without having to use uPnP or similar) - why run extra and unnecessary software? - along with a screen that's actually decent for accessing a huge digital music library and to easily create playlists from that library.

I'm perhaps hoping for too much that dedicated streaming devices will ever have a screen that's up to that job, but for me that's the most important part of any system. It's a bit bleeding pointless to spend a fortune on a device but then not use it much because accessing what you want to listen to is too much of a chore.

if you do something direct from a compuer/computers, the sound quality will be governed by the quality of your soundcard - unless you decide to use an offboard DAC. Sound quality may not be particularly important to you, of course, I will happily admit to being slightly anal about these things, but recognise that that may be a persoanl failing

yeah, I'm aware of that - but the PC that'll get mostly used as the source has a decent-ish soundcard in it (it cost around £80, tho it's 5+ years old now) ... and when it comes down to it, that's probably as good a sound source as something like the squeezebox is likely to have within it.

I've just read a little about wireless speakers and it's quickly obvious that the analogue RF ones are to be avoided because of interference.

So it's a toss-up between bluetooth ones which have a wireless range of about 10m, or a digital 2.4GHz system which has about a 20m range.

[windy_miller]

on a PC - my point was that the Sonos system has its own server software, you dont need itunes or anything 3rd party to act as a server

you can plug the Sonos into your existing stereo - that's exactly how I use it. There are various different types of Sonos box. The basic one you plug into your own amp, there's one with a built-in amp you just hook speakers to and then there's the all in one job.

[eFestivals]

That's exactly like the squeezebox then, which also has its own server software that you run on a PC or a NAS.

yep - and amusingly it's a 3rd party which abdoujaparov says it doesn't need, but actually does.

But there's no necessity for it. There's no reason at all why these things can't just access a network disk directly, using just the OS that is controlling the disk for access to that disk.

I've got a couple of twenty five quid DAB radios that will access network disks directly - which gets to show just how low-level and cheap stuff like this is (so why do the likes of the squeezebox and similar systems cost a packet? ) - but with the tiny screens on those radios it's impractical to use them for streaming my mp3s from my network server

It's the screens which make or break these streaming systems. I've yet to see any that look like they're practical for anything except a small music library.

[windy_miller]

yep - and amusingly it's a 3rd party which abdoujaparov says it doesn't need, but actually does.

But there's no necessity for it. There's no reason at all why these things can't just access a network disk directly, using just the OS that is controlling the disk for access to that disk.

I've got a couple of twenty five quid DAB radios that will access network disks directly - which gets to show just how low-level and cheap stuff like this is (so why do the likes of the squeezebox and similar systems cost a packet? ) - but with the tiny screens on those radios it's impractical to use them for streaming my mp3s from my network server

It's the screens which make or break these streaming systems. I've yet to see any that look like they're practical for anything except a small music library.

[eFestivals]

Have you looked at the Squeezebox Touch? That's the one I'm eyeing up at the moment. All the reviews I have read are favourible and none of them mention any problems using the screen.

yeah - in many ways that's the top of my list, but it's just a selection method and designed to plug into an existing stereo for output isn't it?

So it ends up just being £300 for a touchscreen - and it would be cheaper to buy an Android tablet or even an iPad, plus you'd get extra functionality with those.

I agree though, someone needs to release a DNLA/uPnP player with a decent screen.

See above. You can get Android tablets for around £50.

Edited March 8, 2012 by eFestivals

[windy_miller]

yeah - in many ways that's the top of my list, but it's just a selection method and designed to plug into an existing stereo for output isn't it?

So it ends up just being £300 for a touchscreen - and it would be cheaper to buy an Android tablet or even an iPad, plus you'd get extra functionality with those.

See above. You can get Android tablets for around £50.

[eFestivals]

Yeah I did think the same thing, however a cheap Android tablet is probably not going to sound that great.

I doubt much more effort has gone into the squeezebox's DAC. It's likely to be about the equivalent of a ten quid soundcard.

