entex
Active Member
How do you like the amplified units? I was thinking about getting one for the bedroom to drive some bookshelves for my TV and then have the ability to use it as a zone player as well.
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Logitech Squeezebox vs. Sonos Connect - A few questions
- Thread starter entex
- Start date
How do you like the amplified units? I was thinking about getting one for the bedroom to drive some bookshelves for my TV and then have the ability to use it as a zone player as well.
No, MOG has two levels of subscription $5 & $10. The only difference is that the $10 level gives you operation on things like Smartphones and such other mobile devices. The $5 level will give you the same unlimited use at the same stream rate and they don't consider the Sonos or Squeezebox mobile devices, so you can use them at the $5 level.
MOG alao does not carry Beatles or Led Zep (I haven't tried looking for Metallica). I believe it's a "rights" issue or licensing or something, I don't know. However, that's nothing compared to what is available.
I don't know if the SBT can be operated from i-devices. I imagine there must be an app out there for them too.
I think you can do the same with the SBT (multi SBTs) as the Sonos. I'm not clear on that though since I have not had the need.
dnewma04
The Healer
:lmao:
Yep, you threw me off completely. I would have never guessed it wasn't a sonos vs squeezebox when I clicked on the title.
bhamham
Super Member
I love my SBs - got 4 - 2 SB1s, a classic wired-only, and a Duet. Had the Touch for a bit but traded for the Duet that suits my situation better. I like running the SB1s to a couple of old vintage tube radios where I've fixed a mini-jack input. It can be trying to network older & newer versions of SBs together.
I'm a piker compared to most with only a couple of thousand albums - all flac. Mostly just randomly play my albums/songs don't do streaming.
Never heard of Sonos until I came upon this thread - seems like a good product. SB can be a bit of a fiddle but it's good stuff.
I'm a piker compared to most with only a couple of thousand albums - all flac. Mostly just randomly play my albums/songs don't do streaming.
Never heard of Sonos until I came upon this thread - seems like a good product. SB can be a bit of a fiddle but it's good stuff.
MWalt
Super Member
Me too. I lost a lot in a divorce a while back. What media I have now is a mere pittance compared to before. Having less media makes things easier to manage!
njcanuck
aka: MacGyver
There are at least two i-device apps available to operate SBTs. A free one from Logitech itself which closely mimics its server interface and a really excellent paid one from iPeng. For a little extra $ the iPeng app even has a player plugin the will let you play your entire server library over the network on the i-device (including flac, etc.). I have these apps running on my iPhone, iPad and and iPod Touch - ultra convenient.
MWalt
Super Member
Good information! I am going to check it out. :thmbsp:
njcanuck
aka: MacGyver
A note on the server side of things: I built a very small, fanless, silent media server using one of the Intel Atom based mother boards for approx $100 (could be a little more or less depending on what spare parts you have lying around). It runs continuously 24/7 and flawlessly. It never hiccups streaming music and is pretty quick at scanning the library. One tip I've discovered when adding new music is to always chose the option to 'Clear and Rescan the library'. This is MUCH quicker than 'Look for Changes'
I don't think you can go wrong with either system. I have 3 SB units running and have not experience any issues at all.
I don't think you can go wrong with either system. I have 3 SB units running and have not experience any issues at all.
njcanuck
aka: MacGyver
My wife loves the iPad app when we entertain. She and her friends continously scan the library for their favorites and then hit the 'Play Next' option to keep the tunes rolling. Keeps them entertained all evening!
I currently have 25K (and growing) tracks in my library. No limit on Squeezebox server that I am aware of.
NumbDiver
Super Member
I own ZP100 and ZP120. The 100 runs Canton CT80 in the upstairs hallway, the 120 runs NHT SB3 in the kitchen. It comes down to synergy. They are both class D (I've never found a stand alone class D amp for my main system I could live with). The ZP120/SB3 combo is absolutely amazing. The NHT are very inefficient, but if driven well they perform nicely. The ZP120 drives them wonderfully with a great hold on the bass. Usually class D rolls off on the highs too much for me; not so with the ZP120. Maybe the SB3 tweeter would be a bit hot with the wrong amp, I don't know. But that combo is stellar. Power to almost put you out of the room. It's spent many party evenings at 100% volume level driving the NHTs while we drink/dance/sing. Never faltered, never sounds over-driven. In all aspects; great. Not the end-all in overall resolution, but that is what my 2 channel main system is for. The ZP100 is great as well, just a bit bigger (and a bit less output but I've never used it all anyway).
The ZP120 in the kitchen has a line-in from the TV as well. Cool thing about that, is not only can we use the NHT for morning TV, but we also send the TV audio around the house and listen while we get ready in the am.
