Decision Has Been Made & Ordered - Still One Question

[CDogg]

Ok guys, after serious deliberation, reading as much information as possible, and wearing my mouse out by going back and forth from page to page and website to website, I have finally made a decision on what our next receiver will be... Marantz SR5005.

Since the first receiver was a network receiver, I decided to go with a straight receiver since I won't have to worry about firmware updates. Not sure if this has anything to do with the issue we had, but it was a PITA and several days before I could finally get the firmware updated. IMHO, the more technical a product is the more that can go wrong.

The SR5005 will give more WPC to the Infinity Primus 252 speakers, and we'll be getting a Zone 2 if/when we want to add speakers to the deck which is a nice bonus. I am really excited and cannot wait for the shipment to arrive this Saturday.

Since the SR5005 is not a network receiver, we needed something that will give us internet radio. After going to our local BB store, I decided to get a Roku XS. Even after reading articles, I do not see how this will be possible, which is the reason for this thread. Does anyone use/have used one of these devices, and I would like to read your thoughts/opinions on going this way for internet radio, and did you experience any issues/problems with your unit. I hope I made the right choice in not getting a network receiver, and the Roku was the cheapest way to get internet radio.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[CDogg]

I could really use some advice on this, and would appreciate thoughts/opinions from those who have one.

 

[Actran]

I don't own a Roku box, but am not sure what you're asking. Roku can stream services like Pandora and has an HDMI connection. It seems simple enough that you would hook the box up to your receiver via an HDMI cable and set your receiver source to that HDMI input. Am I missing someting in your request? If you get a good universal remote you could probably manage to merge your roku and receiver remotes.

I'm personally a big fan of the networked receiver for a bunch of reasons. I listen to a lot of internet radio and having a networked receiver lets me control source selection, internet radio and pandora, volume, and even zones all from my phone. That's pretty nice when sitting on the patio and I want to turn the outdoor speakers on (or when pandora chooses and awful song and I want to skip it). I don't have to run upstairs to the media room or run an IR repeater or anything like that.

With a little work, I'm sure you can merge the Roku Box and your receiver into a pretty seamless solution. I just like things very simple and the networked receiver was definitely simple.

 

[CDogg]

To be honest that was the same concept I had when I ordered the Onkyo TX-NR509. At the time I had no idea of the problems/issues Onkyo was having with their receivers. The first problem I had was installing the firmware update. It took me 3-4 days before I was able to get it installed, which should not have taken that long. Next was the buffering, or a pause in playing. This would happen several times depending on how long the receiver had been on. I posted on the Onkyo forum about my problem, and there was no information to find. I contacted Crutchfield, which is where I bought the receiver, and the tech would help me resolve the issue, but only for a short time. The buffering/pausing issue got worse to where the receiver will not come on now. With a network receiver there is too much that can go wrong with having internet access, firmware updates however often. This why I decided to go with a regular audio receiver and eliminate the ethernet port, and get the cheapest product I could find that will give us internet radio. As for the Roku, I don't know how I will be able to use this and not my TV connected. It's all a learning process with the hopes of success in the end. We will see.

 

[BMXTRIX]

Denon/Marantz receivers suck with their online 'capabilities'. At first I put 'online' in quotes, but then I changed it... Yeah, it can go online, it can get firmware updates, it can stream stuff, but capabilities is a different story. It doesn't deliver a solid user experience and is a real POS in the world that Apple has given us.

In that world, I have an AppleTV and it works great for delivering Internet radio stations - I mean, just damn awesome.

Roku has 63 different ways to deliver music and Internet radio to you... So, what you want to do is take your Roku player, hook it up to a WIRED Internet connection, and make sure you don't have cruddy Internet service...

Then sit back and enjoy.

I have zero issues with Pandora with my iPhone n my home, and no issues when I take that to Airplay and my AppleTV. My AppleTV has no issues with Internet radio stations, and I've been very happy overall. My iPhone is wireless, the AppleTV is hard wired. It all works really well in my home network.

 

[CDogg]

Hi Paul... I have come to the same conclusion as you that internet receivers are POS when it comes to internet radio. This is the reason I decided to get a standard audio receiver with the Marantz SR5005, and get an extra component for internet radio. I thought Roku would be the way to go. Once I got it home and went to Roku's website, it became apparent that you need some sort of display device such as TV or computer monitor. If I wanted to include the TV, I would not have placed it in a different room in the house. I wanted music upstairs in the living room and TV downstairs in the family room. So, back to BestBuy today to return it and get a refund.

After doing some research and reading reviews (I have no idea how this became a link), I believe I have found my answer. I have narrowed it down to three components. They are Grace Digital Tuner/Grace Digital Tuner Pro, Denon DNP-720AE, or Marantz NA7004.

Grace Digital Tuner/ Grace Digital Tuner Pro:
These are considered a Wireless Wi-Fi Internet Radio Tuner. Either one would be the cheapest way to go. Once difference between these or Marantz/Denon is they will also stream movies if/when you want to add a TV.

Denon DNP-720AE or Marantz NA7004:
These are considered a Network Digital Music Player. Either one will give you numerous amount of music items, and you also get some talk radio channels, that is if you prefer this as an option to your listening pleasure. One minor drawback is the Grace Digital Tuners offer NPR Radio.

There are those who are lovers/haters of each component. The Grace Digitals are the cheapest option. However Denon/Marantz, especially Marantz, would be an ideal option since they are recognized as a reliable company that offer great products, and would be an ideal match with my Marantz receiver. Ok, decisional paralysis has set in and my brain is on overload. I would like to read your thoughts/opinions about which one would be the best way to go. You probably know which way I am leaning, but I am still open to any/all options you may have. I am looking to order either tomorrow or Monday.

Any/All comments will be appreciated!

 

[CDogg]

Well, I made me decision and went with the Denon over Marantz for a cheaper price, and was able to get an open box that saved me $30. Every little bit helps when you have limited funds. Hopefully by Wednesday, music will be in the air.

 

[Actran]

Good to hear. I hope it works out for you. It's a slightly different animal but with my denon AVR on the wired network, it streams great. I've never had any connectivity or buffering issues. I'm sure their standalone music player uses much the same tech so I hope it works well for you.

i have to second the WIRED connection BMX suggested. Wireless just doesn't compare in terms of capacity or reliability. Despite how much "simpler" wireless seems, you may find yourself disappointed in the long run and it won't be the streaming device's fault (necessarily)

 

[Grador]

Unless the distance from your access point is fairly large [more related to number of walls than actual distance], and/or your access point isn't very good wireless should be more than sufficient for music streaming. If you've already got a wireless access point there's not harm in trying it anyway.

If you do end up with streaming dropouts trying a wired network would be my second troubleshooting step though. [First is always checking internet connection is operating properly]

 

[CDogg]

The Marantz will be hard wired just like the Onkyo. The router sits on top of the audio credenza for easy connection. Our computers are running wireless within 15 feet of the router. REally looking forward to having music in the air this week.

 

[CDogg]

Thought I would share the latest on what's been happening. The Onkyo has been replaced by the Marantz SR5005. To solve the internet radio issue, I purchased a Denon DNP-720AE Network Audio Player, which my wife called and informed me it has arrived. Music will be in the air this evening!! It has been a long couple of months without music, much too long.