[eFestivals]

yep, the Touch's internal DAC is pretty pants from what I'm reading - tho it does have a digital output if you've got (I haven't) an amp with a digital imput, and that apparently works very well.

[windy_miller]

yep, the Touch's internal DAC is pretty pants from what I'm reading - tho it does have a digital output if you've got (I haven't) an amp with a digital imput, and that apparently works very well.

[abdoujaparov]

That's exactly like the squeezebox then, which also has its own server software that you run on a PC or a NAS.

[abdoujaparov]

yep - and amusingly it's a 3rd party which abdoujaparov says it doesn't need, but actually does.

It's the screens which make or break these streaming systems. I've yet to see any that look like they're practical for anything except a small music library.

[windy_miller]

If you say so - honestly, I'll believe you because the techno geekery bit of all of this is not my strength. All I know is that the Sonos is much much easier to use than the Squeezebox (at least I found it so)...it just works, whereas the Squeezebox had a habit of trying my patience. You can run Sonos staright off a NAS, which I dont think you can do with Squeezebox, and the old style controller I've got is fine for handling a big music library. I also like the fact that you can stream different music to different zones

but it's all a matter of preference. I like what I've got and I'm not trying to sell it to anyone

[eFestivals]

You can run Sonos staright off a NAS, which I dont think you can do with Squeezebox

yeah, you can - but in both instances 3rd party software (essentially, server software) is needed to be installed on the NAS to talk to the device.

(from what I've read, being able to to use a NAS for a squeezebox is something that was added later on, it wasn't possible at all points in time).

[windy_miller]

I've just bought myself a NAS (I've been thinking of buying one anyway). I'm going to put the squeezebox software on it, and then install an android app that can talk to it on my phone and see how it gets on. If I'm suitibly impressed, then I may invest in a Touch.

Neil, you mentioned some cheap DAB radios that can access a network share... what make/model are they?

Edited March 8, 2012 by windy_miller

[eFestivals]

Neil, you mentioned some cheap DAB radios that can access a network share... what make/model are they?

It's a Clarus Plus (maybe a Clarus Plus Magicbox?) .... I bought two a few years ago when I spotted them (on Amazon I think) but I've got a feeling I bought the last ones available - I actually tried to buy three but only two ever arrived (I was refunded for the third).

This is almost it ....

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=magicbox+clarus+plus&tag=googhydr-21&index=aps&hvadid=8294889729&hvpos=1t3&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6308746761689837693&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&ref=pd_sl_8gcscpel7w_b

.... but the one I have doesn't have FM radio, it's just DAB, and mine is silver. As I said, I paid £25 each for them, but they were on special or clearance or something.

[eFestivals]

found the model like mine

http://www.avreview.co.uk/news/article/mps/uan/2124

That says it's an £80 retail. Seems I got a bargain (I did post about them on here at the time).

[eFestivals]

Found some wireless speakers I'd buy in an instant....

JBL On Air Control 2.4G Wireless Speaker System

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/jbl-on-air-control-2-4g-wireless-speaker-system-02902920-pdt.html

They were £55 at PC World / Dixons, etc ... but sold out.

They still exist tho ... but at £150. That's one hell of a difference, too much difference for me to feel I can buy them at that price. I've searched and searched and searched and searched, but can't find them anywhere at less than £150.

[Paul ™]

found the model like mine

http://www.avreview....le/mps/uan/2124

That says it's an £80 retail. Seems I got a bargain (I did post about them on here at the time).

[eFestivals]

I remember you posting about them and getting the last of them.. never forgave you

they're great DAB radios for the price I paid (£25).

I never use the other features on them now tho - internet radio and the ability to stream from my network drives. They're too much of a chore to bother with.

[windy_miller]

Well I finally got round to buying a squeezebox touch, and was very impressed with it.... until it broke last night It just refuses to turn on any more. I've had it less than a month so its going back to Amazon for a replacement. Hopefully the next one should last a bit longer!