Sorry if I sounded like a fanboy, as well as made it sound like a Sonos vs SB thread. Not my intention. I love everything about my Sonos, but am still terribly disappointed by no ability to run 24/96 and 24/192 through it. But after spending time with a few Squeeze systems as well (which can stream hi-res); my vote is still very pro-Sonos. I just have to route the Hi-res stuff directly to my dac. If iTunes or someone else finally starts to stream hi-res music, I may have to change my tune unless Sonos comes out with some type of option.
Great thread folks! Lots of excellent information! :thmbsp: Thank you all!
I am looking for a way to stream my iTunes libraries that are stored on a NAS (Netgear ReadyNas Duo). The SONOS seems like it is the answer but now the Squeezebox looks interesting too. The NAS can stream Apple lossless iTunes libraries but I don't recall what the service is called at the moment. I listen to them via several PCs, an old XP laptop, and an iMac, all connected to a wired network. It all works great. So adding another device for a new system is on my short list of things that need to be done.
I can easily have an ethernet connection available where this new system is located, and even though I don't necessarily need it, there is also a good secure wireless network available in my home. The question that I am struggling with is, rather than living with and learning new hardware and another user interface, why not just get a small inexpensive laptop (even a used one) with a USB port for an external DAC, and use it to run iTunes locally using the same libraries located on the NAS? The iPhone and iPad can then be used to control it as a remote control. Keeping things simple as possible while being able to stream lossless files -- and the ability to have handheld remote control like the iPhone is the goal for me.
Sonos? Squeezebox? Laptop? After reading all of the great information in this thread and a good bit elsewhere, my head hurts!
I am looking for a way to stream my iTunes libraries that are stored on a NAS (Netgear ReadyNas Duo). The SONOS seems like it is the answer but now the Squeezebox looks interesting too. The NAS can stream Apple lossless iTunes libraries but I don't recall what the service is called at the moment. I listen to them via several PCs, an old XP laptop, and an iMac, all connected to a wired network. It all works great. So adding another device for a new system is on my short list of things that need to be done.
I can easily have an ethernet connection available where this new system is located, and even though I don't necessarily need it, there is also a good secure wireless network available in my home. The question that I am struggling with is, rather than living with and learning new hardware and another user interface, why not just get a small inexpensive laptop (even a used one) with a USB port for an external DAC, and use it to run iTunes locally using the same libraries located on the NAS? The iPhone and iPad can then be used to control it as a remote control. Keeping things simple as possible while being able to stream lossless files -- and the ability to have handheld remote control like the iPhone is the goal for me.
Sonos? Squeezebox? Laptop? After reading all of the great information in this thread and a good bit elsewhere, my head hurts!
I see no reason why not in your case.
entex
Active Member
The iTunes-Iphone remote control app hasn't been very reliable in my experience. Each time the computer went on standby or a playlist ended or something, it just stops working until I go back to the computer and fiddle with it...disconnect/reconnect to the wifi or something. Also, this route neglects the option to use online radio services and sync/control multiple stereos at once. For the price of a laptop as a dedicated wirelessly controlled media player, I'd much prefer an SBT or Sonos since they open up many more options and now you can access your single library to as many stereos as you want.
I can't speak for SBT, but the Sonos interface is crazy simple to use. It's wayyyy more intuitive than itunes itself.
I can't speak for SBT, but the Sonos interface is crazy simple to use. It's wayyyy more intuitive than itunes itself.
I chose the Sonos for it's Mac-like simplicity and reliability. It uses it's own proprietary wireless network protocol that does not interfere with the usual household wireless networks. I've owned it for over two years and have never had a problem with it. Add to that, me and my wife can control the interface over practically ANY device - PC and MAC laptops, an IPad, Android phones and IPhones.
I have often thought about getting a Squeezebox just to have one to compare, but just like the Sonos, they don't come up second-hand very often.
Back to the previous poster talking about using a laptop - spend the money on a Sonos or Squeezebox - much less hassle no matter which one you go with!
I have often thought about getting a Squeezebox just to have one to compare, but just like the Sonos, they don't come up second-hand very often.
Back to the previous poster talking about using a laptop - spend the money on a Sonos or Squeezebox - much less hassle no matter which one you go with!
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entex
Active Member
I kind of wish the Sonos Connect receivers were a little cheaper. They're simply a wireless receiver with a mediocre onboard DAC. If they were like $150, I'd have bought 3 of them by now.
Yeah, I'm with you on that. They are pricey. I need at least one more, but at $350 a pop, they are very expensive.