Squeezebox, any thoughts?

[speedle]

I just bought a Squeezebox to stream FLAC files from my pc to my stereo, and man this thing rocks! Between the 7500 or so songs on my pc and the 5000 or so internet radio stations this thing gets, I won't have time to eat or sleep! Does anybody else have one of these?

[crooner]

Squeezebox is the single most important audio source component of this decade thus far. A true revolution in sound and convenience. I have ripped all my CD collection to FLAC, including the CD layer of my SACDs. I am currently in the process of transferring my LP "Needle Drops" to FLAC as well.

I am using a Lite Audio DAC60 (Burr Brown 1704 based) with NOS 6DJ8 Amperex Bugle Boys with the Squeezebox. The sound is out of this world!

Slim Devices has just released a "High End" version called The Transporter. Looks nice but at $2K is way out of my budget. I am sure that my humble Squeezebox along with my $500 DAC is at least equivalent sonically to this latest offering...

[hpsenicka]

I have a Roku Soundbridge (M500), which is very similar in many respects.

Playing streaming FLAC files, using the Soundbridge to feed an Adcom GDA-600 DAC, the sound quality rivals any high-end CD source I have heard.

[Njord Noatun]

I just bought a Squeezebox to stream FLAC files from my pc to my stereo, and man this thing rocks!
Newby potential FLAC user here: What software do you folks use to convert your CDs to FLAC files? What is the typical file size for a FLAC digitized album (or a song)? Does the Squeezebox (inter alia) have an onboard hard drive to store the FLACs, or do you transmit (Ethernet, 802.11) from PC or external hard drive?

THX!

Rgds,

[crooner]

I use EAC (Exact Audio Copy) with the FLAC frontend, both available free. Any decent CD/DVD-ROM unit should suffice. I am using a "Mad Dog" external USB drive that cost me around $100 (should be cheaper now).

FLAC files are totally lossless, meaning that all the original information is preserved. They are roughly half the size of the raw PCM (WAV) file.

I noticed you are in the San Diego area. You are welcome to check out my system!


Newby potential FLAC user here: What software do you folks use to convert your CDs to FLAC files? What is the typical file size for a FLAC digitized album (or a song)?

THX!

Rgds,

[crooner]

The Squeezebox doesn't include the HD. It uses a remote PC as a server. There are both Ethernet and 802.11G Wireless versions. I use the latter. The advantage of this approach is the ability to place the PC away from the music room. HDs can be quite noisy.

The server can be accessed from any PC connected to the network. I use a laptop machine with the USB DVD-ROM drive attached to it, when ripping CDs. I then copy the resulting FLACs via the wireless network to the server's 300 GB HD. I also keep an external USB 300 GB drive as backup for my files.

The Squeezebox's remote is quite simple. If more functionality is desired you can use a WI-FI Nokia Tablet PC with color screen for the ultimate in remote control.


Does the Squeezebox (inter alia) have an onboard hard drive to store the FLACs, or do you transmit (Ethernet, 802.11) from PC or external hard drive?
THX!
Rgds,

[hpsenicka]

Does the Squeezebox (inter alia) have an onboard hard drive to store the FLACs, or do you transmit (Ethernet, 802.11) from PC or external hard drive?



Neither the Squeezebox or the Soundbridge have an onboard hard disk.

I use a Linksys NSLU2 with a 300Gb USB drive attached to it as my streaming music server... using "unSlung" to create an environment capable of running "Firefly (mt-daapd)". The Firefly software essentially mimics an iTunes service, and suports most popular audio file formats.

I didn't want to keep my PC running all of the time, but I also run a Windows version of Firefly on my PC for testing and playing around.

[Cleve]

Squeezebox is the single most important audio source component of this decade thus far. A true revolution in sound and convenience. I have ripped all my CD collection to FLAC, including the CD layer of my SACDs. I am currently in the process of transferring my LP "Needle Drops" to FLAC as well.


I totally agree. It is revolutionary.

Before I added a Squeezebox to my system, I played my audio system an hour or two per day. Now it's on almost all the time, whenever I'm home. When I'm not playing my ripped CDs, I'm listening to streaming commercial-free net radio via Squeezenetwork (for which no computer is needed).

