No Squeezebox...what now?

[cubdog]

I'll stick with my Squeezeboxes as long as they are viable. They suit my need perfectly and I have to much invested in them to jump ship before it's necessary.

cubdog

 

[MWalt]

I have been trying to avoid reading these threads because I am very committed to the squeezebox platform. I only own a duet and a classic but the classic is modified by Boulder Audio and was expensive.

If I had to do this again, I would likely use a good quality dac and a custom built PC as more of an all-in-one solution. I would definitely locate the PC outside of the room or in an enclosure that absorbs sound. I like the DAC situation because there are multiple inputs and I could use it to decode for my TV too.

That said, having my system based around streaming and lossless files is a wonderful thing. I absolutely love it.

This is exactly my plan if my SBT ever goes tits up...

I'll stick with my Squeezeboxes as long as they are viable. They suit my need perfectly and I have to much invested in them to jump ship before it's necessary.

cubdog

Me too. I am the first to admit that I am a shameless Squeeze Box fanboy.

 

[BGRoberts]

+1 for being a SB fanboy.
I may have panicked a bit when I heard they were being discontinued.
I sought out some used stuff for "backup".
I now have 3 Duets, 2 Touch's, and 1 Classic.
4 of the units are up and running on different systems, so not a LOT of excess.
I love 'em!
~BG

 

[AlphaEcho35]

Another vote for Sonos.I have the ZP90 - now called the Connect. I feed the output via optical through a Schiit Bifrost to my amp. I play FLAC files from my Windows Home Server and stream MOG. Hands down a super easy and trouble free device. I have been using it for a couple of years now and find it worth every penny of the purchase price. The software interface can be used on just about any device and is excellent. You can easily link up multiple systems in different rooms if you like as well.

 

[PAGS]

All the CAPS stuff is here;

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/

I too think a computer with external DAC is the way to go - costs a little more up-front but extremely flexible, pretty future-proof, lots of upgrade potential, won't be 'discontinued/abandoned' and from what I've heard, can sound amazing.

Here's a link to where you can buy the CAPS CPUs Bill referred to:

http://shop.smallgreencomputer.com/Computer-Audiophile-Pocket-Server_c5.htm

Very intriguing, and not outrageously priced. Too bad Santa already came.:sigh:

 

[jhildred]

I am aware of one manufacturer looking at offering something along the lines of a hi-res capable Sonos. But it isn't launched yet so I can't name names and frankly some of these things never reach production anyway (although these guys seem to have their sh@t together).

If only Sooloos would allow you to use your own storage they would be a real no brainer with their 'cheap' ($1k) player. If you ever get a chance to play with their UI you'll see why I believe it beats even the PC/J-river type solutions. Their metadata extends much deeper than anyone else and the browsing capabilities are awesome for large libraries . . of course if you want to listen to Pandora you're screwed . . .

 

[KentTeffeteller]

Build you a rack mounted desktop PC with room for lots of hard drives and a good, pro level sound card or digital out solution to a DAC. Which you can use your favorite software for playback, ripping, editing, etc. Can handle large libraries too and with the correct DAC or sound card, high res.

 

[ldatlof]

I like the computer, in my case a laptop, to use as a server. You don't need a lot of computing power so you can buy a cheap used laptop or computer. My laptop uses a Pentium M chip.

I run LMS and squeezeslave into my main stereo system via an outboard DAC. Only drawback is that squeezeslave only plays 16/44. It will play higher res files but they are downsampled to 16/44. Not a problem for me since the vast majority of my music is 16/44. I went with the squeezebox system because I also have a Duet and Classic in the house.

If you don't have any squeezeboxes your options are vast if you want to set up a computer based server system. The future is very bright for computer based audio

 

[2string1]

I like all the options for internet radio with the Touch. Can you get them with a computer as a server and no Touch?

 

[dumptruck]

The internet radio streams do not require any server, or even any squeezebox-related software at all. Just a computer with internet and any audio player that plays streams.

 

[cubdog]

It was the convenience, versitility, sound quality and relative low cost that set the Touch apart. I'm still hopeful someone will fill the void with a similar product. I know Sonos is available but they are pretty expensive and don't really offer anything above and beyond the SBT.

cubdog

 

[JoeDotCom]

I'm in the process of setting up Squeezeplay on the laptop I use as a music player in the kitchen. holy jumping. The software is exactly like my Squeezebox Touch. I can even control it from the normal Squeezebox app on my phone.

I think this will be my solution for a while now. I have the Squeezebox Touch and nice DAC in my listening room. and then I will set up a few computers in strategic locations running Squeezeplay so that my music library will be available in all locations that I have music.


Sent via mobile

 

[Rockyhill]

Timely thread, as I recently won a contest by TONEAudio magazine and a Sonos PLAY:3 is being delivered today. Just getting my toes wet with this topic.

 

[ldatlof]

I'm in the process of setting up Squeezeplay on the laptop I use as a music player in the kitchen. holy jumping. The software is exactly like my Squeezebox Touch. I can even control it from the normal Squeezebox app on my phone.

I think this will be my solution for a while now. I have the Squeezebox Touch and nice DAC in my listening room. and then I will set up a few computers in strategic locations running Squeezeplay so that my music library will be available in all locations that I have music.


Sent via mobile

This may be one reason why the Squeezebox touch was discontinued. Why buy it if you can get it for free?

 

[PAGS]

Timely thread, as I recently won a contest by TONEAudio magazine and a Sonos PLAY:3 is being delivered today. Just getting my toes wet with this topic.

Here's a good book for getting your feet wet in the digital music pond.

As far as I can tell, it's the ONLY recent book on the subject. Some sections are pretty basis, but overall, it's a decent reference to have around.

 

[kirk57]

This may be one reason why the Squeezebox touch was discontinued. Why buy it if you can get it for free?

Again, unless you have a computer in the same room as the stereo, this is not the same as the SB touch (or Duet) which streams the content from the PC on the network to the player via 802.11 (or ethernet)

If the computer is in the same room as the stereo, there are several options.

 

[ldatlof]

Again, unless you have a computer in the same room as the stereo, this is not the same as the SB touch (or Duet) which streams the content from the PC on the network to the player via 802.11 (or ethernet)

If the computer is in the same room as the stereo, there are several options.

You can hook a computer to your stereo and install squeezeplay (which looks like the interface of the SBT and the Duet Controller). Squeezeplay will stream your files, internet radio or internet subscription (the content) via its computer's WiFi card from another computer (the server) on the network.

Yes, a computer can be the server and player, this how I am setup, but it doesn't have to be.

On might say that a laptop is much bigger than a SBT and therefore, there is a difference. However, a Raspberry Pi can be used as a squeezebox player and it has a smaller footprint than a SBT or Duet.

 

[KrisM]

So, with one of these squeeze______ programs, a tablet can do what a squeezebox can do?

 

[dumptruck]

So, with one of these squeeze______ programs, a tablet can do what a squeezebox can do?

Yes, as limited (or not) by its own audio capabilities, but that's kind of stating it backward. A squeezebox is nothing more than a little purpose-designed computer. It exists to do what a computer can do at a low cost and with some convenience/usability advantages. Lots of people were doing the same thing for a long time before anything like the squeezebox came along.

 

[kpaxfaq]

I love my squeezebox touch, I was disappointed they discontinued it but at the same time am not surprised.