I wholeheartedly recommend a Squeezebox to any audiophile with decent computer skills. That's the only drawback - computer proficiency is a must.

[uofmtiger]

I wholeheartedly recommend a Squeezebox to any audiophile with decent computer skills. That's the only drawback - computer proficiency is a must.Just a quick question: If you unplug it, does it hold its settings or do you have to re-network it or set it up again? I would probably keep it in my bedroom or kitchen, but would love to take it out to the sunroom and use it with my Sonic T-amp when I am out there.

[Cleve]

Just a quick question: If you unplug it, does it hold its settings or do you have to re-network it or set it up again? I would probably keep it in my bedroom or kitchen, but would love to take it out to the sunroom and use it with my Sonic T-amp when I am out there.


That shouldn't pose a problem. Although it's not truly intended to be a 'portable' like a boombox, if Squeezebox loses power, it automatically reconnects to your wireless network, even if you're using security encryption, and whatever interface you were using previously (Slimserver, or Squeezenetwork)

[dshoaf]

I've been using one now for going on 2 years - an SB2. I'm quite happy with it and have done some dinking around with analog power supplies with it to slightly improve the sound from the onboard DACs. I'm also using it with a Behringer DEQ2496 all-in-one digital proccessor via optical at times, too.

I've surpirsed myself by using more and more of the internet radio station/streams for daily listening. There are some excellent ones at 128K which makes the fidelity ok for long term use. I do have live mixes of some of my bands encoded as well as some of the favorite CDs stored in a 300Gb network drive but mostly use the internet streams.

BTW, the SqueezeNetwork is an excellent way of getting the audio streamed directly to the SB without having to go through your on PC first. Won't work for your FLAC-stored files, though.

I agree re:their new Transporter. It looks great but the incremental price points do not justify the incremental benefit, IMHO. The good thing is that I am able to directly tell the principals at the company how I feel. Try that with someone like Sony or Panasonic.....

Cheers,

David

Cheers,

David

[uofmtiger]

That shouldn't pose a problem. Although it's not truly intended to be a 'portable' like a boombox, if Squeezebox loses power, it automatically reconnects to your wireless network, even if you're using security encryption, and whatever interface you were using previously (Slimserver, or Squeezenetwork)Thanks for the info! :banana:

[speedle]

Just a kinda little post script to my initial comment here, and especially after reading all these posts, the little bugger just rocks, plain and simple. The CEO, Sean Adams is a REAL audio guy, not just some computer geek (not that there's anything wrong with that! Since I am one!), who actually reads and posts frequently to their user forums. And, lastly to the point of this post, if you do get into any trouble the tech support is fantastic, and they really care about your satisfaction and ability to get the most out of the product. :D

[uofmtiger]

Just a kinda little post script to my initial comment here, and especially after reading all these posts, the little bugger just rocks, plain and simple. The CEO, Sean Adams is a REAL audio guy, not just some computer geek (not that there's anything wrong with that! Since I am one!), who actually reads and posts frequently to their user forums. And, lastly to the point of this post, if you do get into any trouble the tech support is fantastic, and they really care about your satisfaction and ability to get the most out of the product. :D
That is great to know! The Squeezebox is on my short list for new audio components.

I am not sure I agree that it is the most important source component this decade, but I have read great things about it. The Turtle Beach Audiotron (and probably others) paved the way for this device, so they should get a lot of the credit.

[Dusty Chalk]

Having recently discovered Pandora (an online streaming service that I have been using as both a version of radio and as a way of discovering new music) and fallen in love with it, I am awaiting a friend of mine getting the Transporter, so I can decide which one I have to get. (Slim Devices' Squeezebox and Pandora work together.)

[FZfan]

I have a SB3 feeding a Musical Fidelity X-DAC on my second system and a Transporter feeding a Mac MDA-1000 through a Behringer DEQ2496 on my main rig. I love them both. :music:

Having finger tip access to ALL my music changed the way I listened. Before this lovely device, I would rotate through a half dozen or so CD's over and over again until I got sick of them; now I'm always listening to something different. A random play list through your entire collection is always interesting (especially with my wierd tastes). :scratch2:

The coolest part is using my Sony PSP as a remote control. It displays all the album art and controls all the server functions. My nephew thinks it's the coolest thing he's ever seen. :smoke:

The Slim Devices CEO Sean Adams is great but I'm curious how the recent sale of the company to Logitec will change things - if at all. :confused:

[uofmtiger]

The coolest part is using my Sony PSP as a remote control. It displays all the album art and controls all the server functions. My nephew thinks it's the coolest thing he's ever seen. :smoke:
Interesting. I already wanted a SB3, now you made me want it (more) and a PSP!! Is it very easy to control a large collection?

[FZfan]

It's very easy. There are different "skins" that can be applied; some are very simple and others have more options. The one that really impresses guests is the album art view. The resolution is good and it's cool to see all the art work. I use one of the more simple skins that allows me to search by artist, album and music type. I can also use my lap top to control both the SB3 and the Transporter with the same screens as the PSP (only larger obviously). The SB3 is a smoking deal for what it will do and how it sounds.

Here's my headphone rig with the SB3 and PSP:

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h192/FZfan/DSC09369.jpg

[Cleve]

As FZfan mentioned, the instant accessability to all my music is yet another remarkable benefit of Squeezebox. No more thumbing through CDs, or taking CDs out of the player and putting it away. As long as you organize your FLAC files in appropriate directories, it only takes a few seconds to find and play any song. And you can listen to everything without ever getting up from the couch or chair.

You really have to experience this first hand to understand how wonderful it is!

If anyone is considering purchasing a Squeezebox, I suggest NOW is the time - the aquisition of Slimdevices by Logitech could change the company's future direction (and products).

[uofmtiger]

It's very easy. There are different "skins" that can be applied; some are very simple and others have more options. The one that really impresses guests is the album art view. The resolution is good and it's cool to see all the art work. I use one of the more simple skins that allows me to search by artist, album and music type. I can also use my lap top to control both the SB3 and the Transporter with the same screens as the PSP (only larger obviously). The SB3 is a smoking deal for what it will do and how it sounds.

Here's my headphone rig with the SB3 and PSP:

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h192/FZfan/DSC09369.jpgGreat setup!

I have used the Slimserver software in the past, so I am guessing that you are using the wifi on the PSP to access the slimserver software and just using their "handheld" skin or something similar? If you can post just a shot of the PSP, that would be appreciated! :thmbsp:

[FZfan]

You're correct - I'm using the wi-fi on the PSP and accessing the slimserver through a dedicated port address. Not the most secure way to go but you can add a password to keep your hacking neighbors out of your system. I have a dedicated music PC that isn't connected to the internet so it's not as big a deal. There is a ton of info over at the Slim Devices forum and this thread is particularly useful http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=20733&highlight=PSP

Here are some (not so great) screen shots of the PSP using one of the many available skins (Handheld I think - the Nokia 770 skin is also very popular):

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h192/FZfan/DSC09446.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h192/FZfan/DSC09448.jpg

...and here's one of the Album Art view on my laptop..

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h192/FZfan/DSC09449.jpg

Hope this helps!

[uofmtiger]

You're correct - I'm using the wi-fi on the PSP and accessing the slimserver through a dedicated port address. Not the most secure way to go but you can add a password to keep your hacking neighbors out of your system. I have a dedicated music PC that isn't connected to the internet so it's not as big a deal. There is a ton of info over at the Slim Devices forum and this thread is particularly useful http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=20733&highlight=PSP

Here are some (not so great) screen shots of the PSP using one of the many available skins (Handheld I think - the Nokia 770 skin is also very popular):

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h192/FZfan/DSC09446.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h192/FZfan/DSC09448.jpg

...and here's one of the Album Art view on my laptop..

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h192/FZfan/DSC09449.jpg

Hope this helps!
That was a great help! Thank you for posting the shots and the link! It does look pretty awesome on the PSP. :thmbsp: